Disney and LGBTQ representation in animation

Gender has always been a component of animation, with scholars Harry Benshoff and Sean Griffin writing that animation has always "hint[ed] at the performative nature of gender."{{cite book|last1=Harry Benshoff|author-link1=Harry Benshoff|last2=Sean Griffin|author-link2=Sean Griffin|title=Queer Images: A History of Gay and Lesbian Film in America|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DTx7AAAAQBAJ&pg=PA74|access-date=January 1, 2015|date=October 13, 2005|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|isbn=978-0-7425-6857-0|pages=74–}} Some argued that the Walt Disney Company played with gender stereotypes in the past, featuring effeminate or sissy characters,{{cite web |last1=Juzwiak |first1=Rich |title=Here's a Brief History of Queer Children's Cartoon Characters |url=https://gawker.com/heres-a-brief-history-of-queer-cartoon-characters-1590469916 |website=Gawker |access-date=March 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318042825/https://gawker.com/heres-a-brief-history-of-queer-cartoon-characters-1590469916 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |date=June 13, 2014 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} or those coded as gay,{{cite web |last1=Childs |first1=Kevin |title=15 Disney Characters Confirmed (Or Speculated) To Be Queer |url=https://www.cbr.com/disney-characters-queer/ |website=CBR |access-date=March 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327045351/https://www.cbr.com/disney-characters-queer/ |archive-date=March 27, 2020 |date=April 15, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} which occurred while the characters were comedic and kept at arms length. Continuing from the late 1980s, villains in Disney films which were queer coded began to appear.{{cite web|last1=Snyder|first1=Chris|last2=Desiderio|first2=Kyle|url=https://www.insider.com/the-evolution-of-queer-characters-in-kids-animated-tv-shows-2021-6|title=The evolution of queer characters in children's animation|website=Insider|date=June 29, 2021|access-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210701050407/https://www.insider.com/the-evolution-of-queer-characters-in-kids-animated-tv-shows-2021-6|archive-date=July 1, 2021|url-status=live}}

Gaston and LeFou in the 1991 film Beauty and the Beast and Jafar from the 1992 film Aladdin were created by an openly gay animator named Andreas Deja,{{cite magazine | first=Craig | last=Seymour | title=Yep, They're Gay | url=http://www.ew.com/article/2000/10/06/yep-theyre-gay | date=6 October 2000|access-date=April 11, 2022 | magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111110135751/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,277857_2,00.html|archive-date=November 10, 2011}} and sang music by Howard Ashman, who was also openly gay. Deja supervised animation for those characters, with some noting the campy value of these characters. The fact that Deja had also worked on Scar in The Lion King and the titular character in Hercules, for example, has been discussed as an influence on the development of some Disney characters.{{cite book | first1=Gail | last1=Dines | first2=Jean | last2=McMahon Humez | title=Gender, Race, and Class in Media: A Text-reader | page=[https://archive.org/details/genderraceclassi0000unse/page/209 209] | date=August 2002 | publisher=Sage Publications | isbn=978-0-7619-2261-2 | url=https://archive.org/details/genderraceclassi0000unse/page/209 }}{{cite book | first=Peter | last=Schweizer | title=The Mouse Betrayed | page=[https://archive.org/details/disneymousebetra00schw/page/148 148] | publisher=Regnery Publishing | date=September 1998 | isbn=0-89526-387-4 | url=https://archive.org/details/disneymousebetra00schw/page/148 }} In a June 1994 article in The Advocate, an executive producer of The Lion King, Thomas Schumacher, a gay man, argued that there were "a lot of gay people at every level" of Disney, and called it a "very supportive environment". He noted that he brought his partner, Matt White, to an annual company beach party and long company retreats and that while some executives were uncomfortable with Schumacher bringing his partner, higher executives didn't give him any trouble. Schumacher also said that while he regretted handing over reins of the film to Don Hahn, he was proud of songs by Tim Rice, a lyricist, and Elton John in the film. The Advocate noted that even if there aren't any openly gay or lesbian characters in the film, there is sensitivity to LGBTQ issues in the upper echelon of Disney.{{cite journal | first=Tom | last=Provenzano | title=The Lion in Summer | journal=The Advocate | pages=64–71 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L2MEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA71 |date=June 28, 1994}}

This queer coding had its disadvantages, with networks not wanting to show overt representation. Rebecca Sugar argued that it is really heavy for a kid to only exist as a villain or a joke in an animated series. In 2011, Deja told news.com.au Disney would have a "family that has two dads or two mums" if they find the "right kind of story with that kind of concept."{{cite journal | first=Daniela | last=Elser | title=Gay families in Disney movies only a matter of time, says Lion King animator Andreas Deja | url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/mickey-has-two-dads/story-e6frfmvr-1226015944009 | date=March 4, 2011 | journal=news.com.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110807101046/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/mickey-has-two-dads/story-e6frfmvr-1226015944009|archive-date=August 7, 2011|url-status=live|access-date=September 27, 2011}} However, other critics criticized such queer-coded villains as contributing to homophobic discourse and equating queerness with evil itself.{{cite web |last1=Gates |first1=Meggie |title=Once Again, Disney Attempts to Co-opt Pride Month |url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/disney-rebrands-pride-no-lgbtq-support |website=Bitch |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712054914/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/disney-rebrands-pride-no-lgbtq-support |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |date=July 18, 2021 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |last1=Weir |first1=John |title=FILM; Gay-Bashing, Villainy and the Oscars |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/29/movies/film-gay-bashing-villainy-and-the-oscars.html |website=New York Times |access-date=September 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122220051/https://www.nytimes.com/1992/03/29/movies/film-gay-bashing-villainy-and-the-oscars.html |archive-date=January 22, 2021 |date=March 29, 1992 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

Historian Peter C. Kunze argued that Ashman was recruited by Disney from Broadway, saying that while working with Alan Menken, he crafted songs in The Little Mermaid (1989), Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Kunze noted that Ashman and animators on The Little Mermaid were inspired by gay culture and gay icons. He also pointed out that Ashman was supported by Jeffrey Katzenberg after coming out as HIV-Positive, with the company even creating a production unit near his home so he could receive treatment in New York City rather than traveling to Burbank, California, with Beauty and the Beast dedicated to him. Kunze further noted that Albert Tavares, a gay man, oversaw casting on The Little Mermaid.

In 2006, Brother Bear II, explored themes of diversity and personal transformation. The film portrays Nita's transformation into a bear, which is met with unconditional support from her father, who affirms, “I will love you no matter what you choose,” highlighting the importance of acceptance and love across differences.{{cite web | url=https://archive.org/details/Animation_Magazine_September_2006/page/20/mode/2up | title=Animation Magazine September 2006 }} Melissa Etheridge, inspired by the film, wrote three original songs for the soundtrack.{{cite web | url=https://www.hometheaterforum.com/community/threads/htf-review-brother-bear-2-honestly-recommended.239003/ | title=DVD Review - HTF REVIEW: Brother Bear 2... Honestly Recommended | date=24 August 2006 }}

In May 2020, Amber Vucinich, a story revisionist for Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure,{{cite web|url=https://keyframemagazine.org/2021/06/14/amber-vucinich/|title=Amber Vucinich|website=KeyFrame Magazine|date=June 14, 2021|access-date=December 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714221418/https://keyframemagazine.org/2021/06/14/amber-vucinich/|archive-date=July 14, 2023|url-status=live}} revealed that Cassandra "Cass" was gay coded, with "sapphic looks" toward the story's protagonist, Rapunzel.{{Cite tweet |last=Vucinich |first=Amber |user=mbrleigh |number=1258265081374105600 |date=May 7, 2020 |title=THAT ONE,,,IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES,,,,, boarded by @banannerbread I am so glad :O( any time?? Sappho needs her word spread |language=en |access-date=December 20, 2023 |link=https://twitter.com/mbrleigh/status/1258265081374105600 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210612021815/https://twitter.com/mbrleigh/status/1258265081374105600 |archive-date=June 12, 2021 }} She also said that there were many "queer women who boarded scenes [of] Cassandra," and that women-love-women vibes were ingrained in every drawing she did of the character.{{cite web |last1=Vanich |first1=Amber |title=thank u for helping cassandra give out some of the gayest most lesbionic vibes in disney history i love her |url=https://mbrleigh.tumblr.com/post/184043717543/thank-u-for-helping-cassandra-give-out-some-of-the |website=Tumblr |access-date=September 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415170128/https://mbrleigh.tumblr.com/post/184043717543/thank-u-for-helping-cassandra-give-out-some-of-the |archive-date=April 15, 2019 |date=2019 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

In March 2021, Kelly Marie Tran, the voice actress of Raya in the film Raya and the Last Dragon, argued that Raya is queer, stating that she believed there were "some romantic feelings" between Raya and Namaari in the story. She later made clear that this isn't the official Disney position and hoped for a Disney warrior that is "openly in the LGBTQ community" in the future, perhaps even a person who is disabled.{{cite web |last1=Robinson |first1=Joanna |title=Raya and the Last Dragon's Kelly Marie Tran Thinks Her Disney Princess Is Gay |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/03/raya-and-the-last-dragon-kelly-marie-tran-gay-namaari-raya |website=Vanity Fair |access-date=March 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307025741/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/03/raya-and-the-last-dragon-kelly-marie-tran-gay-namaari-raya |archive-date=March 7, 2021 |date=March 5, 2021 |url-status=live}}

In June 2021, Luca was released on Disney+. Some argued that the film felt "gay" even if not "explicitly queer," and more ambiguous, comparing it to the 2017 live-action film Call Me by Your Name and the 2020 animated film Wolfwalkers.{{cite magazine|first=Nick|last=Romano|date=April 28, 2021|access-date=April 23, 2022|title=Is 'Luca' Pixar's 'Call Me by Your Name'? Director says it's not about that|url=https://ew.com/movies/luca-pixar-call-me-by-your-name-comparisons/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324193829/https://ew.com/movies/luca-pixar-call-me-by-your-name-comparisons/|archive-date=March 24, 2022|url-status=live}} Others said that Luca and Alberto hiding their true sea monster identities was an allegory for people who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, feeling as though they need to hide their true selves in order to be accepted.{{cite web |last=Abi Travis |date=25 February 2021 |title=Wait a Sec — Are the Main Characters in Pixar's 'Luca' Gay? |url=https://www.distractify.com/p/is-luca-gay-pixar |website=Distractify |access-date=April 4, 2021 |archive-date=June 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620000100/https://www.distractify.com/p/is-luca-gay-pixar |url-status=live }} The film's director, Enrico Casarosa, said this was unintentional and that his original vision for the film was to explore the time in a child's life before romance,{{cite web |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2021/06/director-says-luca-is-not-a-queer-romance |title= Pixar Director Says 'Luca' Is Not LGBTQ+ Romance |website=ITM |first=John |last=Mangan |date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325121253/https://insidethemagic.net/2021/06/director-says-luca-is-not-a-queer-romance-jm1/ |archive-date=March 25, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=April 23, 2022}} but he has since welcomed the interpretation after the film's release, also stating: "While I identify with pronouns he/him and I am a straight man, the themes of diversity, acceptance and inclusion in our movie are dear to my heart".{{Cite web |url=https://cupofgreentea.it/luca-disney-coming-out/ |title= Luca (2021): il nuovo film della Disney parla di un coming out? |trans-title=Luca (2021): is the new Disney film about a coming out? |website= cupofgreentea.it |language=Italian |date=June 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205180044/https://cupofgreentea.it/luca-disney-coming-out/ |archive-date=February 5, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=April 23, 2022}}

File:Alex Hirsch and Grunkle Stan puppet at San Diego Comic-Con International 2013.jpg; Hirsch is the creator of Gravity Falls]]

In the 2010s, the series finale of Gravity Falls, aired on the Disney Channel, and featured Sheriff Blubs and Deputy Durland confirmed to be a gay couple.{{Cite web |last1=Cooper |first1=Mariah |title=Disney cartoon 'Gravity Falls' introduces gay couple |url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2016/02/18/disney-cartoon-gravity-falls-introduces-gay-couple/ |website=Washington Blade |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020063618/http://www.washingtonblade.com/2016/02/18/disney-cartoon-gravity-falls-introduces-gay-couple/ |archive-date=October 20, 2018 |date=February 18, 2016 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com.au/disneys-gravity-falls-reveals-gay-couple-1505525|title=Disney's 'Gravity Falls' reveals gay couple|author=Tecson, Karla|date=21 February 2016|work=International Business Times|access-date=28 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191122040927/https://www.ibtimes.com.au/disneys-gravity-falls-reveals-gay-couple-1505525|archive-date=November 22, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/02/18/disney-cartoon-gravity-falls-confirms-gay-romance/|title=Disney cartoon Gravity Falls confirms gay romance|author=Duffy, Nick|date=February 18, 2016|publisher=Pink News|access-date=February 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707044147/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2016/02/18/disney-cartoon-gravity-falls-confirms-gay-romance/|archive-date=July 7, 2020}}

In 2016, Jared Bush, writer and co-director of the film Zootopia, stated that the film features a gay couple, Bucky and Pronk Oryx-Antlerson.{{cite tweet |last1=Bush |first1=Jared |author-link=Jared Bush |user=thejaredbush |number=803836679425556480 |date=November 30, 2016 |title=They are a gay married couple. But they don't yell at each other because they're gay, they yell because they're real. ;) |access-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729121545/https://twitter.com/thejaredbush/status/803836679425556480 |archive-date=July 29, 2018 |url-status=live}}

In March 2017, Star vs. the Forces of Evil would make headlines with an episode entitled "Just Friends". The episode featured characters attending a concert and later concert-goers starting to kiss, including same-sex couples.{{cite web |last1=Wolfe |first1=Jennifer |title= 'Star vs. the Forces of Evil' Unleashes First-Ever Gay Kiss from Disney |url=https://www.awn.com/news/star-vs-forces-evil-unleashes-first-ever-gay-kiss-disney |website=Animation World Network |access-date=December 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324104024/https://www.awn.com/news/star-vs-forces-evil-unleashes-first-ever-gay-kiss-disney |archive-date=March 24, 2017 |date=March 1, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}}

On September 30, 2018, Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors aired on the Disney Channel and Disney XD. The team included America Chavez, a Latina lesbian superhero.{{cite web|last=Free|first=Jakob|url=http://www.newnownext.com/marvel-rising-america-chavez/12/2017/|title=New Cartoon Will Feature Marvel's First Animated Lesbian Superhero|website=NewNowNext|date=December 18, 2017|access-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204080732/http://www.newnownext.com/marvel-rising-america-chavez/12/2017/|archive-date=December 4, 2020|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://remezcla.com/film/cierra-ramirez-america-chavez-latina-superhero-marvel-rising-secret-warriors/|title=Cierra Ramirez to Voice America Chavez, Marvel's First Queer Latina Superhero|date=December 11, 2017|access-date=May 9, 2021|website=Remezcla|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730054708/http://remezcla.com/film/cierra-ramirez-america-chavez-latina-superhero-marvel-rising-secret-warriors/|archive-date=July 30, 2019|url-status=live}} GLAAD expressed hope that the film would allow Chavez to be represented accurately, and "serve as an introduction of America and further queer characters to the Marvel Cinematic Universe."{{cite web|last=Deerwater|first=Raina|url=https://www.glaad.org/blog/must-see-lgbtq-tv-marvel-rising-secret-warriors-versailles-final-season-return-will-grace|title=Must-See LGBTQ TV: 'Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors,' 'Versailles' final season, return of 'Will & Grace,' 'Superstore,' plus Alyssa Edwards' 'Dancing Queen'|date=September 30, 2018|access-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210510032836/https://www.glaad.org/blog/must-see-lgbtq-tv-marvel-rising-secret-warriors-versailles-final-season-return-will-grace|archive-date=May 10, 2021|url-status=live}} The film was later described as "a superhero tale with diversity oozing out of every animated frame," with note of Chavez having two mothers.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/marvel-rising-secret-warriors-review-heroes-of-all-kinds-take-spotlight/|title=Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors tackles diversity without breaking a sweat|website=CNET|date=September 30, 2018|access-date=May 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128042707/https://www.cnet.com/news/marvel-rising-secret-warriors-review-heroes-of-all-kinds-take-spotlight/|archive-date=January 28, 2021|url-status=live}}

On May 22, 2020, an animated short film titled Out premiered on Disney+. This short Pixar film revolves around Greg attempting to hide a framed photo of him and his boyfriend, Manuel, from his parents, out of fear for their disapproval. The seventh short film in the SparkShorts series, it is both Disney's and Pixar's first short to feature a gay main character and storyline, including an on-screen same-sex kiss.{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/pixars-new-short-film-out-features-studios-1st-gay-main-character/ |title=Pixar's New Short Film 'Out' Features Studio's 1st Gay Main Character |website=TheWrap |first=Brian |last=Welk |date=May 22, 2020 |access-date=May 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604021458/https://www.thewrap.com/pixars-new-short-film-out-features-studios-1st-gay-main-character/ |archive-date=June 4, 2020}}

In the 2020s, The Owl House featured a bisexual protagonist, Luz Noceda, and various other LGBTQ characters.{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Tim |title=The Owl House: Disney Animated Series' LGBTQ+ Relationship is No Longer Subtext |url=https://www.cbr.com/owl-house-disney-lgbtq-relationship/ |website=Comic Book Resources |access-date=August 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810013018/https://www.cbr.com/owl-house-disney-lgbtq-relationship/ |archive-date=August 10, 2020 |date=August 9, 2020 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Tracy |title=The five TV shows you should be watching this week – "The Owl House" (Disney Channel) |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-08-10/the-owl-house-star-trek-lower-decks-handmaids-tale-homeland-the-other-one |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200812130841/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2020-08-10/the-owl-house-star-trek-lower-decks-handmaids-tale-homeland-the-other-one |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |date=August 10, 2020 |url-status=live }} GLAAD praised it as a "noteworthy" series which "introduced new queer women characters".{{cite report |date=January 2021 |title=Where We Are on TV: 2020–2021 |url=https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20-%20202021%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV.pdf |publisher=GLAAD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115060919/https://www.glaad.org/sites/default/files/GLAAD%20-%20202021%20WHERE%20WE%20ARE%20ON%20TV.pdf |archive-date=January 15, 2021 |access-date=January 20, 2021 |page=15 |quote=one noteworthy cable series which introduced new queer women characters and made headlines was Disney Channel's animated family show The Owl House. }} Previously, series creator Dana Terrace confirmed Luz Noceda as bisexual and Amity Blight as a lesbian in a Reddit AMA in September 2020.{{cite web|url=https://bi.org/en/bi-characters/luz-noceda|title=Luz Noceda|website=bi.org|access-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306050027/https://bi.org/en/bi-characters/luz-noceda|archive-date=March 6, 2021|url-status=live}} Amity and Luz represent Disney's first animated LGBT+ female regular characters. The series also featured Raine Whispers, who goes by they/them pronouns and is voiced by transgender and non-binary actor Avi Roque,{{Cite tweet |last=Roque |first=Avi |user=ok_roque |number=1418313296294203396 |date=July 22, 2021 |title=🦉✨DREAM COME TRUE✨🦉 I guest star as Raine Whispers (pronouns: they/them), the sharp and hardworking Head Witch of the Bard Coven, in the new episode of #TheOwlHouse premiering July 24 at 10:00am ET/PT on #DisneyChannel and DisneyNOW. Make sure to check it out!!|access-date=July 23, 2021 |link=https://twitter.com/ok_roque/status/1418313296294203396 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723030736/https://twitter.com/ok_roque/status/1418313296294203396 |archive-date=July 23, 2021 |ref=}}{{cite web|url=https://www.out.com/television/2021/7/23/owl-house-introducing-new-nonbinary-character-show|title=The Owl House Is Introducing a New Nonbinary Character to the Show|last=Rude|first=Mey|work=Out Magazine|date=July 23, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210724023720/https://www.out.com/television/2021/7/23/owl-house-introducing-new-nonbinary-character-show|archive-date=July 24, 2021|url-status=live}} and is Disney's first non-binary character.{{cite web|last=Lovejoy|first=Hannah|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a37120223/disney-first-non-binary-character-owl-house/|title=Disney introduces first non-binary character in TV series The Owl House|website=Digital Spy|date=July 25, 2021|access-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210726210924/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a37120223/disney-first-non-binary-character-owl-house/|archive-date=July 26, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Martinez|first=Kiko|url=https://remezcla.com/culture/first-non-binary-character-disney-series-owl-house-raine-whispers/|title=Meet First Non-Binary Character on Disney's Barrier-Breaking 'The Owl House'|website=Remezcla|date=July 29, 2021|access-date=August 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729174126/https://remezcla.com/culture/first-non-binary-character-disney-series-owl-house-raine-whispers/|archive-date=July 29, 2021|url-status=live}}

On September 29, 2020, Samantha "Sam" King, a writer for the Season 3 episode of DuckTales, "They Put a Moonlander On the Earth!", confirmed that Lieutenant Penumbra is a lesbian character.{{cite web|last=Rude|first=Mey|url=https://www.out.com/television/2020/9/29/ducktales-director-confirms-penumbra-lesbian|title='Ducktales' Director Confirms Penumbra Is a Lesbian|website=Out|date=September 29, 2020|access-date=May 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201101010536/https://www.out.com/television/2020/9/29/ducktales-director-confirms-penumbra-lesbian|archive-date=November 1, 2020|url-status=live}} However, King wished it had been more overt and said that people should continue to ask for better representation. In 2020, she participated in a DuckTales zine where she confirmed that Launchpad is bisexual, saying "LP just has so much love in him, that of course he's not only romantically attracted to one gender."{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

In March 2022, leaked clips from a Walt Disney Company meeting showed the president of Disney General Entertainment, Karey Burke, explain to staff that she is a parent of "two queer children," and the production coordinator at Disney Television Animation, Allen Martsch, note that his team is trying to include "more trans and gender non-conforming characters" in Disney animations.{{cite web|last=Wakefield|first=Lily|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/03/30/disney-lgbt-meeting-dont-say-gay-florida/|title=Disney bosses promise huge increase in queer characters in major step for LGBT+ representation|date=March 30, 2022|website=PinkNews|access-date=March 31, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331083430/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/03/30/disney-lgbt-meeting-dont-say-gay-florida/|archive-date=March 31, 2022|url-status=live}} Also, in the meeting, Layota Raveneau, series director of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder and Rise Up, Sing Out, said that she was adding queerness wherever she could in the projects she worked on for Disney.{{cite web|last=Dey|first=Kunal|url=https://meaww.com/what-is-pansexual-disney-child|title=What is Pansexual? Google searches ping after Disney president Karey Burke says she has pansexual child|website=Meaww|date=March 30, 2022|access-date=March 31, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331144353/https://meaww.com/what-is-pansexual-disney-child |archive-date=2022-03-31 }} Elsewhere, Burke promised that 50% of the characters in content created by the Disney General Entertainment would be "from minority groups."{{cite web|last=McClear|first=Sheila|url=https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/disney-exec-wants-50-of-all-characters-gay-or-underrepresented/|title=Disney Prez of Entertainment Wants 50 Percent of All Characters Gay or 'Underrepresented'|date=March 30, 2022|website=Los Angeles Magazine|access-date=March 31, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331001201/https://www.lamag.com/citythinkblog/disney-exec-wants-50-of-all-characters-gay-or-underrepresented/ |archive-date=2022-03-31 }}

On May 21, 2022, Luz and Amity kissed each other on the lips in The Owl House episode "Clouds on the Horizon". It is the first same-sex kiss between the main characters in a Disney animated series.{{Cite tweet |author=GLAAD |author-link=GLAAD |user=glaad |number=1528053100887494656 |date=May 21, 2022 |title=On today's episode of the #GLAADawards nominated series The Owl House ("Clouds on the Horizon"), Luz and Amity share a sweet romantic kiss. Congratulations to The Owl House team on your recent Peabody Award win! |language=en |access-date=May 21, 2022}} Strange World, which was released on November 23, 2022, features Ethan Clade, who is the first gay lead character in a Disney animated film.{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/events/disney-offers-exclusive-looks-at-strange-world-baymax-zootopia-at-annecy/|title=Disney Offers Exclusive Looks at 'Strange World,' 'Baymax!' & 'Zootopia+' at Annecy|website=Animation Magazine |last=Dudok de Wit |first=Alex |author-link=Alex Dudok de Wit |date=June 17, 2022|access-date=June 17, 2022}} Ethan Clade is voiced by gay comedian Jaboukie Young-White.

Elemental which was released on June 16, 2023, features Lake Ripple who is the first non-binary character in a Pixar film, and their girlfriend Ghibli.{{Cite web |last=Sohn |first=Peter |date=May 24, 2023 |title=Elemental |url=https://assets.gettyimages.com/bf-boulder-whitelabelbucket-getty-prod/rw3nfp9798sq8kx3ns8p7gr5/v/1102206595/original/ELEMENTAL%20Advance%20Notes-Credits%2005-23-23.pdf |access-date=May 25, 2023 |website=Getty Images |format=Credits |archive-date=May 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230524234613/https://assets.gettyimages.com/bf-boulder-whitelabelbucket-getty-prod/rw3nfp9798sq8kx3ns8p7gr5/v/1102206595/original/ELEMENTAL%20Advance%20Notes-Credits%2005-23-23.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Williamson |first=Hilary |date=2023-06-18 |title=Disney's Pixar unveils historic first ever non-binary character |url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2023/06/18/disney-pixar-non-binary-character-elemental/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=PinkNews |language=en-UK}} Lake uses they/them and she/her pronouns. Lake Ripple is voiced by non-binary actor Kai Ava Hauser.

Shang Li was not included in the 2020 live-action remake of Mulan. One of the film's producers said that Shang was dropped in response to the MeToo movement, arguing that "having a commanding officer that is also the sexual love interest was very uncomfortable and we didn't think it was appropriate".{{Cite news |last=Szany |first=Wendy Lee |date=February 27, 2020 |title='Mulan': Why Captain Li Shang Isn't in the Live-Action Remake |work=Collider |url=https://collider.com/mulan-li-shang-not-in-live-action-remake-reason-why/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229041523/https://collider.com/mulan-li-shang-not-in-live-action-remake-reason-why/ |archive-date=February 29, 2020}} This was met with social media backlash from fans of the original film and members of the LGBTQ community, with Reed initially surprised by criticism of Shang's removal, but acknowledged that the character had become an LGBTQ icon.{{Cite news |last=Maleh |first=Linda |date=February 28, 2020 |title=Disney Blames #MeToo For Li Shang's Absence From 'Mulan' In New Controversy |work=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/lindamaleh/2020/02/28/disney-blames-metoo-for-li-shangs-absence-from-mulan-in-new-controversy/ |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200229142827/https://www.forbes.com/sites/lindamaleh/2020/02/28/disney-blames-metoo-for-li-shangs-absence-from-mulan-in-new-controversy/ |archive-date=February 29, 2020}}{{Cite news |date=March 2, 2020 |title=Mulan: Disney drop character following #MeToo movement |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51707188 |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302225205/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-51707188 |archive-date=March 2, 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Rearick |first=Lauren |date=February 28, 2020 |title=Mulan" Love Interest Li Shang Was Reportedly Split Into Two Characters Because of MeToo |work=Teen Vogue |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/mulan-love-interest-li-shang-reportedly-split-two-characters-metoo |url-status=live |access-date=March 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200303032415/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/mulan-love-interest-li-shang-reportedly-split-two-characters-metoo |archive-date=March 3, 2020}} He added that Shang's role would be served by two new characters, Commander Tung and Chen Honghui. Even so, some reviewers called the interactions between Honghui and Mulan to be more homoerotic than Li Shang's in the animated version and can be read as bisexual while others criticized the reasoning of Reed as incorrect.{{Cite web |date=September 5, 2020 |title=Disney's Mulan Is Even MORE Homoerotic in Live-Action, if That's Possible |url=https://www.cbr.com/disney-mulan-more-homoerotic-in-live-action/ |access-date=September 19, 2020 |website=CBR |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116202428/https://www.cbr.com/disney-mulan-more-homoerotic-in-live-action/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Puckett |first=Lauren |date=September 4, 2020 |title=Why Is Li Shang Not in Disney's Live-Action 'Mulan?' |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a33928432/why-li-shang-is-not-in-mulan-live-action/ |access-date=September 19, 2020 |magazine=Harper's BAZAAR |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116202429/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/a33928432/why-li-shang-is-not-in-mulan-live-action/ |url-status=live }} Mulan was described, by one scholar as having a character, Mulan herself, who could successfully pass as the opposite sex and as subverting her traditionally assigned gender signifiers, while having an unusually masculine body. It was further stated that as a result, Mulan was the "perfect embodiment of a drag king" even though she maintains her heterosexuality as she is attracted to Li Sheng, comparing Mulan's interpretation of her sexuality to that of Bugs Bunny.{{Cite book|title = Queers in American Popular Culture Volume 1: Film and television|last = Johnson|first = Jo|publisher = Praeger|year = 2010|isbn = 9780313354571|location = Santa Barbara, California|chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/queersinamerican0000unse/page/246/mode/2up |access-date = September 23, 2021|editor-last = Elledge|editor-first = Jim|volume = 1|chapter = "We'll Have A Gay Old Time!": Queer Representation in American Prime-Time Television from the Cartoon Short to the Family Sitcom |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/queersinamerican0000unse/mode/2up |pages=247, 255, 259–261}} Furthermore, gay playwright Harvey Fierstein voiced a character in Mulan, and only accepted the part after confirming that the rest of the cast was Asian so he would not take work away from an Asian actor.{{cite book|last=Rapp |first=Linda |editor-last=Summers |editor-first=Claude |date=2012 |title=The Queer Encyclopedia of Film and Television |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nwFuDwAAQBAJ |location=San Francisco, California |chapter=Fierstein, Harvey (b. 1954) |publisher=Cleis Press Start |isbn=9781573448826 |page=140}}

A few homophobic conservative Christian commentators decried what they considered to be implicit homosexuality in the 2013 film Frozen, considering Elsa's being different from others, her ostracism from society, and her independence and rejection of male suitors, as metaphors for lesbianism. Elsa's song "Let it Go" has been compared to the phenomenon of coming out of the closet.{{cite news |last=Petersen |first=Kierran |title=Disney's Frozen and the 'gay agenda' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-26759342 |newspaper=BBC News |date=March 27, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140328044825/http://www.bbc.com/news/blogs-echochambers-26759342 |archive-date=March 28, 2014 }}{{cite news |last1=Dickson |first1=Caitlin |title=Is 'Frozen' The Gayest Movie of the Year? |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/is-frozen-the-gayest-movie-of-the-year |work=The Daily Beast |date=12 March 2014 |url-access=limited}}{{cite news |last=MacKenzie |first=Steven |title=Frozen: Disney's icebreaker |url=http://www.bigissue.com/features/3593/frozen-disney-s-icebreaker |access-date=May 5, 2014 |newspaper=The Big Issue |date=March 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312140944/http://www.bigissue.com/features/3593/frozen-disney-s-icebreaker |archive-date=March 12, 2014 }}

File:Chris Nee US Childrens TV.png, the creator of Doc McStuffins pictured accepting the Peabody for Doc McStuffins]]

In August 2017, Doc McStuffins featured a lesbian (and interracial) married couple, Thea and Edie, voiced by lesbian actresses Wanda Sykes and Portia de Rossi respectively.{{Cite web |last1=Joho |first1=Jess |title=Disney Channel features interracial lesbian couple and other networks should catch up already |url=https://mashable.com/2017/08/07/disney-interracial-lesbian-couple-doc-mcstuffins/#8uUdqOEbBOqR |website=Mashable |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200515014042/https://mashable.com/2017/08/07/disney-interracial-lesbian-couple-doc-mcstuffins/ |archive-date=May 15, 2020 |date=August 7, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{Cite web |last1=Oh |first1=Rebecca |title=Disney Show 'Doc McStuffins' Features Interracial Lesbian Moms |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/disney-show-doc-mcstuffins-features-interracial-lesbian-moms-n791901 |website=NBC News |publisher=NBC |access-date=April 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922094141/https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/disney-show-doc-mcstuffins-features-interracial-lesbian-moms-n791901 |archive-date=September 22, 2019 |date=August 14, 2017 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |last1=Adegoke |first1=Yomi |title=Move over, Disney! Meet the woman leading the LGBT cartoon revolution |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/oct/01/move-over-disney-meet-rebecca-sugar-the-woman-leading-the-lgbt-cartoon-revolution-steven-universe-adventure-time |website=The Guardian |access-date=March 11, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307010029/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/oct/01/move-over-disney-meet-rebecca-sugar-the-woman-leading-the-lgbt-cartoon-revolution-steven-universe-adventure-time |archive-date=March 7, 2020 |date=October 1, 2019 |url-status=live}} These two characters would be the first same-sex couple featured in a Disney Junior pre-school series. Some argued that this episode would be a turning point for executives who fears boycotts from conservative groups like the Family Research Council and One Million Moms, calling the episode a "major win for both Disney and preschool series," showing that LGBTQ characters could appears in shows aimed at younger viewers without retaliation or crisis.{{cite web|last=White|first=Abbey|url=https://www.insider.com/why-tv-lacks-lgbtq-inclusion-according-to-experts-2021-6|title=TV animators were forced to scrap LGBTQ-inclusive storylines due to a culture of fear. Experts say fans are changing that.|website=Insider|date=June 15, 2021|access-date=June 16, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210616194517/https://www.insider.com/why-tv-lacks-lgbtq-inclusion-according-to-experts-2021-6|archive-date=June 16, 2021|url-status=live}}

Star Wars Resistance, which aired from October 2018 to January 2020 on the Disney Channel and Disney XD, featured LGBTQ characters. In this animation, Orka and Flix run the Office of Acquisitions on the Colossus, with Orka doing the negotiations.{{cite web |last1=Baver |first1=Kirsten |title=Designing Star Wars: Star Wars Resistance |url=https://www.starwars.com/news/designing-star-wars-resistance |website= Star Wars |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228141234/https://www.starwars.com/news/designing-star-wars-resistance |archive-date=February 28, 2020 |date=October 31, 2019 |url-status=live }} Justin Ridge, an executive producer, said that it is safe to call them a couple, adding "they're absolutely a gay couple and we're proud of that" on the Coffee With Kenobi podcast.{{Cite web|url=https://www.coffeewithkenobi.com/cwk-show-298-star-wars-resistance-season-two-press-day-coverage/|title=CWK Show #298: Star Wars Resistance Season Two Press Day Coverage|access-date=August 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001213059/https://www.coffeewithkenobi.com/cwk-show-298-star-wars-resistance-season-two-press-day-coverage/|archive-date=October 1, 2019}}{{cite web |last1=Convery |first1=Stephanie |title=Out of space: Star Wars Resistance has gay characters, Disney says |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/01/out-of-space-star-wars-resistance-has-openly-gay-characters-disney-says |work=The Guardian |access-date=August 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200214194923/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/oct/01/out-of-space-star-wars-resistance-has-openly-gay-characters-disney-says |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |date=September 30, 2019 |url-status=live }} Some said that they didn't see themselves in the show because they were only confirmed outside of the show's universe by the show's creators.{{cite web|last=Dean|first=Lena|url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/history-of-queer-representation-in-cartoons-she-ra-korra|title=Queerness Shines in "She-Ra" and Other Animated Shows|website=Bitch|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=September 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121010754/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/history-of-queer-representation-in-cartoons-she-ra-korra|archive-date=January 21, 2021|url-status=live}} Flix is voiced by queer actor Jim Rash.

In 2019, the animated series Milo Murphy's Law aired the episode "Lady Krillers" which has been heavily criticised by the trans community for its derogatory depictions of trans women. The episode would be banned in countries such as Germany and Ukraine.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJygpQip8bY&ab_channel=AcestenHarls |title=Milo Murphy's Law's Transphobic and Worst Episode |date=2024-06-15 |last=Acesten Harls |access-date=2025-05-08 |via=YouTube}}

In early June 2021, in celebration of Pride Month, Disney unveiled new merchandise and tweeted an illustration. In response, Alex Hirsch, the creator of the Disney series Gravity Falls, criticized Disney studio executives for cutting LGBTQ scenes from their shows. In his tweet, which was retweeted thousands of times, he urged people to "mercilessly" spam the executives by saying there is "room for everyone under the rainbow" if the executives claim LGBTQ+ characters are not "Disney appropriate."{{cite web |last1=Gates |first1=Meggie |title=Making Waves: In "Luca" and "Wolfwalkers," Monstrousness Is a Queer Metaphor |url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/luca-wolfwalkers-animated-childrens-films-explore-queerness |website=Bitch |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728185954/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/luca-wolfwalkers-animated-childrens-films-explore-queerness |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |date=July 28, 2021 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}{{cite web |last1=Gates |first1=Meggie |title=Once Again, Disney Attempts to Co-opt Pride Month |url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/disney-rebrands-pride-no-lgbtq-support |website=Bitch |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712054914/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/disney-rebrands-pride-no-lgbtq-support |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |date=June 18, 2021 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}

The Owl House Latin American dub in September 2021 was met with criticism by both viewers and Roque for portraying Raine as a cisgender male instead of non-binary.{{Cite tweet |last=Roque |first=Avi |user=ok_roque |number=1436386020899975169 |date= |title=‼️Se me ha comunicado que en el doblaje en español de Raine en #TheOwlHouse usan el pronombre masculino, pero en realidad, Raine usa elle. Me entristece y ojalá pudiera hacer algo para remediarlo. Espero que @DisneyTVA lo arregle pronto‼️ |trans-title=‼️ I have been told that in the Spanish dub of Raine in #TheOwlHouse they use the masculine pronoun, but in reality, Raine uses elle. It makes me sad and I wish I could do something about it. I hope @DisneyTVA will fix it soon ‼️ |language=es |access-date=March 20, 2022 |link=https://twitter.com/ok_roque/status/1436386020899975169 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119034001/https://twitter.com/ok_roque/status/1436386020899975169 |archive-date=January 19, 2022 }} The character has also been portrayed as a cisgender male in other dubs.

In April 2022, Peter C. Kunze, a historian at Tulane University argued that there is a "long history of LGBTQ audiences and employees supporting, even saving, the company from veritable demise." He also said that Disney relied on LGBTQ people to "revamp its animated films", taking the example of Howard Ashman, an openly gay man who was the lyricist for The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Kunze argued that Disney CEO Bob Chapek should remember the company's history and "understand the invaluable contributions LGBTQ communities have made to the company he leads."{{cite news|last=Kunze|first=Peter|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/04/22/lbgtq-audiences-artists-helped-save-disney/|title=LBGTQ audiences and artists helped save Disney|newspaper=Washington Post|date=April 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422110450/https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2022/04/22/lbgtq-audiences-artists-helped-save-disney/|archive-date=April 22, 2022|url-status=live}}

In May 2025, Disney Experiences announced that they will team up with Miral, Abu Dhabi's leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences to create a landmark Disney theme park resort in Abu Dhabi.{{Cite web |last=Frank |date=2025-05-07 |title=Disney Announces Plans for New Theme Park and Resort with Miral in Abu Dhabi |url=https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-announces-abu-dhabi-theme-park/ |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=The Walt Disney Company |language=en-US}} The announcement was met with mixed reception among the public as well the LGTBQ+ community as the country is known for many laws that target the LGTBQ+ community.{{Cite web |last=Kornick |first=Lindsay |date=2025-05-07 |title=Disney's new Abu Dhabi theme park contradicts stance on Florida's so-called 'Don't Say Gay' bill |url=https://www.foxnews.com/media/disneys-new-abu-dhabi-theme-park-contradicts-stance-floridas-so-called-dont-say-gay-bill |access-date=2025-05-08 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}

Disney executives did not always receive LGBTQ characters and relationships positively. They, for instance, axed a proposed lesbian relationship in Gravity Falls, at the same time that The Amazing World of Gumball, a series on Disney's competitor Cartoon Network, was censored for supposed "homosexual overtones" by various countries. The former National Expert Commission of Ukraine on the Protection of Public Morality advised in 2012 the banning of SpongeBob SquarePants on the grounds that it promoted homosexuality.{{cite web |last1=Manzella |first1=Sam |title=9 Cartoons That Were Censored For Being Too Gay |url=http://www.newnownext.com/gay-cartoons-censored/02/2018/ |website=Logo TV |access-date=March 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318042826/http://www.newnownext.com/gay-cartoons-censored/02/2018/ |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |date=February 27, 2018 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} In June 2021, David Levine, a former Disney executive who oversaw kids programming for 16 years, said that "a lot of conservative opinion" driving depictions of characters of the Disney Channel, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon, with no hope for LGBTQ representation, saying he still has similar conversations to this day.

A show created by Terry Jones and Gavin Scott, Blazing Dragons, aired on Teletoon in Canada, Spacetoon in Arab countries, and Canal+ in France from 1996 to 1998. In the series, Sir Blaze is a member of the Square Table, and is flamboyant and effeminate. Throughout the series, he is implied to be gay. His implicit homosexuality was censored when the series aired on Toon Disney in the United States.{{cite web|url=https://animatedviews.com/2020/the-blazing-dragons-of-monty-pythons-terry-jones/|title=The Blazing Dragons of Monty Python's Terry Jones|last=Short|first=Dan|date=February 28, 2020|website=Animated Views|access-date=June 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616151626/https://animatedviews.com/2020/the-blazing-dragons-of-monty-pythons-terry-jones/|archive-date=June 16, 2020|url-status=live}}

The episode from the original Proud Family series "Who You Calling a Sissy" was pulled from the network after its initial airing on August 12, 2005, as a result of regarding Michael's sexual orientation while frequently being called a "sissy" at the time. The ban was lifted in 2020 as the episode is available to stream on Disney+. In February 2021, Ralph Farquhar revealed that in The Proud Family, which aired on the Disney Channel from 2001 to 2005, they had to use "code to talk about if Michael was gay, to talk about sexuality" and to be "sort of underhanded about it." He said this changed with The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder with the biggest changes to the show were "gender identity, obviously racial identity and quote-unquote wokeness," and said that sexuality can be "sort of in your face with it a lot more," manifesting itself in the storytelling. Bruce W. Smith also said that the show has more than "just one gay person...representing the entire LGBTQ+ spectrum" and said that it is "not fair" to only have one LGBTQ character in the series.{{cite web|last=Wolfe|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/the-proud-family-returns-to-screens-louder-prouder-even-more-authentic/|title='The Proud Family' Returns to Screens Louder, Prouder & Even More Authentic!|website=Animation Magazine|date=February 4, 2022|access-date=February 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204183522/https://www.animationmagazine.net/streaming/the-proud-family-returns-to-screens-louder-prouder-even-more-authentic/|archive-date=February 4, 2022|url-status=live}} Barry and Randell kiss in the episode "Father Figures". It is the first Disney series to feature a same-sex kiss between a married couple. Screen Rant argued that the revival broke down barriers through inclusion of multicultural families and characters belonging to the LGBTQ+ community.{{cite web|last=Cronin|first=Lindsay|url=https://screenrant.com/proud-family-reboot-billy-porter-zachary-quinto-cast/|title=Proud Family Reboot Casts Billy Porter, EJ Johnson, & Zachary Quinto|website=Screen Rant|date=May 14, 2021|access-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513024033/https://screenrant.com/proud-family-reboot-billy-porter-zachary-quinto-cast/|archive-date=May 13, 2021|url-status=live}}

On March 10, 2022, Pixar employees argued that "nearly every moment" of openly gay affection was cut due to demands from Disney executives, even if creative teams and Pixar executives objected, arguing that these employees are being barred from creating queer content in animated films.{{cite web|last=Cumber|first=Joseph|url=https://screenrant.com/disney-pixar-movies-lgbtq-inclusive-content-staff-statement/|title=Pixar Employees Say Disney Censored LGBTQ+ Inclusive Content Efforts|website=Screen Rant|date=March 10, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220315221814/https://screenrant.com/disney-pixar-movies-lgbtq-inclusive-content-staff-statement/|archive-date=March 15, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=White|first=Abbey|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pixar-employees-disney-statement-lgbtq-community-hollow-1235108281/|title=Pixar Employees Say Disney's Statement on Commitment to LGBTQ Community Rang Hollow|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 9, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316194455/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pixar-employees-disney-statement-lgbtq-community-hollow-1235108281/|archive-date=March 16, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220318-florida-don-t-say-gay-bill-spells-headache-for-disney|title=Florida 'Don't say gay' bill spells headache for Disney|website=France 24|date=March 20, 2022|publisher=Agence-France Presse|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318050717/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220318-florida-don-t-say-gay-bill-spells-headache-for-disney|archive-date=March 18, 2022|url-status=live}} Some critics countered that Pixar also downplayed queer moments in films like Turning Red with the character Priya Mangal.{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/turning-red-confirms-pixar-lgbt-problem/|last=Matadeen|first=Renaldo|title=Turning Red Confirms Pixar's LGBT Problem Is Real|website=Comic Book Resources|date=March 16, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318092314/https://www.cbr.com/turning-red-confirms-pixar-lgbt-problem/|archive-date=March 18, 2022|url-status=live}}

File:ND Stevenson.jpg is the creator of the webcomic, Nimona]]

In March 2022, amid the controversy of Disney's involvement in Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act and lack of criticism from CEO Bob Chapek until after the bill had passed, three former Blue Sky staff members stated the Nimona film received pushback from Disney leadership, centered around the film's LGBT themes and a same-sex kiss.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Travis |title=Disney raised concerns about a same-sex kiss in the unreleased animated movie 'Nimona,' former Blue Sky staffers say |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-disapproved-same-sex-kiss-nimona-movie-former-staffers-say-2022-3 |access-date=March 17, 2022 |website=Business Insider |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317214246/https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-disapproved-same-sex-kiss-nimona-movie-former-staffers-say-2022-3|archive-date=March 17, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Hermanns|first=Grant|url=https://screenrant.com/nomona-movie-same-sex-kiss-scene-disney-response/|title=Disney Took Issue With Same-Sex Kiss In Nimona Movie, Say Former Blue Sky Staff|website=Screen Rant|date=March 18, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320191629/https://screenrant.com/nomona-movie-same-sex-kiss-scene-disney-response/|archive-date=March 20, 2022|url-status=live}} While staffers said that the kiss scene was taken out of presentations to Disney executives, they said still held out hope that it would be included in the final film.{{cite web|last=Codega|first=Linda|url=https://gizmodo.com/disney-dont-say-gay-nimona-movie-scrapped-lgbtq-kiss-1848671768|title=Report: Disney Didn't Want to See the Nimona Movie's Gay Kiss|website=Gizmodo|date=March 18, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318185628/https://gizmodo.com/disney-dont-say-gay-nimona-movie-scrapped-lgbtq-kiss-1848671768|archive-date=March 18, 2022|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Baska|first=Megan|url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/03/18/blue-sky-disney-nimona-same-sex-kiss-lgbt/|title=Disney 'pressured' animators to censor same-sex kiss in Nimona movie, staffers say|website=PinkNews|date=March 18, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318163813/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2022/03/18/blue-sky-disney-nimona-same-sex-kiss-lgbt/|archive-date=March 18, 2022|url-status=live}} It was also reported in mid-March 2022 that a same-sex kiss in Lightyear, which was released on June 17, was reinstated, with the film featuring the studio's "first-ever on-screen kiss between two characters of the same gender" between Alisha Hawthorne and her wife Kiko.{{cite web|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/disneysaygay-developments-lightyear-same-sex-kiss-reinstated-blue-sky-staff-notes-nimona-pushback/|title=#DisneySayGay Updates: 'Lightyear' Same-Sex Kiss Reinstated, Blue Sky Staff Reveals 'Nimona' Pushback|website=Animation Magazine|date=March 18, 2022|access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320193906/https://www.animationmagazine.net/top-stories/disneysaygay-developments-lightyear-same-sex-kiss-reinstated-blue-sky-staff-notes-nimona-pushback/|archive-date=March 20, 2022|url-status=live}}

After Lightyear performed poorly at the box office, Pixar was alleged to have attributed the financial failure to the same-sex kiss. This resulted in modifications being enforced during production of Inside Out 2 to make the character of Riley seem "less gay", to the point of making modifications to lighting in scenes in which she is seen interacting with her friend Val, despite Riley having not been intended to be gay in the first place. An anonymous source stated to IGN that many Pixar staff members "accepted the fact that we may never see a major gay character in a Pixar movie".{{cite web|last=Studman|first=Alex|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/inside-out-2-was-the-hit-pixar-needed-but-the-laid-off-employees-who-crunched-on-it-are-still-hurting|title=Inside Out 2 Was the Hit Pixar Needed, but the Laid-Off Employees Who Crunched on It Are Still Hurting|website=IGN|date=October 2, 2024|orig-date=September 16, 2024|access-date=November 15, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917005235/https://www.ign.com/articles/inside-out-2-was-the-hit-pixar-needed-but-the-laid-off-employees-who-crunched-on-it-are-still-hurting|archive-date=September 17, 2024|url-status=live}}

In November 2024, Polygon reported that the Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur season 2 episode "The Gatekeeper", about Brooklyn facing discrimination for being a transgender girl, was shelved by Disney before it aired. Several crew members, like storyboarder Derrick Malick Johnson, asserted on social media that Disney decided not to air the episode because of "which party that won the recent election" which likely referred to the victory of Donald Trump and the Republican Party in the 2024 United States presidential election.{{cite web|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|url=https://www.polygon.com/news/479614/disney-reportedly-pulls-marvels-moon-girl-and-dinosaur-episode-over-trans-athlete-story|title=Disney reportedly pulls Marvel's Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur episode over trans athlete story|website=Polygon|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=November 15, 2024|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241115181109/https://www.polygon.com/news/479614/disney-reportedly-pulls-marvels-moon-girl-and-dinosaur-episode-over-trans-athlete-story|archive-date=November 15, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://bsky.app/profile/aworkersignited.bsky.social/post/3lax2ijxcrk2y|title=Disappointing is an understatement. Shame on Disney for cutting this episode during a time when trans kids and teens could likely use media like this the most.|author=Animation Workers United|publisher=Bluesky|date=November 14, 2024|access-date=November 15, 2024|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241115181159/https://bsky.app/profile/aworkersignited.bsky.social/post/3lax2ijxcrk2y|archive-date=November 15, 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Johnson|first=Derick Malik|url=https://bsky.app/profile/derrickmjohnson.bsky.social/post/3larwzdfvfk2y|title=So guess i finally got hit with one of the projects (episode) i worked on is getting shelved because of which party that won the recent election. It breaks my heart knowing this impactful and amazing is now about to be consider a lost media episode.|date=November 12, 2024|website=Bluesky|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241114230713/https://bsky.app/profile/derrickmjohnson.bsky.social/post/3larwzdfvfk2y|archive-date=November 14, 2024|url-status=dead}} Later reporting by Collider asserted the episode has been on hold for over a year, which had nothing to do with the election results, but that it was unclear if it "will ever be officially released." They also reported that the episode was leaked on YouTube and noted criticism of the decision to not release the episode by storyboarder Emmy Cicirega, Amphibia creator Matt Braly, indie animation writer Dave Capdevielle, and The Owl House creator Dana Terrace.{{cite web|last=Mulliax|first=Hope|url=https://collider.com/moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-season-2-episode-leak-lgbt-plot/|title=Marvel's 'Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur' Episode Allegedly Removed by Disney for Sensitive LGBT+ Plot Leaks Online [Update]|website=Collider|date=November 15, 2024|access-date=November 15, 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20241116040317/https://collider.com/moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-season-2-episode-leak-lgbt-plot/|archive-date=November 16, 2024|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Pulliam-Moore |first=Charles |date=November 15, 2024 |title=Disney has reportedly pulled a Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur episode for telling a trans-inclusive story |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/15/24297438/moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-the-gatekeeper |access-date=November 15, 2024 |website=The Verge |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123124937/https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/15/24297438/moon-girl-and-devil-dinosaur-the-gatekeeper|archive-date=January 23, 2025}} James Whitbrook of io9, after reviewing the leaked footage, noted that "the episode is clearly not subtle" with its focus on Brooklyn and "the explicit prejudice she faces as a trans teen who wants to participate in school sports".{{Cite web |last=Whitbrook |first=James |date=November 15, 2024 |title=Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Episode Allegedly Scrubbed Over Trans Storyline |url=https://gizmodo.com/moon-girl-devil-dinosaur-season-2-censorship-trans-episode-disney-2000525143 |access-date=November 15, 2024 |website=Gizmodo |publisher=io9 |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115002858/https://gizmodo.com/moon-girl-devil-dinosaur-season-2-censorship-trans-episode-disney-2000525143|archive-date=January 15, 2025 }} Whitbrook reported that a Disney source claimed the intent of the hold was "to ensure material doesn't potentially push ahead discussions around social issues before families can have them themselves", however, Whitbrook also commented that "it would not be the first time Disney has capitulated to right-wing systems of power by censoring its own material". Despite being unreleased, the episode won a Velma Award, from the non-profit LGBT organization, The Rainbow Project, which was co-founded by Chris Nee, Kristi Reed, and Jeremy Blacklow.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Abbey |date=December 10, 2024 |title='Heartstopper,' 'Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,' Among Inaugural Winners of The Velma Awards (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/heartstopper-primos-monster-high-velma-awards-winners-1236080133/ |access-date=December 11, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241222131747/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/heartstopper-primos-monster-high-velma-awards-winners-1236080133/|archive-date=December 22, 2024}}

On December 17, 2024, Deadline Hollywood reported that Disney removed a storyline related to a transgender character in an episode within an upcoming Pixar television series Win or Lose, with the company's spokesperson saying that "when it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline" while the character remains in the series, lines of dialogue that referenced gender identity were cut.{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=December 17, 2024 |title=Disney Pulls Transgender Storyline From 'Win Or Lose' Pixar Series |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/disney-pulls-transgender-storyline-win-or-lose-pixar-series-1236208821/ |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218025216/https://deadline.com/2024/12/disney-pulls-transgender-storyline-win-or-lose-pixar-series-1236208821/ |archive-date=December 18, 2024 |url-status=live}} It was also reported that the decision to cut this storyline had happened "several months ago".{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=December 17, 2024 |title=Disney Pulls Transgender Storyline from Pixar's 'Win or Lose' Streaming Series (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/disney-pulls-transgender-storyline-win-or-lose-1236088172/ |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218000720/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/disney-pulls-transgender-storyline-win-or-lose-1236088172/ |archive-date=December 18, 2024 |url-status=live}} Chanel Stewart, the transgender actress who voices Kai, the character in question, criticized the decision, calling it "upsetting," disenheartening, and stated that "trans stories matter, and...deserve to be heard" and noted her character would be a "straight cis girl" instead.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/win-or-lose-transgender-actress-speaks-after-disney-cuts-storyline-1236209109/|title='Win Or Lose' Transgender Actress Speaks Out After Disney Cuts Her Storyline: "Very Disheartened"|first=Lynette|last=Rice|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=December 17, 2024|access-date=December 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241218023456/https://deadline.com/2024/12/win-or-lose-transgender-actress-speaks-after-disney-cuts-storyline-1236209109/ |archive-date=December 18, 2024 |url-status=live}} Following the announcement, a petition calling on Disney to reinstate the storyline garnered thousands of signatures.{{cite web|url=https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/12/20/petition-reinstate-transgender-storyline-disney-pixar-win-or-lose/|title=Petition to reinstate transgender storyline in Disney Pixar's Win or Lose gets thousands of signatures|work=PinkNews|date=December 20, 2024|access-date=December 31, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241230204325/https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/12/20/petition-reinstate-transgender-storyline-disney-pixar-win-or-lose/|archive-date=December 30, 2024 }} Another character that was censored was Hannah who used they/them pronouns in the original cut.{{Cite web |last=Flook |first=Ray |date=April 1, 2025 |title=Win or Lose: Pixar Animator Posts Kai's Original Trans Storyline Look|url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/win-or-lose-pixar-animator-posts-kais-original-trans-storyline-look/|access-date=April 2, 2025 |website=Bleeding Cool}}

{{expand section|date=December 2023}}

In February 2021, Deadline reported that the film adaptation of Nimona was cancelled due to the shutdown of Blue Sky Studios.{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/blue-sky-studios-closing-disney-ice-age-franchise-animation-1234690310/|title=Disney Closing Blue Sky Studios, Fox's Once-Dominant Animation House Behind 'Ice Age' Franchise|work=Deadline|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=February 4, 2021|access-date=February 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210209175505/https://deadline.com/2021/02/blue-sky-studios-closing-disney-ice-age-franchise-animation-1234690310/|archive-date=February 9, 2021|url-status=live}} Webcomics commenter Gary Tyrrell criticized the decision, saying, "[Disney] could have allowed a very different kind of young heroine... I mourn for those who would have found a vision of themselves in an animated version".{{Cite web|last=Tyrrell|first=Gary|date=February 10, 2021|title=We All Knew It Was Coming|url=http://fleen.com/2021/02/10/we-all-knew-it-was-coming/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211215004/http://fleen.com/2021/02/10/we-all-knew-it-was-coming/|archive-date=February 11, 2021|access-date=February 11, 2021|website=Fleen}} Sources told CBR that the film was "75% complete".{{Cite web|last=Laman|first=Douglas|date=2021-02-10|title=Disney's Blue Sky Shut Down Leaves Nimona Film 75% Completed|url=https://www.cbr.com/nimona-film-abandoned-disney-blue-sky-shut-down/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-02-22|website=CBR|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211075608/https://www.cbr.com/nimona-film-abandoned-disney-blue-sky-shut-down/ |archive-date=2021-02-11 }} Anonymous staffers at Blue Sky interviewed by Business Insider bemoaned the cancellation of the film, calling it "heartbreaking," arguing that the film "didn't look like anything else in the animated world," and saying that they believe it will never "be completed and released."{{Cite web|last=Clark|first=Travis|date=February 18, 2021|title=Staffers at the animation studio Blue Sky say it's 'heartbreaking' that Disney canceled its final movie, 'Nimona'|url=https://news.yahoo.com/staffers-animation-studio-blue-sky-184530034.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210218233403/https://news.yahoo.com/staffers-animation-studio-blue-sky-184530034.html|archive-date=February 18, 2021|access-date=February 19, 2021|website=Yahoo! News|publisher=Business Insider}} A few staffers confirmed to BuzzFeed News that the film had an "I love you" scene between Blackheart and Goldenloin.{{Cite web|last=Strapagiel|first=Lauren|date=February 24, 2021|title=Disney's First Feature Animated Movie With Queer Leads May Never Be Released|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/disney-nimona-movie-lgbtq-characters|url-status=live|archive-date=February 25, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210225194629/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/laurenstrapagiel/disney-nimona-movie-lgbtq-characters|access-date=February 25, 2021|website=BuzzFeed News}} In June 2021, Mey Rude, a writer for Out, said she still held out "hope that this film...will find its way back to life somehow."{{cite web|url=https://www.out.com/film/2021/7/01/9-new-upcoming-queer-animated-films-shorts-were-dying-see#media-gallery-media-6|title=9 New, Upcoming Queer Animated Films & Shorts We're Dying to See|date=July 1, 2021|access-date=July 2, 2021|website=Out|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701202121/https://www.out.com/film/2021/7/01/9-new-upcoming-queer-animated-films-shorts-were-dying-see|archive-date=July 1, 2021|url-status=live}} In July 2021, Meggie Gates in Bitch, said the film would have been Disney's first "legitimately queer film" and could have been a turning point "for how the corporation handles queerness" but that the Disney chose to "bury its gays" by cancelling the film, a blow to queer Disney fans.{{cite web |last1=Gates |first1=Meggie |title=Once Again, Disney Attempts to Co-opt Pride Month |url=https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/disney-rebrands-pride-no-lgbtq-support |website=Bitch |access-date=September 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210712054914/https://www.bitchmedia.org/article/disney-rebrands-pride-no-lgbtq-support |archive-date=July 12, 2021 |date=July 18, 2021 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all}} Annapurna Pictures revived the film with the animation being finished by DNEG Animation, and released it on Netflix in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/23020252/nimona-movie-netflix-blue-sky-nd-stevenson-disney|title=Nimona movie finds a second life at Netflix|first1=Petrana|last1=Radulovic|website=Polygon|date=April 11, 2022|access-date=April 11, 2022}}

On October 5, 2021, in an AMA on Reddit, Dana Terrace, the creator of The Owl House, explained the show was cancelled not because of ratings or the COVID-19 pandemic, but rather because business people at Disney believed it did not fit "into the Disney brand." She stated that this was the case due to the serialized nature of the show and an audience which "skews older," rather than due to its LGBTQ+ representation, saying she wouldn't "assume bad faith" against those she works within Los Angeles. She also noted that due to the pandemic, budgets were constrained, episodes were cut, and noted that she wasn't allowed to present a case for a fourth season, and said she believed there was a future for the show if Disney Television Studios had "different people in charge."{{cite web|last=Zogbi|first=Emily|url=https://www.cbr.com/owl-house-creator-disney-exec-brand-fit/|title=Owl House Was Canceled Due To Exec Deciding It Didn't Fit the Disney Brand|website=CBR|date=October 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005225255/https://www.cbr.com/owl-house-creator-disney-exec-brand-fit/|archive-date=October 5, 2021|url-status=live}}

On December 11, 2020, a project by Molly Ostertag, for Disney Television Animation under the name Neon Galaxy, was registered.{{Cite web|url=https://cocatalog.loc.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?v1=1&ti=1,1&Search%5FArg=NEON%20GALAXY&Search%5FCode=FT%2A&CNT=25&PID=uiWgmChiJbXBdX4GfjbbRFG4QH&SEQ=20220226170707&SID=1|title = WebVoyage}} In September 2024, Ostertag announced that Neon Galaxy, a series set "in the distant future," was not moving forward at Disney, noting that it had been cancelled a few months prior despite production work for four and a half years and positive response from "kids who saw materials in early demographic testing" and songs by Betty Who. She also noted that it is a "weird, bad time" in the U.S. animation industry, with difficulty in getting series approved, and hoped The Animation Guild can win gains from the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers during negotiations for a new contract, and said that "for now, this is a farewell" for Neon Galaxy while adding "maybe one day I’ll be back."{{Cite web |last=Ostertag |first=Molly Knox |date=September 18, 2024 |title=Neon Galaxy |url=https://ostertag.substack.com/p/neon-galaxy |website=In The Telling |publisher=Substack|access-date=September 19, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918170832/https://ostertag.substack.com/p/neon-galaxy|archive-date=September 18, 2024|url-status=live}} In November 2024, following the leak of the shelved Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur episode "The Gatekeeper", Ostertag speculated that Neon Galaxy was "killed" because two members of the main cast were openly transgender.{{Cite tweet |number=1857501006235312200 |user=MollyOstertag |title=[Thread] So glad this is being shared...power to whatever brave soul uploaded it! [Quote tweet on "The Gatekeeper"] [1/3] do I KNOW that the show I worked on at that company for 4.5 years was killed right before greenlight because two out of the six main characters were trans? no. and I'd genuinely love to be wrong. [2/3] however, a fully animated episode of a popular show being pulled because of trans content certainly lends strength to that idea, which I've always wondered about. [3/3] |first=Molly |last=Ostertag |date=November 15, 2024 |access-date=February 26, 2025|archive-url=https://archive.today/20250304165058/https://x.com/MollyOstertag/status/1857501006235312200|archive-date=March 4, 2025}}

Some Disney animated series, with LGBTQ representation, have been nominated for awards. From 2018 to 2025, ten animated series were nominated for the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Kids and Family Programming: Doc McStuffins for the episode "The Emergency Plan" (2018),{{cite web |last1=Chuba |first1=Kirsten |title=GLAAD Media Awards Nominees: Full List |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/awards/glaad-media-awards-nominees-2018-list-1202668763/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=June 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180421025120/https://variety.com/2018/film/awards/glaad-media-awards-nominees-2018-list-1202668763/ |archive-date=April 21, 2018 |date=January 19, 2018 |url-status=live |issn=0042-2738}} The Owl House (2021, 2022, 2023),{{cite web |last1=Raymos |first1=Dino-Ray |title=GLAAD Unveils Nominees For 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards; Deadline's New Hollywood Podcast Honored With Special Recognition Award |url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/glaad-media-awards-32nd-annual-deadlines-new-hollywood-podcast-representation-inclusion-diversity-lgtbq-1234681899/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=March 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128190335/https://deadline.com/2021/01/glaad-media-awards-32nd-annual-deadlines-new-hollywood-podcast-representation-inclusion-diversity-lgtbq-1234681899/ |archive-date=January 28, 2021 |date=January 28, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Gardner |first1=Chris |title=GLAAD Media Awards: Lil Nas X, Eternals, Sex Education and Yellowjackets Among Nominees |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/glaad-awards-nominees-full-list-1235076883/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=January 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128193436/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/lifestyle-news/glaad-awards-nominees-full-list-1235076883/ |archive-date=January 28, 2022 |date=January 19, 2022 |url-status=live |issn=0018-3660}}{{cite web |last=Complex |first=Valerie |date=January 18, 2023 |title=GLAAD Announces Nominees For The 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/2023-glaad-media-awards-nominations-film-tv-journalism-nominees-34th-edition-1235224677/ |access-date=January 18, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Amphibia (2022, 2023), The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2023, 2024), Firebuds (2024, 2025),{{cite web |last1=Swift |first1=Andy |title=GLAAD Media Award Nominations: Heartstopper, The Last of Us, RuPaul's Drag Race and More — See Full List |url=https://tvline.com/awards/glaad-media-awards-nominations-full-list-tv-movie-nominees-1235113911/ |website=TVLine |date=17 January 2024 |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=January 17, 2024}}{{cite web |last1=Pederson |first1=Erik |title=GLAAD Media Awards Nominations Revealed; 'Emilia Pérez' Snubbed |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/glaad-media-awards-nominations-2025-list-1236260334/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 22, 2025 |access-date=January 22, 2025}} The Ghost and Molly McGee (2024), Hailey's On It! (2024, 2025), Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2024, 2025)., Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures (2025), Kiff (2025), Monsters at Work (2025) and Primos (2025). In 2024, Hailey's On It! became the first Disney animated series to win the award.{{cite web |last1=Tapp |first1=Tom |title=GLAAD Media Award Winners Include 'Ted Lasso', 'Yellowjackets', 'RuPaul's Drag Race' & Reneé Rapp |url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/glaad-media-award-winners-2024-1235859216/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=March 15, 2024 |date=March 14, 2024}}

In 2022, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder was nominated for the Outstanding Animated Series category at the 1st Children's and Family Emmy Awards, while the voice directors of Amphibia and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder were nominated for the Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series category.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} The previous year The Owl House was listed among the "Children's & Youth honorees" of the Peabody Awards.[https://peabodyawards.com/award-profile/the-owl-house/ "The Owl House,"] from PeabodyAwards.com, 6/21/2021

In 2023, at the 2nd Children's and Family Emmy Awards, the Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur series premiere won the award for Outstanding Animated Special, with the series also nominated for the "Outstanding Children's or Young Teen Animated Series" category along with Big City Greens. In addition, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur writers Lisa Muse Bryant, Jeffrey M. Howard, Kate Kondell, Liz Hara, Halima Lucas, Maggie Rose, and Taylor Vaughn Lasley were nominated for the "Outstanding Writing for an Animated Program" category.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} Sam Riegel was awarded the "Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated Series" award for Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, while Eden Riegel was only nominated for The Ghost and Molly McGee.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} Kaz Aiwaza was awarded for Individual Achievement in Animation in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur{{Cite web |last=Zahed |first=Ramin |date=December 8, 2023 |title= Exclusive: Children's and Family Emmy Winners for Individual Achievement in Animation Are Announced|url=https://www.animationmagazine.net/2023/12/children-and-family-emmy-winners-for-individual-achievement-in-animation-are-announced/ |access-date=December 9, 2023 |website=Animation Magazine |language=en-US}} and Tatiana Bull, Aaron Drown, and Jennifer Trujillo were awarded the Outstanding Casting for an Animated Program award for Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, with Tatiana Bull and Aaron Drown of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder as a competitor, which was nominated.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}} Sandra Powers, Ryan Burkhard, and Phil Lomboy were nominated for Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program for Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Also, in 2023, Strange World and Lightyear were nominated for the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Film – Wide Release.{{cite web |last1=Complex |first1=Valerie |title=GLAAD Announces Nominees For The 34th Annual GLAAD Media Awards |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/2023-glaad-media-awards-nominations-film-tv-journalism-nominees-34th-edition-1235224677/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |access-date=January 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118174456/https://deadline.com/2023/01/2023-glaad-media-awards-nominations-film-tv-journalism-nominees-34th-edition-1235224677/ |archive-date=January 18, 2023 |date=January 18, 2023 |url-status=live}} Previously, in 2022, Tim Evatt was nominated for the Art Directors Guild Award for Excellence in Production Design for an Animated Film for his art direction on the film Lightyear.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/artisans/awards/art-directors-guild-2023-nominations-1235481698/ |title='Elvis,' 'Babylon,' 'Avatar: The Way of Water' Lead Art Directors Guild 2023 Nominations |first=Jazz |last=Tangcay |publisher=Variety |date=9 January 2023}}

• Netflix and LGBT representation in animation
• Nickelodeon and LGBT representation
• Cartoon Network and LGBT representation
• LGBTQ themes in Western animation
• Cross-dressing in film and television
• Independent animation#Representations
• List of animated films with LGBT characters
• List of bisexual characters in animation
• List of cross-dressing characters in animated series
• List of fictional asexual characters
• List of fictional intersex characters
• List of fictional non-binary characters
• List of fictional pansexual characters
• List of fictional trans characters
• List of gay characters in animation
• List of lesbian characters in animation
• List of LGBT-related films by year

{{reflist}}

• {{cite news|last=Benecke|first=Joanna|title=Why don't we see LGBT parents portrayed in children's films? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/mar/25/gay-parents-kids-films-pixar-disney-frozen |work=The Guardian |date=25 March 2014}}
• {{cite news|title=Disney promises LGBT 'commitment': 'We want to represent our audience' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-51871026 |work=BBC News |date=13 March 2020}}
• {{cite news|last1=Baume |first1=Matt |title=Disney Films Have "Poor" LGBTQ+ Representation |url=https://www.them.us/story/disney-films-have-poor-lgbtq-representation |work=.them |date=8 August 2021}}
• {{cite news|last1=Bump |first1=Emily |title=15 Times Disney Featured LGBTQ+ Characters In Movies & TV Shows |url=https://screenrant.com/disney-lgbt-characters-movies-tv-shows/ |work=Screen Rant |date=28 June 2021}}
• {{cite news|last1=Brown |first1=Tracy |title=Why token LGBTQ representation in Disney films isn't enough |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-03-10/onward-lgbtq-representation-disney-pixar |work=Los Angeles Times |date=10 March 2020}}
• {{cite book|last1=Griffin |first1=Sean P. |title=Tinker Belles and Evil Queens: The Walt Disney Company from the Inside Out |date=2000 |publisher=New York University Press |location=New York City |isbn=9780814738702 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mOmgBwAAQBAJ }}
• {{cite news |last1=Laman |first1=Douglas |title=Why Disney Is Failing at LGBTQ+ Representation |url=https://collider.com/why-disney-queer-representation-is-failing/ |work=Collider |date=8 August 2021 |archive-date=21 March 2022 |access-date=21 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321031728/https://collider.com/why-disney-queer-representation-is-failing/ |url-status=dead }}
• {{cite journal |last1=Maier |first1=Kodi |date=October 2017 |title=Camping Outside the Magic Kingdom's Gates: The Power of Femslash in the Disney Fandom |url=http://ojs.meccsa.org.uk/index.php/netknow/article/download/514/340 |journal=Networking Knowledge |volume=10 |issue=3 |pages=27–32, 41 |doi=10.31165/nk.2017.103.514 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228073319/http://ojs.meccsa.org.uk/index.php/netknow/article/download/514/340 |access-date=March 20, 2022|archive-date=2020-02-28 |doi-access=free }}
• {{cite journal |last1=Fan |first1=Jason |date=November 2018 |title=Queering Disney animated films using a critical literacy lens |url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/19361653.2018.1537871 |journal= Journal of LGBT Youth |volume=16 |issue=2 |pages=27–32, 41 |doi=10.1080/19361653.2018.1537871 |s2cid=149968517 |access-date=March 20, 2022|url-access=subscription }}
• {{cite book|last1=Mana Vaz |first1=Priscila |last2=Pereira Toth |first2=Janderson |last3=de Oliveira Moreira |first3=Thaiane |chapter=From Disney to LGBTQ tales: The South-American Snow White in Over the Rainbow: Um Livro de Contos de Fadxs |title=Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: New Perspectives on Production, Reception, Legacy |date=2021 |editor-last1=Pallant |editor-first1=Chris |editor-last2=Holliday |editor-first2=Christopher |edition=1st |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic |location=New York |pages=217–220, 228–229 |chapter-url=https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-new-perspectives-on-production-reception-legacy/ch12-from-disney-to-lgbtq-tales-the-south-american-snow-white-in-over-the-rainbow-um-livro-de-contos-de-fadxs.pdf?dl |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ffRaEAAAQBAJ |doi=10.5040/9781501351198.ch-012|isbn=978-1-5013-5122-8 |s2cid=234235353 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210716044633/https://www.bloomsburycollections.com/book/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-new-perspectives-on-production-reception-legacy/ch12-from-disney-to-lgbtq-tales-the-south-american-snow-white-in-over-the-rainbow-um-livro-de-contos-de-fadxs.pdf?dl |archive-date=2021-07-16 }}
• {{cite news|last1=Minzner |first1=KJ|title=Disney Forbade Gravity Falls From Including LGBTQ+ Representation Says Creator |url=https://screenrant.com/gravity-falls-disney-lgbtq-representation-alex-hirsch/ |work=Screen Rant |date=10 August 2020}}
• {{cite magazine|last1=Taberrer|first1=Jamie|title=17 gay and LGBTQ Disney characters - from coded to canon to catastrophe|url=https://www.attitude.co.uk/article/17-gay-and-lgbtq-disney-characters-from-coded-to-canon-to-catastrophe/25910/|magazine=Attitude|date=10 October 2020}}
• {{cite journal |last1=Nabila |first1=Annisa Fikri |last2=Surwati |first2=Chatarina Heny Dwi |date=August 2, 2021 |title=REPRESENTASI LGBTQ DALAM FILM ANIMASI DISNEY |trans-title=LGBTQ REPRESENTATION IN DISNEY ANIMATION FILM |url=https://www.jurnalkommas.com/docs/Jurnal%20D1219007.pdf |journal=Journal Komunikasi Massa |volume=1 |pages=1–3 |access-date=March 20, 2022 |language=Indonesian}}
• {{cite book|title=Recasting the Disney Princess in an Era of New Media and Social Movements |date=2020 |editor-last1=Roberts |editor-first1=Shearon |edition=1st |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |location=Lanham, Maryland |isbn=9781793604026}}
• {{cite thesis|last=St. Jacques |first=Macie Lee |date=2021 |title="When will my reflection show who I am inside?": Queering Disney Fantasy" |type=Master of Arts |publisher=Rhode Island College |url=https://digitalcommons.ric.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1346&context=etd}}

{{LGBTQ fiction}}

Category:2000s animated television series

Category:2010s animated television series

Category:Animated television series

Category:Disney animation

Category:Discrimination against LGBTQ people

Category:LGBTQ portrayals in mass media

Category:LGBTQ-related animation

Category:LGBTQ-related controversies in animation

#

Category:2020s anti-LGBTQ movement in the United States