The newly premiered Avatar animated series, Seven Havens, has drawn criticism from some viewers regarding its inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and a protagonist with a disability. The show, set over two centuries after The Legend of Korra, features Pavi, a young amputee, as one of the new Avatars, and her friend Jae, who is in a same-sex relationship with his boyfriend Datu.
This backlash has been met with a strong response from members of the Avatar franchise's cast and fanbase, who point out that the series has a history of featuring characters with disabilities, such as the blind earthbender Toph, and has always drawn inspiration from Asian and Indigenous cultures, thus not featuring white characters. Furthermore, The Legend of Korra canonically featured a bisexual protagonist.
Greg Baldwin, who voiced Uncle Iroh from 2007 to 2014, addressed the criticism on social media. When some commenters argued that LGBTQ+ and disabled characters "have no place" in a children's show, Baldwin initially retorted that reminders of their existence must be "traumatic" for those committed to an "alternate reality." Topher Ngo, who voices Datu in Seven Havens, expressed his gratitude for Baldwin's support.
In a particularly pointed response to a comment stating "Lgbtq f*ggotry has no place in kids show," Baldwin shared an image of Uncle Iroh giving a middle finger. The voice actor for Iroh in the recent Quest For Balance video game, Artt Butler, also voiced the character in 2023. Baldwin's stance has been seen as a defense of the franchise's inclusive themes and a pushback against what some perceive as manufactured outrage.
Despite the vocal minority, the general reception to the relationship between Jae and Datu has been positive, with many finding the couple endearing. The series is currently streaming on Paramount+ with new episodes released weekly throughout October.