"When I took the job, I braced myself for criticism, expecting many people — without even watching the show — to instantly label it girly, stupid, cheap, for babies or an evil corporate commercial. I encourage skeptics like this to watch My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic with an open mind. If I'm doing my job right, I think you'll be surprised."
—Lauren Faust
One of the biggest reasons that I'm proud to be a brony is that it's just so delightfully unlikely... and needed. This summer I've really been discovering just how much simple joy animation gives me and just how much I wanted to go into it when I was young. Though I doubt I ever had the talent necessary to overcome some early discouragement- I still think that animation is, has been, and can be a true form of art (and as such a gift from God to be used to His glory).
Lauren Faust and the rest of the crew achieved something seemingly impossible. They took one of the least taken seriously franchises ever, something that could have easily spawned yet another in a sea of "evil corporate commercials" and they made it something witty, genuinely endearing, and (most impressively) actually watchable for someone over the age of ten. Animation aimed at girls is something that for years has been in dire need of depth and quality. I'm not entirely sure why this is so while at the same time there have been many quality shows aimed at the boys, but whatever the reason, I consider it very important to support a show with even a tiny glimmer of hope of fighting back the tide of vapidity.
I'm not saying that FiM is the second coming of Chuck Jones. I recognize that it has it's flaws and moments of weak writing, but it's sure as heck better than a lot of things out there and most importantly it's a step in the right direction. It's a step back towards art. And in a field already glutted with crap for both genders, it's an very important thing.
Btw, this is an excellent example of rack focus, something that's kind of hard to pull off, I'm told. 
It is brilliant what Lauren Faust has done, but even she was surprised by what happened, but the beautiful thing is she embraced it!
In the animation a lot of artistic people take a lot of notice. I am marveled by the artwork myself. Personally the plot, while simple, is witty and humorous. I don't think people can help but fall in love with all the characters, because they all have something loveable about them, and they balance each other out. It truly is a good show to watch when you have had a bad day, it really makes you smile.
If someone judges that as "gay" or "girly", I do not care.