Disney has confirmed the removal of a transgender storyline from its upcoming Pixar series, Win or Lose, continuing a trend of banning LGBTQ+ content in its productions.
The animated show, which is set to premiere in February on Disney+, follows a co-ed middle school softball team and focuses on a different team member in each episode leading up to a big championship game.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed that an episode centered on a transgender character has been cut. A Disney spokesperson explained the decision, stating, “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.”
Despite the removal of the episode, the character will still appear in the series, though with minimal dialogue and no references to their gender identity.
The company’s actions are reminiscent of previous controversies following the passage of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill in 2022. Then-CEO Bob Chapek publicly stated the company’s commitment to “creating a more inclusive world… through the inspiring content we produce.” However, his comments were met with backlash from Pixar employees, who wrote an open letter accusing Disney of pressuring them to remove LGBTQ+ content from their stories.
