In an effort to create more content for younger audiences, Disney has removed a transgender storyline from a Pixar series “Win Or Lose” that’s set to debut in February on Disney+. The eight-episode animated show follows a middle school co-ed softball team preparing for a big match.
“When it comes to animated content for a younger audience,” a Disney spokesperson said. “We recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”
Although the series will still include a transgender character, it will not feature the character’s gender identity. Disney added that the change will only affect “just a few lines of dialogue” towards the end of the season.
Since the news broke, 18-year-old actress Chanel Stewart who voiced the transgender character, says she was “disheartened” by the news after finding out about the announcement.
“I was very disheartened,” Stewart told Deadline. “From the moment I got the script, I was excited to share my journey to help empower other trans youth. I knew this would be a very important conversation. Trans stories matter, and they deserve to be heard.”
This is not the first time Disney has found themselves in a heated cultural incident. In 2022, the company was hit with backlash over its response to Florida’s controversial Parental Rights in Education law, which prohibits LGBTQ discussions in schools. Disney was initially criticized for its silence on the law and also faced scrutiny for publicly opposing it. The company was also criticized for the LGBTQ material in animated films like “Lightyear” and “Strange World.”
