The upcoming Pixar movie ‘Lightyear’ has been making headlines recently, not just with its highly-anticipated release, but also with rumors circulating about the inclusion of a same-sex kiss. While Pixar has been known to embrace diversity and inclusivity in its films, some viewers and critics have been speculating whether we will see such representation in ‘Lightyear.’ In this blog post, we’ll explore the controversy surrounding this potential same-sex kiss and what it means for the representation of queer characters in mainstream media.
Pixar’s History with Diversity and Inclusivity
Before we dive into the controversy surrounding ‘Lightyear,’ let’s take a look at Pixar’s history with diversity and inclusivity in its films. In recent years, the animation studio has made efforts to represent more underrepresented communities in its movies. For example, ‘Coco’ (2017) is based on Mexican culture and features an entirely Latinx voice cast, while ‘Soul’ (2020) features Pixar’s first Black protagonist. Additionally, ‘Onward’ (2020) included a minor LGBTQ character, the first time Pixar had done so in a feature film.
While these efforts are commendable, Pixar has faced criticism for its limited representation of queer characters. Many have pointed out that while other underrepresented communities have had significant representation in Pixar films, the same cannot be said for the LGBTQ+ community. This is especially disappointing given that Pixar has had numerous opportunities to include such characters in its films, considering the vast array of characters and stories that it has explored over the years.
The Lightyear Controversy
So, what’s the controversy surrounding ‘Lightyear’? It all started when rumors began circulating that the movie would feature a same-sex kiss, which would make it the first Pixar film to do so. However, these rumors were dismissed by some fans who argued that it was unlikely that Pixar would take such a bold step, especially considering the family-friendly nature of its films.
But then, reports emerged that an original cut of the movie did, in fact, include a same-sex kiss. The scene was reportedly pulled from the film after a bill called the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill was passed in the state of Tennessee, which threatened to penalize teachers for discussing LGBTQ+ issues in classrooms. While Pixar has not confirmed the existence of this scene or the reason for its removal, the controversy has sparked a debate about the representation of queer characters in mainstream media.
The Importance of Visibility and Representation
The debate surrounding the potential same-sex kiss in ‘Lightyear’ highlights the importance of visibility and representation for marginalized communities. For LGBTQ+ individuals, seeing themselves represented positively in media can be powerful and affirming, especially for younger viewers who may be struggling to come to terms with their sexuality or gender identity.
Research has shown that exposure to positive representations of queer characters in media can have a positive impact on the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ individuals. On the other hand, the lack of representation or negative portrayals can contribute to feelings of isolation, rejection, and shame. For this reason, it is crucial that media companies like Pixar make an effort to include diverse and inclusive representation in their films.
Conclusion
While we may never know whether ‘Lightyear’ includes a same-sex kiss, the controversy surrounding the potential inclusion of such a scene highlights the importance of representation and visibility for marginalized communities. As society becomes more diverse and accepting, it is essential that media companies make a concerted effort to represent this diversity in their films and TV shows. Pixar has made some strides in this regard but still has a long way to go in terms of representing queer characters in its movies. Hopefully, with continued pressure and advocacy from LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies, we will see a positive shift in mainstream media towards more inclusive representation in the future.
FAQ
What was the first gay kiss in a movie?
The history of LGBTQ representation in cinema dates back over a century, and it has been a long and often contentious journey. For many years, depictions of same-sex relationships were censored or banned entirely, and it wasn’t until the latter half of the 20th century that these depictions became more common and accepted.
One milestone moment in LGBTQ cinema history was the first on-screen gay kiss. The honor of this important cinematic milestone is generally attributed to Cecil B. DeMille’s 1922 film Manslaughter. This silent film centered around the story of a wealthy woman who causes the death of a police officer, leading to a sensational trial and eventual prison sentence.
Within this plot line, a kiss between two male characters occurs. While not explicitly labeled as a “gay kiss” at the time of the film’s release, this moment was still groundbreaking due to the taboo nature of same-sex intimacy at that time. It is worth noting that this kiss was played for shock value and sensationalism, and was not meant to be viewed positively or as a representation of LGBTQ identity.
Another early example of same-sex intimacy in film can be found in German director F.W. Murnau’s 1926 silent film, Faust. The film included a scene in which a male demon seduces the titular character, and the two are briefly shown in bed together.
Despite these early examples, it would still be several decades before on-screen depictions of same-sex relationships became more common. Depictions of LGBTQ characters in Hollywood were heavily regulated by the Hays Code, which was in effect from 1930-1968 and included a ban on “suggestive” sexual content.
It wasn’t until the 1960s and 70s that depictions of same-sex relationships started to become more frequent and accepted. The 1961 film The Children’s Hour, directed by William Wyler, dealt with two female characters who are accused of having a lesbian relationship. While the film ultimately avoids showing any physical intimacy between the characters, it is still considered a landmark moment in the history of LGBTQ representation in cinema.
Other notable early depictions of same-sex relationships in film include the 1971 film Sunday Bloody Sunday, which centered around a love triangle involving two men and a woman, and the 1972 film Cabaret, which included a brief kiss between two male characters.
The first gay kiss in a movie is generally attributed to the 1922 film Manslaughter, although same-sex intimacy in film dates back even further than that. While early depictions of same-sex relationships were often sensationalized and played for shock value, they were still landmark moments in the history of LGBTQ representation in cinema. It wasn’t until several decades later that acceptance and depiction of same-sex intimacy became more common in film.
Why is Lightyear rated 21+?
Lightyear is an upcoming film from Pixar Animation Studios that aims to tell the origin story of Buzz Lightyear, the iconic toy astronaut from the Toy Story franchise. However, the film has garnered some controversy and confusion surrounding its rating. Unlike the previous Toy Story films which were rated G, Lightyear has been given a 21+ rating, which has left many fans curious about the reasons behind this rating.
The primary reason for Lightyear’s 21+ rating is that the film features a same-sex relationship between two characters. Although this is a relatively common occurrence in modern cinema, it has caused some controversy in certain countries around the world. For instance, in Russia, the government has introduced laws prohibiting “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships to minors,” which has resulted in many same-sex relationships being censored or banned from films and television shows. Because of this, Lightyear was given a higher rating to avoid any legal issues in countries with similar laws.
Another reason why Lightyear has been given a 21+ rating may be due to its darker and more mature themes. The film is intended to be a more serious and realistic take on the Buzz Lightyear character, which means it may deal with more intense subject matters. Pixar has stated that the film will be more action-oriented than previous Toy Story films, which could result in violent scenes and intense situations that may be too intense for younger viewers.
Finally, the 21+ rating may simply be a marketing strategy to appeal to an older demographic. With the Toy Story franchise being primarily aimed at children, Pixar may be looking to attract a more mature audience with Lightyear. A 21+ rating would indicate that the film is geared towards an older audience, which may increase its appeal to adults who grew up with the Toy Story franchise.
The reasons behind Lightyear’s 21+ rating are primarily due to its depiction of a same-sex relationship and more mature themes. Whether this rating will impact the film’s success remains to be seen, but it is clear that Pixar is taking a different approach to the Toy Story franchise with this new film.
Why does Buzz not age in Lightyear?
In the upcoming movie “Lightyear,” there has been a lot of discussion about how the film might fit within the established Toy Story universe. One question that has been particularly interesting to fans is why the protagonist, Buzz Lightyear, doesn’t seem to age throughout his various adventures as an astronaut.
There are a few possible explanations for this. First, it’s worth considering the fact that Buzz is not actually a living being – he’s a toy. As such, he doesn’t really experience the passage of time in the same way that a human or animal would. He’s essentially frozen in stasis until a child decides to play with him, at which point he springs to life and becomes fully animated.
However, this doesn’t quite explain why Buzz doesn’t appear to age between movies, since it’s implied that he’s constantly being played with by Andy (and later Bonnie). One possible answer to this mystery lies in the physics of space travel.
In the first Toy Story movie, Buzz famously believed that he was actually an intergalactic space ranger. While this turned out to be a delusion, it’s possible that Buzz’s subsequent adventures as a “real” astronaut may have involved traveling at relativistic speeds. This means that he could have experienced time differently than someone on Earth.
The theory of time dilation posits that as an object moves closer to the speed of light, time slows down for that object relative to a stationary observer. For example, if Buzz were traveling on a spacecraft that approached the speed of light, his personal experience of time would be slower than the experience of someone on Earth.
While this might seem like a small effect, it can actually add up over time. In one interview, Lightyear director Angus MacLane stated that “Buzz, in the vacuum of space, experiences time slowing down as he travels faster through space. So while he’s been gone 1 year, 7 years have gone by on Earth.” This could explain why Buzz doesn’t appear to have aged between the Toy Story movies and the upcoming Lightyear movie – even though many years have passed in our world, relatively little time has passed for Buzz himself.
Of course, it’s important to remember that this is all just speculation at this point. It’s possible that the Lightyear movie will provide a different explanation for why Buzz doesn’t age, or that the filmmakers will simply choose not to address the issue at all. Regardless, it’s always fun for fans to come up with their own theories and explanations for the mysteries of the Toy Story universe.