Pixar fans have been discussing the possibility of LGBT representation in their movies for a long time. While Pixar has included subtle nods to the LGBTQ community in their films previously, there has never been an explicitly LGBTQ character on screen – until now.
In the most recent Buzz Lightyear movie from Pixar, the character of Commander Alisha Hawthorne is revealed to be in a same-sex marriage with her partner Kiko. But who is the LGBT character Buzz Lightyear, and what does their inclusion in the film mean for representation in the animated film industry? Let’s take a closer look.
The Buzz Lightyear Movie
The movie in question is slated for release in 2022 and is titled “Lightyear.” It explores the origins of Buzz Lightyear, the character voiced by Tim Allen in the “Toy Story” franchise. However, in this movie, Chris Evans voices a younger version of the hero before he became a toy.
The film’s director, Angus MacLane, was recently interviewed and talked about the representation of diversity, including the inclusion of the LGBTQ character in the film. MacLane shared that the characters “reflect the life experiences and the world we live in” and that it was essential for him to make the characters feel real. He noted that having a character who is gay felt natural, and they “wanted to treat it like any relationship you would see in a movie.”
Buzz Lightyear and Commander Alisha Hawthorne
Finding out about Commander Alisha Hawthorne’s same-sex relationship with her partner, Kiko, was a pleasant surprise for many fans of the franchise. The “Toy Story” movies did have some subtle LGBTQ representation, with characters such as “Antie,” a male ant, and his winged husband. However, this is the first time that an explicitly LGBTQ relationship has been portrayed in a Pixar film.
The inclusion of a same-sex relationship in a Pixar film is an essential step towards promoting diversity and acceptance in film. With animated films having a large audience of children, it’s crucial that they see representation that reflects the world around them. Including characters from the LGBTQ community is an excellent way to promote visibility and normalize relationships that are traditionally ignored or marginalized in mainstream media.
The Importance of Inclusive Representation
Inclusive representation is essential, and it seems that the film industry is making progress towards that goal. However, this progress does have its challenges and, unfortunately, often results in criticism from audiences. For example, there have been calls to boycott the new Buzz Lightyear film from those who believe that its inclusion of a same-sex relationship is inappropriate.
It’s vital that, as a society, we understand the role media plays in shaping the attitudes and beliefs of children and young adults. When we include diversity in media, we increase the visibility of people who have traditionally been discriminated against. In turn, this can foster a more accepting and compassionate society.
Conclusion
The inclusion of a same-sex relationship in “Lightyear” is a monumental moment for Pixar and the animated film industry. Inclusive representation is crucial, and this film’s inclusion of a same-sex relationship is an excellent step forward. It’s essential that we continue to promote visibility and acceptance for all people, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. By doing so, we can create a world where everyone has the chance to be seen and celebrated for who they are.
FAQ
Do 2 guys kiss in Lightyear?
Yes, it has been reported that two male characters kiss in the upcoming animated movie “Lightyear.” “Lightyear” is a spinoff of the beloved “Toy Story” franchise and tells the origin story of the legendary space ranger Buzz Lightyear, who inspired the toy in the original films. According to a Twitter post by the film’s producer, the film includes a same-sex kiss, which is notable for Disney, as the company has long shied away from portraying explicitly LGBTQ+ characters in its movies.
While it’s true that Disney has included minor references to LGBTQ+ characters in some of its recent films, such as LeFou in the 2017 live-action remake of “Beauty and the Beast,” these characters were often criticized for being too subtle or not explicit enough. Additionally, many LGBTQ+ activists have called on Disney to include more representation of the community in its movies and TV shows.
Therefore, the reported inclusion of a same-sex kiss in “Lightyear” is a significant step forward for Disney in terms of LGBTQ+ representation. However, it remains unclear how prominent the two male characters are in the film and whether the kiss is a significant moment or a brief scene. Nevertheless, this news has already generated a lot of discussion and excitement among LGBTQ+ audiences and their allies, who see it as a sign of progress towards greater inclusivity and diversity in mainstream media.
It’s worth noting that some conservative groups and individuals have criticized Disney in the past for what they perceive as “pushing an agenda” or “promoting immorality,” particularly in regards to LGBTQ+ themes. It’s possible that the inclusion of a same-sex kiss in “Lightyear” will lead to similar backlash, although it remains to be seen how widespread or organized such opposition will be.
The reported inclusion of a same-sex kiss in “Lightyear” is a significant and positive development for Disney and for representation of LGBTQ+ characters in mainstream media. While there is still a long way to go in terms of achieving full equality and visibility for the LGBTQ+ community, it is encouraging to see more and more media companies taking steps towards inclusivity and diversity.
Are there any LGBTQ Disney characters?
In recent years, Disney has made significant strides in increasing representation and diversity in its films and television shows. One of the areas the company has focused on is including characters who identify within the LGBTQ+ community. While Disney has not yet released a film with a main character who is explicitly identified as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer, there have been some recent developments that show progress towards greater inclusivity.
The most notable of these developments is the introduction of Amity and Luz in Disney’s animated series, The Owl House. Amity and Luz represent Disney’s first animated LGBT+ female regular characters. In a Reddit AMA in September 2020, series creator Dana Terrace confirmed Amity as a lesbian. While this revelation was not explicitly shown in the series, it was hinted at through Amity’s body language and the way she interacted with Luz.
In the August 2020 episode of The Owl House, titled “Understanding Willow,” one of the main characters, Willow Park, is shown to have two dads named Gilbert and Harvey Park. The representation of a same-sex couple in a children’s show is a major step forward for Disney, which has previously been criticized for a lack of diversity in its films and TV shows.
While some may argue that these recent developments are not enough, they do represent progress for a company that has historically been criticized for a lack of representation and diversity. Additionally, the inclusion of LGBT+ characters in children’s media is especially important, as it can help to normalize diverse identities, increase understanding and acceptance, and provide children with representation and role models.
While Disney still has a ways to go in terms of representing the LGBTQ+ community in its films and TV shows, the introduction of Amity, Luz, and the Park family is a positive step forward. It shows that the company is moving in a direction of greater inclusivity and representation, and hopefully, it will inspire other media companies to follow suit.
Which Disney Princess is LGBTQ?
There is currently no official Disney Princess that has been identified as LGBTQ. However, in 2021, Disney released a new animated series titled “The Owl House,” which features a fourteen-year-old Dominican-American girl named Luz Noceda as the main character. Throughout the show’s first season, Luz is revealed to have a crush on a character named Amity Blight, who is a fellow witch with a complicated backstory. In the show’s second season, the two characters share a romantic dance, hinting at the possibility of a romantic relationship.
While Luz is not a Disney Princess, as she has not been featured in a Disney Princess line-up, she is a character that is officially part of the Disney universe. Her inclusion in the LGBTQ community has been warmly embraced by fans of the series, who have praised Disney for taking a big step towards LGBTQ representation in its animated content.
Aside from Luz, there have been unofficial claims that some of the classic Disney Princesses are members of the LGBTQ community. Ariel from “The Little Mermaid,” for example, has been interpreted by some fans as a bisexual mermaid who has a romantic interest in both Prince Eric and the female sea witch Ursula. Similarly, Princess Elsa from “Frozen” has been interpreted by fans as a lesbian or queer character, due to her reluctance to get married and her close and complex relationship with her sister Anna.
While there is currently no official Disney Princess that has been identified as LGBTQ, Disney’s continued inclusion of diverse characters like Luz in its animated content is a positive step towards representing a broader range of identities in their storytelling.
