I know that the graph is sorta a meme, but MLP wasn't the sole property causing people to reevaluate their beliefs. Cutesy anime like Lucky Star, K-On and Azumanga Daioh were all shows that remain not uncommonly referenced on 4chan and they became popular before bronies were really a thing. Azumanga Daioh in particular seems to be frequently referenced in YTP circles, even more so than ponies. And it hasn't really stopped with new anime like "Boochi the rock" and "My deer friend Nokotan" also functioning as magnets for
certain types of individuals.
The thing all these shows have in common is moé appeal, inciting these feelings of affection towards fictional characters. It functions very similarly to how people may get a sense of cuteness and desire to protect after seeing a photo of a cute kitten, so it is no wonder such shows spread on the internet so fast. Now of course, experiencing moé to any capacity used to be seen as highly emasculine in the west, to the point that big muscular dudes in cartoons sleeping with teddy bears was a common comedic trope in animation.
So, if you are an edgy teenager, browsing 4chan back in a day, watching tv shows that get popular there, you'll inevitably be faced with the whiplash of acting like an edgelord, posting gore to ruin threads, but yet being haunted by these sudden new emotions and getting thrown off at the idea of a super cute girl being very nice to you. Feelings you've never experienced before. Feelings for fictional characters (or ideas these characters inspire) which most of society and even the website you inhabit deems to be emasculine and effeminate. This naturally forces you to reflect upon yourself as most people don't find it comfortable living in cognitive dissonance. For many, it manifests with the realization that you somehow don't care for girls having cooties anymore and suddenly, you want to get closer to them. But of course, if you are on 4chan, you most likely don't have the social skills to actually interact with girls, so you default to watching Ryan Gosling edits.
But, if you have propinquity towards queerness on some level, you'll be hit with much more uncomfortable realizations. Realizations which you may not be able to discuss with anyone, not on the site and definitely not with friends or family. So out of desperation, you may default to spaces like tumblr. From there on out, the other changes are self-explanatory.
So shows with moé appeal (intentional or not) frequently function as an important element for queer communities to project themselves into and means of analyzing their emotions and attractions. That's also why so many furries tend to be gay, it's that same dreaded moé. And if you paid close attention to the post, you might've noticed that this all also hold parallels to people that are into shota or lolis. Very similar principles apply there as well and how it can further evolve into much darker fantasies.
I should express that I don't think moé appeal in shows is the cause for queerness, but only an outlet for feelings that lay within. From my personal experience, most people I know of experience moé through a sense of loneliness, desiring affection and meaningful relationship with a girl, but being subject to a sense of hopelessness or idea that they'll be alone, without ever starting a family.
So no, getting rid of moé in all media won't rid of queerness, as it effects cis and straight people too. And I presume we've all heard of the stereotype of a lonely middle aged woman being faced with baby fever and raising a whole house full of cats to compensate.
Thank you for coming to my Ted talk.