‘Full House’ Cast Shares Their Theories on Which Characters They Think Were Actually Queer
Full House was one of those shows that stuck with you—full of heart, hugs, and cheesy jokes. But what if some of your favorite characters were queerer than the script ever let on? That’s exactly what Jodie Sweetin (aka Stephanie Tanner) and Andrea Barber (aka Kimmy Gibbler) recently discussed, and fans are loving the new lens.
Stephanie Tanner Might Not Have Been Straight—And That’s Okay
Jodie Sweetin opened up about how she always felt like Stephanie might not have been completely straight. In fact, she once said Stephanie would probably fall “somewhere to the right on the Kinsey scale.” Translation? She might have been bisexual or fluid.
She also shared a fun behind-the-scenes moment where, during an episode of Fuller House, she improvised a line about Stephanie having a girlfriend in high school. That wasn’t in the script—but it felt natural for the character.
Kimmy Gibbler: Eccentric, Proud… and Possibly Pansexual?
Andrea Barber had her own thoughts on Kimmy. According to her, Kimmy doesn’t fit neatly into any label, and that’s kind of the point. She described Kimmy as someone who could love anyone—gender doesn’t matter. That sounds a lot like pansexuality, doesn’t it?
Given Kimmy’s bold, unpredictable personality and her “I don’t care what people think” attitude, this interpretation makes perfect sense.
Derek – The Original Queer-Coded Character?
Fans of Full House may remember Derek, one of Michelle’s friends. He was sweet, polite, dramatic, and loved performing. While his sexuality was never addressed, many now believe Derek was queer-coded, especially when looking back with today’s lens.
Jodie and Andrea both agreed—Derek had big LGBTQ+ energy, even if it wasn’t explicitly written that way.
The Men of the House – Roommates or Something More?
Now, this part’s mostly for fun, but people have joked for years that Danny, Jesse, and Joey had an oddly intimate living arrangement. Three adult men, no wives, raising kids together in San Francisco? It definitely opens the door for some headcanons.
Andrea laughed about it too, saying if the show were made today, there might’ve been more open discussion about identity and relationships. Even if it was all platonic on-screen, the dynamic left space for imagination.
Queer Themes in a Non-Queer Era
Back in the late ’80s and early ’90s, shows like Full House didn’t touch LGBTQ+ topics. It just wasn’t something networks allowed, especially in family sitcoms. But watching through a modern lens, it’s easy to see little character moments that might’ve suggested queerness.
That’s what makes these recent conversations so interesting. They give us permission to rewatch old shows and notice things we might’ve missed—especially when we were too young to know what to look for.
Fuller House Gave Us Progress
While Full House stayed pretty traditional, Fuller House made a step forward. One of Kimmy’s assistants, Casey, was played by a transgender actress, and the character was openly queer.
It was a small but meaningful moment, and the cast members were proud to be part of a show that finally reflected more identities. It may not have been front and center, but it was there—and that mattered.
Why These Conversations Matter
Revisiting classic characters through a queer lens matters because it makes space for more people to feel seen. Maybe Stephanie’s line about having a girlfriend wasn’t a huge plot point—but it might have made a young viewer feel like they weren’t alone.
Even if queerness wasn’t openly written into Full House, the characters had depth that allowed people to relate in different ways.
Fan Theories Keep the Legacy Alive
Let’s be honest—Full House fans never really left. They’re on Reddit, TikTok, and Twitter, sharing theories, jokes, and nostalgic content every day. And these kinds of character interpretations—like Kimmy being pan or Stephanie being bi—are part of what keeps the show alive.
It’s not about changing history. It’s about adding layers and honoring the characters we loved in new ways.
The Actors Know Their Characters Best
When the actors themselves say they believe a character might’ve been queer, it carries weight. Jodie and Andrea played these roles for years—they know them inside and out.
So if they say Stephanie was probably bi or Kimmy might be pan? That’s a perspective worth listening to. They’re not just guessing—they felt it through their performances.
Representation Isn’t Always Obvious—But It’s There
Some of the most important representation isn’t shouted. It’s quiet. It’s a line here, a look there, a feeling you get. And sometimes, that’s enough to connect with people in a real way.
Full House may not have been an LGBTQ+ pioneer, but the characters were complex enough to inspire different interpretations—and that’s worth celebrating.
Conclusion
What Jodie Sweetin and Andrea Barber have done is open the door to a richer, queerer interpretation of Full House. Whether it’s Stephanie’s sexuality, Kimmy’s open heart, or Derek’s coded personality, they’re helping fans see that love and identity come in many forms.
And the best part? These aren’t just fan theories anymore—they’re actor-approved reflections that breathe new life into an old favorite.
FAQs
1. Did Stephanie Tanner have a girlfriend in the show?
In Fuller House, she mentions having had a girlfriend in high school. That line was improvised by Jodie Sweetin herself.
2. What makes Kimmy Gibbler pansexual?
Kimmy’s character was never tied to labels. She’s eccentric, open-minded, and full of love, which led the actress to believe she could be pansexual.
3. Was Derek meant to be queer?
While the original show never confirmed it, his personality and behavior suggest queer coding, especially when viewed through today’s cultural lens.
4. Why are these conversations happening now?
As society becomes more accepting, both fans and actors are revisiting shows and reflecting on representation that may have been hidden or subtle.
5. Did Full House ever address LGBTQ+ topics directly?
Not in the original run, but Fuller House did introduce a queer character, marking a small but meaningful step forward in representation.
