korvirasamako:

My eight-year-old daughter and I watch Legend of Korra together. Sometimes after certain episodes aired, we would discuss what happened. I often helped her understand why characters acted they way they did – Lin’s resentment toward her mother, for example, was something I needed to explain. I’d like to believe this show is helping my daughter learn empathy for many different kinds of people, even villains.

I didn’t really need to explain Korra and Asami’s bond however. Since season 3 she’s been saying “they’re best friends now,” when she knows they could have been enemies because of their history with Mako. When I asked why Korra would write to only Asami when she was crippled, my daughter said “because they love each other” like family. But I don’t think she really understood until the finale that two women could be together romantically.

This prompted a nice discussion about why girls may like other girls, and that it’s somewhat uncommon but normal. Even heroes feel that way sometimes. And some people like boys and girls. She agrees that Asami is really nice to Korra, and that they will be happy together.

She then asked if it’s okay for boys to like other boys, because Prince Wu obviously likes Mako. (I kind of died inside because I ship Wuko so hard.)

Thank you, Legend of Korra, for allowing me the perfect opportunity to explain homosexuality, with fictional characters she knows and likes. I think this made it easy for her to understand.