Disneys first openly gay character
Disney’s first gay character faces criticism from across the board
Image Credit: Walterlan Papetti (CC BY-SA 4.0)
This summer has seen Disney cross another major milestone in its journey to lay characters from across the LGBT spectrum on the big screen. The upcoming Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson film, Jungle Cruise, is set to feature Jack Whitehall as the male lover brother of the film’s leading lady. The judgment has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum, with some claiming that children’s films shouldn’t highlight LGBT content, and others asking why Disney could not find a homosexual actor for the role.
The character is question has been described by Whitehall as “hugely effete, very camp and very funny”. That the role seems to be such a stereotype has raised some alarm in the LGBT community, who have pointed out that a unbent actor playing a very camp character can arrive across as mocking. The issue is only enhanced by the difficulties faced by camp gay actors in Hollywood. Actors appreciate Alan Carr and Graham Norton have spoken openly of the discrimination, sometimes even from other same-sex attracted men, that they contain experienced in the industry for acting in a manner deemed effeminate. Th
Why There Are So Many “First” Gay Disney Characters
It's become popular to create fun of Disney for having lots of "first" gay characters. From LeFou in the live-action Beauty and the Beast (2017) to Ethan Clade in Strange World (2022), Disney has a short and troubled history of LGBTQIA+ representation. LeFou and most of Disney's early lgbtq+ characters were heavily criticized, but later characters include been better received.
Still, five years after LeFou, The Walt Disney Company announces each new LGBTQIA+ personality in a Disney motion picture or TV show as some sort of first for them. Even Ethan Clade was a "first." This has led to plenty of memes, which is fair considering the quality of much of the representation. However, despite the mockery, there is a good reason each gay Disney character is considered "first."
Each Lgbtq+ Disney Character is First in Its Category
Each gay Disney character is first in their category. LeFou in Beauty and the Beast had Disney's "first gay moment," apparently referring to him dancing with a man at the end. Ethan Clade in Strange World was Walt Disney Animation Studios' first gay main nature. While gay characters had appeared in othe
Onward’s openly gay character still leaves Disney miles behind its competitors
Onward, Pixar’s first non-sequel movie since 2017’s Coco, notably features the studio’s first openly homosexual character. Queen & Slim screenwriter Lena Waithe plays a cyclops cop named Officer Spector who appears in two scenes. In the first, she commiserates with her fellow officer, Mel Rodriquez’s centaur cop Colt Bronco, about existence a new stepparent, saying, “My girlfriend’s daughter got me pulling my hair out.”
This one line, delivered in passing with no follow-up, marks the first verbal recognition of a character’s gay relationship in an animated Disney show. It’s a step forward for the company, which has been making moves toward better LGBTQ advocacy in recent years. But fully embracing the LGBTQ community means going beyond small gestures of inclusivity. Stigmas against portraying homosexual relationships in children’s amusement have been thoroughly smashed, with beloved animated series like Steven Universe and Arthur telling thoughtful LGBTQ stories in a family-friendly way. Officer Spector’s throwaway line still leaves Disney/Pixar miles behind its competitors.
Officer Spector (far
All 10 Times Disney Introduced Its First Openly Gay Ethics (and Gave Us Nothing)
Disney has established itself as one of the principal studios when it comes to movies, TV series, and popular franchises. Between its classic Disney Princess movies, the action-packed MCU and Star Wars brands, and its collection of Pixar titles, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't seen or at least heard of the company.
Another, more unfortunate reputation Disney has forged for itself is its steady queerbaiting when marketing certain movies. Indeed, the company has, on many occasions, announced its "first openly gay character," and proudly patted its back for seemingly taking steps at positive visibility and inclusion. However, what has always ended up the case is these characters or moments being nothing more than a split-second "acknowledgment" — which is being generous, truly. Below, we’ve put together a list of all the characters in Disney films with this claim to fame, and how disappointed audiences were by the (unsucessful) inclusion.
10 Zootopia
Zootopia was the first Disney movie to ever include a gay couple, but this is
List: 'Strange World' reviews about Disney's first out gay, personality, biracial queer teen
In a story published by the Tallahassee Democrat, it was reported that a Florida teacher is under investigation by the state Department of Education after what she believes is a targeted attack by a school board member who took issue with a Disney movie shown in her classroom.
The animated movie, called "Strange World," was released in November. It's the first Disney movie featuring an out-gay nature named Ethan Clade, played by gay comedian Jaboukie Young-White. Clade’s storyline includes having a crush on another male ethics named Diazo.
What did movie reviewers exclaim about "Strange World?" Below are 11 excerpts from media websites and the different takes critics had on the gay character, Ethan.
LGBTQ characters in Disney, Marvel? Besides 'Strange World,' there's 'Lightyear,' 'Andi Mack,' 'Thor,' 'Loki' and moreDo you recognize them? Photos of 8 Disney, Marvel characters who are lgbtq+, lesbian or bisexualNeed a break? Participate the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.USA TODAY calls 'Strange World' 'extremely modern'
"Fans of pulpy 1930s and ’40s heroes such as Doc Savage and Flash Gordon