Disney first gay kiss

Disney’s major reputation and cultural impact have the power to shape viewers’ perceptions and awareness. Priya, for example, dances with another girl at a party, and the interaction has romantic connotations. Throughout the film, people see Alisha build a life, get married to a woman called Kiki, and form a family and a career.

A vastly wider landscape of queer media is forming amid popular streaming shows such as Sex Education, Heartstopper and Euphoria – and Lightyear might signal that Disney is (slowly) joining in.

In the last few years, Disney has featured its first lesbian kiss, its first gay protagonist, and a couple of amazing queer personalities. When the movie ends, Ethan and his father manage to save their planet Avalonia and their family bonds. However, it was later restored following the recent “Don’t Say Gay” ordeal that brought the company into the headlines.

Disney and ‘Don’t Say Gay’

In March 2022, the Florida Senate passed the Don’t Say Gay bill, which forbids schools from discussing and promoting topics surrounding sexual orientation and gender identity.

The three girls love the boy band 4*TOWN more than anything, and their biggest dream is to go to their concert. Given its huge cultural reputation in the state, fans and employees were left frustrated by Disney’s lack of response to, or condemnation of, the bill.

Following a staff walk-out and major social media reaction, Disney changed its tune, halting all political donations to Republican and Democratic parties and giving a pledge to donate $5 million (£4.1 million) to LGBTQ+ charities and organisations.

Slowly and steadily, however, queer characters like Specter have become more prominent in the mainstream media. If there are two males, one dominates. With an audience primarily consisting of children and families, seeing a same-sex kiss between two characters could be very important for self-identification, and could contribute towards wider LGBTQ+ acceptance.

While Disney wasn't on board with portraying Alisha and Kiki's kiss, Pixar insisted.

15 Scar's Queerness Makes Him a Member of Disney's Gender-Queer Villains

Scar Is Voiced by Jeremy Irons in 1994's The Lion King

Scar from The Lion King (1994) is clearly a queer-coded character, writes Monique Jones in the "Just Add Color" blog.

Criticism of Lightyear and its same-sex kiss will inevitably ensue, so it is important that Disney stands its ground by staying true to LGBTQ+ values. In the lead-up to its release, online speculation soared after it was confirmed that Lightyear would include the company’s first same-sex kiss. The company’s CEO, Bob Chapek, also stated in an internal memo that the “biggest impact” the company could make “in creating a more inclusive world is through the inspiring content we produce”.

Responding to this, a letter attributed to “the LGBTQIA+ employees of Pixar and their allies”, published by Variety, suggested that “nearly every moment of overtly gay affection is cut at Disney’s behest, regardless of when there is protest from both the creative teams and executive leadership”.

Disney did not comment directly on the letter but in another internal memo, Chapek responded by saying: “You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights and I let you down.

It’s the origin story of one of their most beloved characters – Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear. The moment is also beautiful, portraying a lesbian couple with their little son. Hahn notes that, in lion prides, there typically is only one male because he's killed off the previous king and any rivals, including cubs. In fact, many fans believe Miriam is in love with Mei, as she shows great appreciation for her best friend.

And after the highly anticipated Toy Story 4 was released, online communities highlighted a small glimpse of a lesbian couple dropping off their child at daycare.

Yet despite small inclusive moments such as these, LGBTQ+ communities and fans have often been left disappointed with the final product. It’s the origin story of one of their most beloved characters – Toy Story’s Buzz Lightyear.