Disney and Pixar are once again in the spotlight, and not for the reasons they’d like. Former Pixar employees have spoken out about the removal of a trans-centered episode from the upcoming Disney+ series Win or Lose, shedding light on the broader rollback of LGBTQ+ representation across Disney projects, including Inside Out 2 and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. These decisions have sparked a heated conversation about the role of identity-driven narratives in family entertainment.
The Win or Lose Controversy
Pixar’s Win or Lose is an anthology-style animated series following a co-ed middle school softball team, with each episode told from a different character’s perspective. One of those episodes was supposed to focus on a trans character named Kai, voiced by Chanel Stewart. The storyline reportedly explored Kai’s experiences with dysphoria and her journey to find support from her teammates.
However, this episode never made it to the final cut. Disney confirmed its removal, citing parental concerns about handling topics like gender identity. According to a Disney spokesperson, “Many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”
The character will now reportedly identify as cisgender.
The decision reportedly devastated Pixar’s creative team. Former Pixar assistant editor Sarah Ligatich, who is trans, reflected, “It hardly surprised me, but it devastated me. For a long time, Disney has not been in the business of making great content. They have been in the business of making great profits.”
Another anonymous former Pixar employee described the scrapped episode as “so beautiful—and beautifully illustrated some of the experiences of being trans—it was literally going to save lives by showing those who feel alone and unloved that there are people out there who understand.”
“I can’t tell you how much I cried yesterday thinking about that conversation that [executive producer] David had to have with [Chanel Stewart],” Ligatich said. “Not only are you asking someone to play someone they’re not, but to also get them to wrap their mind around a political conversation that is just so beyond them. They had this story in the can for two years, so they could have released it in a Biden presidency, and they chose not to.”
Inside Out 2: “Less Gay”
Inside Out 2, another highly anticipated Pixar project, also reportedly faced changes aimed at reducing LGBTQ+ themes. The sequel introduces a new character, Val Ortiz, a skater girl who becomes close to Riley, the protagonist. According to reports, early versions of the film hinted at romantic chemistry between Riley and Val.
However, former Pixar employees claim Disney executives gave extensive notes to ensure the relationship appeared strictly platonic. Changes reportedly included altering dialogue, lighting, and tone to downplay any potential LGBTQ+ subtext.
Insiders tied these changes to the underperformance of Lightyear, which included a same-sex kiss and faced criticism from conservative audiences.
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: A Whole Episode Shelved
The backlash doesn’t stop with Pixar. Over at Marvel, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur saw an entire episode cut from its second season. The episode, titled “The Gatekeeper,” centered on Brooklyn, an openly transgender character.
Artists who worked on the show claimed the episode was completed but shelved amid concerns about the political climate following the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Despite never airing, the episode gained recognition within the LGBTQ+ community, winning a Velma Award from The Rainbow Project for its representation of transgender youth.
Why the Shift?
Disney’s decisions seem to reflect a strategic pivot away from overt LGBTQ+ themes in family programming. While the company hasn’t explicitly stated this, industry analysts point to several factors:
- Political Pressures: Disney’s ongoing feud with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis over LGBTQ+ issues in education and corporate governance has put the company under a conservative microscope.
- Box Office Lessons: The mixed reception to Lightyear, which included LGBTQ+ representation, may have influenced Disney’s reluctance to take risks with similar storylines.
- Audience Concerns: Disney appears to be recalibrating its content to appeal to broader, more traditional audiences, particularly in middle America.
Should These Stories Be in Kids’ Programming?
Here’s the thing—Disney’s first priority should be entertaining kids, not advancing social or political agendas. Stories about gender identity, while important to some people, might not belong in programming aimed at young audiences who aren’t equipped to fully understand these themes.
Kids’ shows thrive when they focus on universal experiences: friendship, family, and overcoming challenges. Do stories about identity and self-discovery have a place in media? Absolutely—but maybe they’re better suited for platforms like Hulu or FX, where the audience is older and ready for those discussions.
That’s not to say representation shouldn’t exist, but it needs to feel organic, not like a checklist item. If Disney wants to win back trust from both progressive and conservative audiences, they’d do well to focus on what made them great in the first place: timeless, heartfelt stories that resonate with everyone.
Final Thoughts
The removal of LGBTQ+ themes from Win or Lose, Inside Out 2, and Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur isn’t just a behind-the-scenes drama—it’s a flashpoint in the larger cultural debate about the role of media in shaping societal values.
As Disney navigates this tricky terrain, the real question is: Can the company strike a balance between representation and relatability? Or will efforts to please everyone end up alienating everyone instead? Only time—and audience reactions—will tell.
(Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Them, Polygon, Wikipedia)
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