Why Disney Animation is long overdue for an LGBTQ protagonist:
A Thread

First off, gay representation in children’s media isn’t a new concept. The earliest example of this dates back all the way to March 31, 1987. The CBS Schoolbreak Special, “What If I'm Gay?" was monumental as the very first open conversation in children’s media.

More recently, however, LGBTQ characters have been ingrained into more and more shows. Steven Universe, The Loud House, and Adventure Time all made history with the inclusion of gay characters within the main cast.

Even more historically, shows such as She-ra (2018), and Legend of Korra aired, in which the main protagonists are LGBTQ.

This, however, is where Disney falls short.

All of the shows mentioned above are from Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Dreamworks, and other Disney competitors. Disney has yet to produce an animated show in which the protagonist is gay.

The first gay Disney character is from the live-action show, “Andi Mack” back in 2018. This was historic for the company, as it was the first time they included a gay character in the main cast! But, looking around, nearly 2 years later, he’s still the only one.

In a few shows, Disney has featured side characters that were LGBTQ (Good Luck Charlie, Star vs the Forces of Evil, Doc McStuffins, etc.). Very rarely do you see these characters more than once.

Most recently, in Disney’s 2019 film, “Onward”, they included a gay character for the first time in animation. While a big step forward, many people found issue with it. For one, many didn’t like the idea that she was a literal monster. “They could’ve chosen a better movie”.

Disney is behind. This is a fact. Everyone around them is leading the way in LGBTQ representation within kid’s animated media, and they are being left in the dust.

It’s not enough for a show runner to say a character is LGBTQ. I’d like to introduce what is called “Show, Don’t Tell”. When it comes to kids, they might not know what it means to be gay. You must show it though the character’s actions.

Your child might not know what being gay means. But when they watch She-Ra on Netflix, they know that main characters, Catra and Adora, love each other. This is a prime example of “Show, Don’t Tell.”

Once again, this is where Disney falls short. There’s nothing wrong with labeling a character as LGBTQ. But that seems to be all they are doing. To catch up, Disney needs to show us LGBTQ people. Not just tell us about them.

To conclude: LGBTQ representation is no longer something you can just push under the rug, especially if you’re a company as big and influential as Disney is. Times are changing. It’s time Disney changed with it.

That’s why I’ve created this thread. Dear @DisneyTVA , you must include LGBTQ characters if you want to keep up with these changing times. It’s not 1981 anymore. Gay people are celebrated on Cartoon Network. On Netflix. On Nickelodeon. You’re next!

How Disney can keep up:

When a character is gay, a POC, disabled, etc., a child has the opportunity to see themselves in them. That’s why an LGBTQ main protagonist is exactly what Disney needs to catch up.

How you can help spread the messege:

Contact:
@DisneyTVA
@DisneyAnimation
@DisneyXD

Sign the petition (Remember not to donate any money!): http://chng.it/kLZfHNZt 

Thank you for reading this thread. Please RT and share it around as much as you can. This messege needs to be spread.