Relaxing in bed and watching a marathon of Disney films is what I consider the perfect afternoon. The lighthearted jokes, the small but meaningful hidden messages, and the constant happy endings behind every film never get old.
Lockdown gave me the free time to spend my afternoons doing what I do best. However, indulging in Disney film after Disney film led me to question just how inclusive they truly are.
A recurring theme, seen especially in the Disney Princess franchise, is that all the couples are heterosexual.
Leading companies, especially Disney, should be at the forefront of supporting and promoting inclusivity in the film industry. With the power they hold and the influence they’re capable of having, there’s no excuse. The lack of representation of homosexual and transgender couples in their films is disappointing.
Many things I grew up with have become outdated, but Disney isn’t one of them. There’s no doubt the generations of children behind me will continue to watch these beloved films and television shows. Although I was lucky enough to feel represented by what I saw, there are so many who don’t. What we see on our screens builds our perception of ‘normal’ – despite there being no true definition of the word. Time and time again we see heterosexual couples and while Disney continue to display this type of relationship to us, it’ll continue to be perpetuated as the norm. We need change.
In 2019, Disney Channel’s Andi Mack was considered groundbreaking for including the first character to say the words “I’m gay”.
Although this was a step in the right direction, there’s so much more that can – and must – be done. A homosexual Disney princess would be the role model for so many young girls if the company took the step to break the outdated and unrepresentative mold we’re confined to. If they were to do this, they would undoubtedly lead by example and others would follow suit.
With children dominating their audience, Disney has a responsibility to not only represent everyone watching, but encourage the acceptance of all sexualities and identities as their audience grows up. It’s time for them to be inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community.
Edited by Katie Wheatley