What is your opinion on Disney's representation of the LGBTs?

Far too much stereotyping. There's more than just the bitchy effeminate drama club gay boys (who are usually white) in the community - to clarify I am labeling a stereotype not actual people. They need to expand and stop trying to make the characters so obviously gay they're practically a caricature, instead be actually subtle and have people who look like people (funny that) and then just little things... maybe a girl talking about exes and there's guys and girls alike mentioned, or casual pronoun correction "Oh, I actually use they/them pronouns"
little things that are just our everyday. would be nice.

 

I can't really say, as the only Disney Channel shows I watch nowadays are Raven's Home and Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure, neither of which deal with LGBT themes, or have LGBT characters.

 

I watch every now and then, but rarely. The only show that has a gay character as far as I'm aware is Andi Mack and from the episodes I've seen it's actually a fairly good representation for a middle schooler. I'm not really sure what show or movie TaniwhaLex was referring to, but really no Disney Channel stuff involves those stereotypes.

Disney's real issue is that it treats Disney Channel as kid-focused and family-focused and while it's branching out in terms of what defines a family, it's slow to making headway with LGBT representation.

 

Not just Disney Channel. They have that issue with their films as well. So far we have LeFou in Beauty and the Beast, but nothing else so far.

 

Very true, I actually forgot about LeFou, which is surprising since I love Beauty and the Beast. There's very minor representation in Zootopia as well. Judy's neighbors are a gay couple (proven in the credits) and Clawhauser (spelling?) is very effeminate.

I would love for their to be more representation in Disney films, but I want it to be natural. For example, I don't fully support Elsa getting a girlfriend for the simple fact of I feel that Elsa's story focuses on her being an independent woman and queen and sisterly love. If Frozen 2 does it, I feel it will just feel a little forced.

And to be fair on Disney's part. LGBT-focused film representation in general is happening slowly. We're getting films but not fast. And it's sadly a questionable move on many studios. Love, Simon took a risk and it soared, BUT I'll be the first to admit that it may have gotten that way because some advertising and interviews focused more on "everyone can relate" instead of focusing on the whole "it's a beautiful gay love story."

Disney will come around...it's just going to take some time. It will be a risky move for Disney to make a major animated film with a gay lead.

 

I agree. They're one of my favorite film studios, so it would be nice to see more representation. I also kind of find it interesting how some characters over the years could be ambiguous and open to interpretation. I wouldn't be surprised if people though Timon and Pumba from Lion King were a couple, as well as various other disney/Pixar characters. I do understand though that it will take time for more accurate representation.

I also agree with you on your views of Elsa. I think she rocks as an independent queen and doesn't need a love interest of any gender. It's just as important to show people that you can be self-reliant and you don't need anyone to solve your problems.

 

Many people think Li Shang (from Mulan) is bi. He won't be in the live action movie; they're putting a 1000% straight man who bullies her until he finds out she's a girl.

 

There was a movie a while back called lemonade mouth. Every member of the band ended up with someone except for Stella. Stella struck me as gay at the beginning of the movie. But since the actress was Haley Kiyoko I'm not sure if I was thinking she was gay or Stella.

 

So far Cyrus on Andi Mack has been pretty good representation, though I wonder if Disney will actually have the guts to give him a boyfriend.

As far as movies go, Lefou in the (unnecessary) Beauty and the Beast remake was nothing more than cringeworthy stereotypes. Technically Hugo the gargoyle from The Hunchback of Notre Dame is gay since he was clearly attracted to Esmeralda's (male) goat. Though since the gargoyles were the worst part in an otherwise AMAZING movie, it's understandable that people don't remember this.