Disney Removes Transgender Storyline From Pixar’s Win Or Lose Series; Deets

As a lifestyle expert with a deep understanding of media and representation, I find myself disheartened by Disney’s recent decision to remove a transgender storyline from their upcoming TV series, Win or Lose. My personal journey has taught me the importance of seeing oneself reflected on screen, and I believe that stories like these are crucial in fostering empathy and understanding among all viewers.

In simpler terms, the original plan for Pixar’s upcoming TV series, Win or Lose, which is set to air in 2025, included a storyline about a transgender character. However, during production, Disney decided to omit dialogue that explicitly addressed the character’s gender identity. Although the character still appears in the show, the part of the plot dealing with their gender identity has been taken out.

In a statement, a representative from Disney clarified their choice by stating, “For our animated content aimed at young viewers, we understand that parents often want to approach certain topics according to their own pace and convenience.

Reports suggest that the decision to exclude the transgender plotline from the series was made several months ago. As per The Hollywood Reporter, this edit included tweaking dialogue in the latter episodes of the eight-part series. The character, voiced by Chanel Stewart, a 18-year-old actress who is transgender, was part of the original script.

During an interview with Deadline Hollywood, Stewart expressed dismay over the outcome of their decision. “Ever since I received the script, I’ve been eager to tell my story in order to inspire other transgender youth. I recognized that this would spark a crucial dialogue. Transgender narratives are significant and they merit being told,” Stewart explained.

The series spotlights the daily lives of a mixed-gender middle school softball squad, known as the Pickles, in their quest for the title game. Every episode delves into the viewpoint of various individuals – team members, parents, and trainers.

On previous occasions, Disney has faced criticism regarding their portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters within their content. More recently, there have been reports that they pulled an episode from Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, which showcased a transgender student participating in school sports.

In my expertise, I’d like to share an intriguing perspective on a particular episode, powerfully voiced by the talented Indya Moore, who identifies as transgender and non-binary. This episode garnered attention due to its connection with political discourse following the re-election of Donald Trump, a topic that understandably sparked significant discussions within our community.

According to reports, Derrick Malik Johnson, the storyboard artist who worked on the episode, expressed disappointment in a since-removed social media message. He lamented that an influential and outstanding episode he contributed to might now be regarded as a missing or lost piece of media, writing, “It’s heartbreaking to think this powerful and exceptional [episode] is about to be deemed as a forgotten media artifact.

Last year in 2022, as an ardent follower of Pixar, I found myself deeply concerned about the corporate revisions being made by Disney. A collective letter penned by Pixar’s LGBTQIA+ employees and their allies expressed their discontent, highlighting that almost every instance of overtly gay affection is removed at Disney’s insistence, despite strong objections from both our creative teams and executive leadership at Pixar.

The dispute emerged when Disney addressed Florida’s bill prohibiting classroom discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity, known as the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill. At that time, Bob Chapek, who was then Disney’s CEO, apologized to employees within the LGBTQ+ community and pledged to enhance support within the company. Consequently, a same-sex kiss scene found its way back into Pixar’s 2022 film, Lightyear.

2025 marks the debut on Disney+ for the show titled “Win or Lose,” which was co-created and co-directed by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates. In this production, Will Forte lends his voice to the coach’s role. The series is set to offer a fresh take on various viewpoints by delving into the characters’ lives outside of their playing field.

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2024-12-18 09:52