For all that Disney excels at in the world of storytelling, there are many people, fans and critics alike, who think they still lack in the diversity department. While certainly improving over the decades, they haven’t quite breached the topic of LGBTQ+ representation in their films. Not well, anyway.
However, they might be aiming to change that soon, especially in the wake of the recent backlash regarding some questionable decisions they’ve made.
Disney has come under great fire recently.
It began when the company was discovered to have donated money to Republican politicians that sponsored Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill that prohibits teachers from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with their students.
When criticized, Disney CEO Bob Chapek was hesitant to speak on the matter, saying Disney supported its LGBTQ+ employees, but not denouncing the bill.
It only got worse from there.
An open letter from LGBTQ+ Pixar staff and their allies revealed that Disney had forced them to erase “overtly gay affection” and LGBTQ+ representation in the past.
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It seems that Disney is trying to rebuild this bit of their crumbling image in a few ways, one of which is re-instating previously erased LGBTQ+ moments in upcoming films.
There’s already been one recorded instance of this.
The film Lightyear , set to release this summer, focuses on the origin of Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear. The film featured a kiss between one of Buzz’s fellow astronauts, Hawthorne, and her female partner.
Well, it did until it didn’t.
According to reports , Hawthorne’s LGBTQ+ identity was always going to be mentioned in the film, but the already-animated kiss scene between her and her partner was cut later down the line.
However, it seems that scene has been reintroduced to the film and will remain in the release version.
Bob Chapek seems to be trying to make up for his misstep, too.
He has since issued an apology to Disney employees regarding his behavior of the proposed Florida legislation, now calling it a “challenge to basic human rights”. He’s also pledged that Disney will increase its support for LGBTQ+ causes.
Much of Disney’s staff are still on strike in protest, though, as they don’t believe these actions are enough to backpedal on years of erasure an inaction.
h/t: AV Club
