Disney Pixar’s latest film, Onward, has garnered attention for its inclusion of an LGBTQIA+ character. The talented and openly queer actress, Mia Chen, lends her voice to a lesbian police officer in the film. Director Tom Roberts confirmed that Chen’s character is indeed gay, stating, “We aim to reflect the modern world in our storytelling.” However, aside from this acknowledgment, Pixar’s silence speaks volumes.
While it’s commendable that Disney is showcasing a gay character and casting a queer individual for the role, we must hold them to a higher standard. It’s time for Disney to step up its game in authentic LGBTQIA+ representation, and as audiences, we should be advocating for this change.
Pixar’s decision to remain quiet on the details of their LGBTQIA+ character feels like a calculated move—one that allows them to enjoy the benefits of having a queer figure while avoiding backlash. They anticipated both praise and criticism, and by saying little, they’ve created a narrative that suggests, “Of course, we included a gay character. It’s just part of the story.” But therein lies the problem: it feels like false advertising.
Disney understands the urgency for diverse representation, having made strides in racial diversity. Yet, the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ characters has been disappointingly slow. We were excited when Finding Dory hinted at a two-mom family and when rumors circulated about a same-sex couple in Toy Story 4. While Disney does a commendable job of depicting these characters as everyday people, it falls short of integrating them into the larger narrative, which ultimately diminishes their visibility.
Yes, glimpses of queerness in films like Onward are positive steps towards acceptance, but they still convey a message that LGBTQIA+ individuals can only occupy peripheral roles. Mia Chen’s character, for instance, makes a brief appearance, delivering the line, “My girlfriend’s daughter is driving me crazy,” in response to a male driver’s comment about his girlfriend’s children. This moment is relatable yet safe—and easily overlooked, lacking the depth needed for true representation.
Children are constantly exposed to heterosexual relationships, whether through romantic connections or family dynamics. In contrast, queer characters remain largely absent or relegated to minor roles. As a result, children who may benefit from seeing themselves represented may misinterpret these fleeting moments. To a young audience, Chen’s character could simply be seen as a friend, not as a representation of queerness.
Considering Disney’s immense financial resources—they reported a net income of $10.44 billion in 2019—it raises the question: why are we merely settling for scraps of representation? The LGBTQIA+ community possesses significant buying power, and it’s time to demand more than token appearances. We cannot allow ourselves to become complacent with minimal representation.
While it’s fantastic that there’s an openly queer character for audiences to see, the reality is that we need to expand beyond these small roles. All kids should know their lives are valid and worthy of being portrayed fully on screen. The queer community deserves to see its narratives represented in a way that reflects the depth and richness of real life.
Progress may be gradual, but we must work together to push for a queer character in every film. We need richer stories that represent LGBTQIA+ individuals as more than just side notes. The bar should be raised, and we should expect nothing less than full, genuine representation.
For more on LGBTQIA+ inclusion, you can check out our post on homeinsemination.gay. It’s worth exploring resources about family planning too, such as Healthline’s guide on pregnancy and Make A Mom’s fertility boosters.
In summary, while we applaud Disney for including LGBTQIA+ characters, we must advocate for deeper, more meaningful representation. The community deserves to be portrayed in all its complexity, and it’s time for Disney to rise to the occasion.
Keyphrase: Disney LGBTQIA+ representation
Tags: [“home insemination kit” “home insemination syringe” “self insemination”]