Letter denounces Disney for censoring LGBTQIA+ characters

Pixar employees published a letter in Variety magazine on Wednesday (9) denouncing censorship of sexual diversity in the company's products. In this open letter, the group says that Disney executives ordered the censorship of moments of affection between LGBT+ characters in the production company's pieces.

“At Pixar, we have personally seen beautiful, diverse stories come back from Disney’s corporate assessments reduced to the crumbs of what they once were. Even if creating LGBTQIA+ content were the solution to correcting discriminatory laws around the world, we are being prevented from doing so.” Says an excerpt from the letter.

Every year, Disney holds events to celebrate LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in its parks and sells products that appropriate the LGBT+ movement's flag, but in its productions, characters who do not follow gender and sexuality standards tend to receive little attention. This was the case with the film “Onward”, with the character of the police officer Specter, a cyclops, who during a short dialogue comes out as LGBT+ and has a small role in the film.

_{Poster for the movie Onward. (Photo: Reproduction/Disney)}

The “Don’t Say Gay Bill,” approved by the Florida Senate, a US state and home to Disney World, on Tuesday, March 8, prohibits discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity in schools and instructs teachers to report students to their parents who express LGBT+ behavior. The bill already has the support of the governor of Florida and, if approved, will come into effect on July 1. Critics say the measure will marginalize children and adolescents who identify as LGBTQIA+ and will punish teachers who do not comply with the decision.

The situation worsened when it was discovered that Disney has a list of politicians who receive donations and support the bill. The letter signed by Pixar employees demands that this type of financial support be cut.

The letter further states: “This is not an issue that can wait until Reimagine Tomorrow in April, or Pride Month in June. This issue needs to be discussed now. It is urgent. In 2021, 42% of LGBTQIA+ youth seriously considered suicide, including more than half of trans and non-binary youth, largely due to the lack of support afforded by discriminatory laws like this.“.

Disney has yet to comment on the allegations made by Pixar employees.

Featured Photo: Disney LGBTQIA+ promotional poster. Reproduction/Disney