The second voice of Uncle Iroh has defended the LGBTQ+ and disability representation in Seven Havens (Nickelodeon | Paramount)

The latest instalment in the Avatar franchise is already causing ripples in some online circles after just three episodes.

Avatar: Seven Havens debuted this month on Paramount+ with its first three episodes. In them, it was revealed that there was a canonically gay, male couple – Jae and Datu.

While many fans have applauded the continued LGBTQ+ representation in the Avatar universe, some have taken issue with it.

Meanwhile, another lead character, Pavi, one of the new twin Avatars alongside sister Nisha, has a prosthetic leg.

The Avatar franchise has a number of confirmed LGBTQ+ characters, including Korra, the main character of the first spin-off series, The Legend of Korra (2012 to 2014). And characters with disabilities are nothing new either, as one of the focal characters of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005 to 2008), Toph, was blind.

For some, though, it seems the above points are too much. One person tweeted: “Avatar’s Team. Pavi: disabled. Jae: LGBTQ. This is supposed to be a kids’ show by the way.”

Greg Baldwin, who voiced Uncle Iroh in the third season of Avatar: The Last Airbender and in The Legend of Korra, clapped back on X, telling the original poster: “Hi! Second voice of Uncle Iroh here. So sorry LGBTQ and disabled people exist. That must be traumatic for you.”

Fans were quick to react, with one saying: “You know you f***** up when Uncle Iroh checks the toxic vibe.” Another said: “I’m handing you the mic Unc, tell it to ’em!” Someone else said: “Uncle Iroh! Thank you for your wisdom.”

Baldwin, who has also voiced characters in SpongeBob SquarePants and Star Wars: The Clone Wars, also responded to another of the same user’s posts, which said Avatar: Seven Havens “feels so focused on representation”. They added: “I’m not against LGBTQ+ characters, but inclusivity shouldn’t overshadow the actual plot. You can represent people without making it feel like the main selling point.”

Baldwin said: “When someone says they’re not against something BUT… They’re against something.”

Speaking last week at New York Comic Con, Major Curda, who voices Jae in Avatar: Seven Havens, said LGBTQ+ representation in the franchise is “exciting because of how it’s not a huge deal”.

Curda went on: “Here is Jae, this new character. Here is also this new character Datu, they’re boyfriend and boyfriend. It’s just such a wonderful exemplification of love is love.”

Avatar: Seven Havens is available to stream on Paramount+.

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