Is Leslie from Gumball a Boy or Girl?
Leslie is often mistaken for a girl due to his feminine traits and appearance. He is a male character, despite the confusion.
Described as a delicate flower, Leslie is part of Miss Simian’s class at Elmore Junior High and is also Penny’s cousin. His character is a pink flower rooted in a blue flowerpot.
- Many people confuse him for a girl due to:
- His feminine traits,
- His falsetto voice,
- His name.
Furthermore, Leslie’s character sheds light on gender complexities—while identified as male, his effeminate appearance and personality might reference the hermaphroditic nature of plants, which are technically both male and female.
Interestingly, in various languages and episodes, there have been inconsistencies regarding his gender. For instance, in some episodes in France, he is depicted as male, while in others, he is portrayed as female.
This ambiguity enhances Leslie’s character within the series, as he is confirmed to have a crush on Alan, indicating that he is gay.
Exploring Leslie’s Gender Identity in Gumball
Leslie is a gay character from The Amazing World of Gumball. It is heavily implied that Leslie is gay.
- In “The Mustache”, when Gumball became buff, he was amazed by Gumball clenching his butt.
- In “The Pressure”, he and the girls wanted to find boyfriends to kiss. During this, he is heard saying, “Yeah, I made him up too,” indicating a playful dismissal of reality in their crushes.
Furthermore, Leslie seems to have an attraction to Alan. This is shown in:
- “The Upgrade”, where Bobert ties Alan to Leslie and states they are married. Neither Leslie nor Alan seem discomforted by this situation.
- “The Saint”, where “Alan” kisses several Elmore Junior High students, including Tobias, Banana Joe, and Leslie. While other students reacted with disgust, Leslie appeared extremely happy about it.
It is also notable that Leslie seemed to have a crush on Banana Joe. Specifically, when Bobert married Leslie to Alan in “The Saint”, Leslie told Banana Joe he had his chance, leaving Banana Joe confused.
Additionally, Leslie fits the ‘flower boy’ archetype, characterized as a male character with an effeminate appearance and personality. Thus, his identity can be expressed as:
- Gender Identity: Male
- Sexual Identity: Gay
- Pronouns: He/Him
Overall, Leslie has been explicitly shown to be gay throughout the series. A single frame from “The Saint” that was almost completely cut out confirms for the first time that Leslie has a crush on Alan, validating the audience’s previous assumptions about his sexuality.
Is Leslie a Trans Character in The Amazing World of Gumball?
Leslie’s gender identity in The Amazing World of Gumball is ambiguous and has led to various theories among fans. In some episodes, Leslie is referred to as a girl, while in others, there are indications that he may not be. For example, the episode featuring the tree house sees Leslie identified as a girl, but there’s also a point in the show where it’s suggested that Leslie could be seen differently, leading to confusion about whether Leslie is a boy or a girl.
Furthermore, it is important to note that:
- Leslie is a male character with an effeminate appearance and personality, likely referencing the ‘flower boy’ archetype.
- Leslie is a gender-neutral name of Scottish origin that translates to ‘holly garden.’ This can help viewers connect with roots, as the plant grows all over Scotland and beyond.
Additionally, viewers conclude that Leslie is a boy, despite his appearance resembling that of a girl. It is heavily implied that Leslie is gay; for instance, in ‘The Mustache,’ when Gumball became buff, Leslie expressed amazement at Gumball clenching his butt. This contributes to the complexity of his character.
Leslie, voiced by Kerry Shale, is described as an effeminate, friendly daisy who plays flute in the school band and can often be found hanging around the girls. He is also Penny’s cousin and has been shown to be gay throughout the series.
Understanding LGBTQ Representation: Leslie’s Sexual Orientation in Gumball
Leslie, who is gay without question, has had his sexual orientation represented throughout the series.
Although it was never confirmed explicitly, the evidence is LITERALLY everywhere:
- As early as Season 1 and as late as Gumball Chronicles, Leslie has been shown to be gay.
- In “The Pressure,” he talks about boys with the girls and literally confesses on screen that he made up his boyfriend. His exact quote is, “yeah, I made him up too.”
- In “The Moustache,” there is a scene where he watches Gumball become a muscular man and responds with “oh-!”
- Furthermore, in “The Saint,” Leslie enjoys being kissed by Alan, although the screenshot appears for only a split second.
While Leslie’s sexuality is never stated explicitly in the show (as is the case for all characters), given that he is a boy who has only shown interest in other boys throughout the series, it is not a crazy stretch of the imagination to conclude his representation in LGBTQ themes.
Leslie’s Voice Actor: Insights on the Character’s Gender
Leslie Gumball is voiced by Kerry Shale, a Canadian-born British actor and voice actor known for his work in The Amazing World of Gumball. Kerry Shale provides the voice for several characters and has a diverse portfolio in voice acting across various shows and films.
Leslie is a supporting character in The Amazing World of Gumball. He is an effeminate flower boy who enjoys spending time with the girls. Due to his feminine appearance and behavior, he has often been referred to as female in many countries and is frequently mistaken for a girl by casual viewers.
As a character, Leslie is depicted as gentle, sarcastic, and effeminate. He prefers to hang around the Treehouse Girls rather than the boys. This preference is evident in episodes such as ‘The Drama,’ where he admits his investment in drama, and ‘The Storm,’ where he gossips with Penny. Furthermore, in ‘The Petals,’ it is revealed that he has a keen interest in fashion, demonstrated by his haute-couture ‘high fashion phase.’
Notably, Leslie is the only male character who is a member of the Treehouse Girls. He retains consciousness even when his head is removed, as shown in both ‘The Gift’ and ‘The Petals.’
Although Leslie’s sexuality is never explicitly stated in the show, he is often perceived as ‘Ambiguously gay.’ This perception arises from the fact that he is a boy who shows interest only in other boys, never in girls. Additionally, it is revealed that Leslie is Penny’s cousin in ‘The Flower.’ His character likely references the ‘flower boy’ archetype due to his effeminate appearance and personality.
