The company has been suspected of neglecting same-sex couples in the past, but the ‘Lightyear’ kiss could be the first open case of LGBTQ+ representation at Disney.
Disney-Pixar’s latest animated adventure has just hit the movies. This is the origin story of one of his most beloved characters: Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story. On the eve of its release, internet speculation ran rampant after it was confirmed that Lightyear would include the company’s first same-sex kiss. The film’s producer, Galyn Susman, stated that the female character Hawthorne is in a “meaningful” relationship with another woman and a kiss ensues between them.
In response, several countries – including the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Egypt and Indonesia – recently announced that they would ban Lightyear from showing in theaters due to his “violation of their country’s media content standard” ( in short, the inclusion of LGTBQ+ themes).
Susman responded by saying that no scenes would be cut, adding, “It’s great that we’re part of something that’s taking steps forward in social inclusion, but it’s frustrating that there are still places that aren’t where they should be.”
Disney’s complicated LGTBQ+ history
While this may seem particularly progressive in a Disney-Pixar feature film, it’s not the first time internet speculation has created a sense of queer anticipation around a new Pixar film. In 2016, Disney released the Finding Dory trailer and fans spotted an alleged lesbian couple in one of the scenes. And after the premiere of the long-awaited Toy Story 4, online communities highlighted the presence of a couple of women who left their son in the nursery.
Yet despite small inclusive moments like these, LGBTQ+ communities and fans have often been disappointed with the final product. So while Lightyear’s kiss marks a huge step forward for Disney, which has shied away from any open representation of the LGBTQ+ community in the past, it’s no wonder many viewers remain skeptical. Is this just another miniscule attempt to please the public, or is this really a groundbreaking moment for Disney and Pixar?
Susman’s insistence that Hawthorne’s kiss will remain in all versions could be considered ironic considering Disney’s past. According to some reports, said kiss on Lightyear had originally been cut. However, it was later restored following the recent Don’t Say Gay campaign scandal, which led to the company making headlines in the media.
Disney and Don’t Say Gay
In March 2022, the Florida Senate passed the Don’t Say Gay bill, which prohibits schools from discussing and promoting topics related to sexual orientation and gender identity. Given its huge cultural reputation in the state, fans and employees were frustrated by Disney’s lack of response or condemnation of the bill.
Following a staff walkout and a huge social media backlash, Disney changed its mind, suspending all political donations to the Republican and Democratic parties and pledging to donate $5 million to LGBTQ+ charities and organizations. Company CEO Bob Chapek also stated in an internal memo that the “biggest impact” the company could have “in creating a more inclusive world is through the inspiring content we produce.”
In response to this, a letter attributed to “LGBTQIA+ Pixar employees and their allies,” published by Variety, suggested that “nearly all moments of openly gay affection are cut at Disney’s behest, regardless of whether there are protests from both creative and executive management teams.
Alisha Hawthorne, voiced by Uzo Aduba, is in a relationship with another woman in the film. /
Disney did not directly comment on the letter, but in another internal note, Chapek responded by saying, “You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I have let you down. I am sorry”.
keep the kiss
Now, in a surprising plot twist, it appears that Disney is refusing to budge on Lightyear, choosing instead to take the inevitable financial losses of not being present in the ban markets for the sake of greater awareness and exposure. of LGBTQ+ values.
In retrospect, Disney’s slow reaction to Don’t Say Gay may have heightened this need for change and a better, more contemporary public image. But it is still important to recognize that this change is taking place.
Much broader queer representation is being created in the media with popular streaming platform series like Sex Education, Heartstopper and Euphoria, and Lightyear could be a sign that Disney is (slowly) coming on board. Disney’s great reputation and cultural impact have the power to shape viewers’ perceptions and awareness. With an audience made up mainly of children and families, seeing a same-sex kiss between two characters could be very important for self-identification, and could contribute to a greater acceptance of the LGTBQ+ community.
Criticism of Lightyear and his same-sex kiss will be inevitable, so it’s important that Disney stay true to LGTBQ+ values. I and other Disney-Pixar LGBTQ+ fans and allies, frustrated by his previous lack of representation, will watch Lightyear with eagle eyes, waiting for the glorious moment we’ve been anticipating: true representation for the first time.
This article has been published in ‘
The Conversation‘.
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