Disney Pixar’s latest film, “Onward,” has garnered praise for its representation of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly with Lena Waithe voicing a lesbian police officer. Director Dan Scanlon confirmed this representation, stating that the film aims to reflect a modern fantasy world. However, Pixar’s lack of comprehensive commentary on this inclusion has led to a flood of media articles celebrating the company for its queer representation. While it’s commendable that Disney has introduced a gay character voiced by a member of the queer community, we should demand more from them.
Pixar’s silence feels akin to being unexpectedly outed for having an openly gay character. Unlike the experience of a person coming out, Disney has profited from the attention surrounding this character without having to defend its choices. They anticipated both praise and backlash, thereby sidestepping the need for a robust dialogue about LGBTQIA+ representation. Their approach, seemingly casual, sends a message: “Yes, we included a gay character. So what?” But this raises a significant issue—it feels like a form of false advertising.
Disney is aware of the necessity for diverse representation, having made strides in racial inclusivity over the years. Yet, their progress in representing LGBTQIA+ characters has been lackluster. We saw glimpses of hope in films like “Finding Dory,” which hinted at a two-mom family, and Josh Gad’s LeFou in “Beauty and the Beast.” Rumors even circulated about “Toy Story 4” featuring a pair of women dropping their daughter off for school. While these characters are presented as part of everyday life, they lack the depth needed to reflect the true presence of queer individuals in society.
It’s important to acknowledge that while the representation in “Onward” is a step forward, it still relegates LGBTQIA+ characters to the background. Waithe’s character, who briefly mentions her “girlfriend’s daughter,” has a minimal role, making it easy for viewers to overlook this representation. Kids are constantly exposed to straight relationships—falling in love, kissing, and even weddings. They see straight heroes and families, leading to an implicit assumption that these characters are cisgender. For children who need to see gay representation to better understand diversity, Waithe’s character may not resonate as intended.
Disney’s financial resources are vast, with a reported net income of over $10 billion in 2019. They also consistently earn high marks on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, suggesting a supportive workplace for LGBTQ individuals. Given the queer community’s significant purchasing power, it’s puzzling why we celebrate Disney’s surface-level inclusivity while they continue to deliver only scant representation.
Even with these small moments of visibility, it’s all we have, which makes it challenging to push for more. I am genuinely excited that an openly queer character is making it to the screen and that Disney is beginning to acknowledge this representation. However, I also want every child, regardless of their identity, to see themselves reflected authentically for the full duration of a film. True validation comes from seeing diverse stories that go beyond mere stereotypes.
It’s essential to advocate for more LGBTQIA+ characters in Disney films, with more screen time and richer storytelling. I refuse to accept the bare minimum as a standard for representation.
If you’re interested in exploring more about home insemination, check out this informative post on Home Insemination Kit. For additional resources, visit Make a Mom and Hopkins Medicine for comprehensive information on pregnancy and insemination.
In summary, while Disney has made strides in LGBTQIA+ representation, it’s crucial to push for more substantial and meaningful portrayals. The community deserves to be seen fully, not just in passing moments.
Leave a Reply