Former Pixar Employee Claims Deleted ‘Win or Lose’ Transgender Episode Could Have Been Life-Saving: “Disney has decided to spend money to not save lives”

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As a longtime advocate for representation and understanding in media, I find Disney’s decision to remove the transgender storyline from ‘Win or Lose’ disheartening. Having witnessed firsthand the impact of such representations on individuals who feel marginalized and misunderstood, I cannot help but feel frustrated at the potential lives that could have been saved through this beautiful and powerful portrayal.

On February 19, 2025, Pixar’s animated series titled “Win or Lose” will premiere on Disney+. This show follows the journey of the Pickles, a middle school softball team, as they approach their championship game. Each episode offers a peek into the individual experiences of different team members through distinct animation styles.

Developed by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, this eight-part production delves into topics such as love, competition, and life’s hurdles. Notable voices in the cast include Will Forte and Ian Chen.

Initially, the plan for the show included a narrative centered around transgender experiences. However, it appears that this particular segment was cut out prior to its public premiere.

A Disney spokesperson confirmed the story arc was removed and shared a statement:

In the realm of animation aimed at young viewers, we understand that numerous parents might find it more comfortable to address specific topics according to their own pace and convenience, as opposed to having these discussions initiated through the content itself.

The character will continue in the series, but any dialogue concerning gender identity has been eliminated. This decision was made some time ago. However, THR contacted several ex-Pixar employees who have expressed discontent that Disney opted to remove the storyline, as it had already been completed and was originally included in the show.

One anonymous former Pixar employee praised the deleted episode for its beauty and its powerful depiction of transgender experiences. They believed it could have saved lives by offering hope and showing understanding to those feeling alone or unloved.

The worker voiced disappointment over Disney’s choice to invest in eliminating the episode, finding it particularly irksome given that this scene developed from initial footage depicting the character grappling with choosing a restroom.

In its completed state, the episode was incredibly touching – and poignantly depicted the journey of being trans – and it had the potential to truly make a difference by reassuring those feeling isolated and unwanted, that there are individuals who empathize with them.

So it’s just very frustrating that Disney has decided to spend money to not save lives

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Previously, Disney has encountered criticism regarding LGBTQ+ themes in their animated productions. For instance, the portrayal of a same-sex relationship in ‘Lightyear’ ignited debate and ultimately led to its underperformance at the box office. Likewise, it is said that animators were asked to tone down ‘Inside Out 2’ to make it less focused on LGBTQ+ issues following the backlash towards the same-sex kiss in ‘Lightyear’.

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2024-12-28 12:13