Disney confirmed this week its decision to remove a storyline related to gender identity from its upcoming animated series, "Win or Lose." Slated for release on Disney+ later this February, the series, which revolves around a middle school softball team, still features a character voiced by transgender actress Chanel Stewart. Nevertheless, dialogue referencing the character's gender identity has been cut.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Disney explained this choice was influenced by the desire to recognize how many parents prefer to discuss sensitive subjects with their children on their own terms. A Disney spokesperson stated, “When itcomes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognizethat many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.”
This edit signifies the mounting challenges Disney faces when it pertains to depicting LGBTQ characters and narratives, especially as it straddles the line between inclusivity and potential backlash from audiences. According to CNN, "Win or Lose" centers around the co-ed middle school softball team, nicknamed “The Pickles,” with each episode focusing on different team members. While the transgender character will remain part of the show, the omission of specific references to gender identity has drawn criticism from viewers, including Stewart herself.
Stewart, the 18-year-old actress, expressed her dismay over the decision, stating, "I was very disheartened. From the moment I got the script, I was excited to share myjourney to help empower other trans youth. I knew thiswould be a very important conversation. Trans stories matter, and they deserve to be heard."
Chanel's mother, Keisha Stewart, echoed her daughter’s sentiments, pointing out the gravity of erasing gender identity from the narrative. "It was upsetting because my daughter is transgender and this is her life. I felt like it was very importantthat we not hidethat fact,” Keisha remarked. She emphasized how this change misses the opportunity for significant representation, stating, “Everyone deserves to be recognized. And it felt like it was just another setback for the LGBTQ community.”
The dialogue cuts, described by NBC News as only “a few lines” near the season's finale, have sparked debates about representation and the importance of eleviating the voices and stories of marginalized groups, especially transgender youth. "Win or Lose" was co-created by Carrie Hobson and Michael Yates, both of whom have had significant roles on prior Pixar projects, including "Toy Story 4" and the upcoming "Inside Out 2."
Over the last few years, Disney's handling of LGBTQ narratives has drawn substantial scrutiny. Following incidents such as the near removal of same-sex kiss from Pixar's "Lightyear," the company has aimed to present itself as committed to diversity and inclusion, yet seems cautious about fully embracing these tenets within children's programming. CEO Bob Iger previously articulated on CNBC the company's intent to navigate this complex terrain, stating, "The bottom line isthat infusing messaging as asort of number one priorityin our films and TV shows is not what we’re up to. They need to be entertaining."
He has also addressed the concept of “wokeness” and its interpretation, remarking, “The term ‘woke’ is thrown around rather liberally. I think alot of people don’t even understand really what it means.” These reflections demonstrate Disney's desire to maintain entertaining content, even as it grapples with how to handle social issues within its family-focused productions.
Despite the changes made to "Win or Lose," Stewart maintains her pride for being part of such groundbreaking work. The show will remain significant as it will mark one of the few instances of transgender representation in animated series, with Stewart stating, “I’m definitely one of the first (transgender girls) to do this. It’s a true honor to be a part of queer history.”
"Win or Lose" will debut on Disney+ on February 19, 2024, during the growing discussion around LGBTQ representation and identity. This series will face challenges on how its approach reflects the broader social discourse surrounding inclusivity and representation, particularly at Disney.
