Twitter Users Respond to Disney’s ‘First’ Openly LGBTQ Character in Disney and Pixar’s ‘Onward’
For the first time ever, Disney and Pixar included an animated LGBTQ character in one of their movies. This is, of course, for Onward, the film starring Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, in which two brothers go on a quest to have one more day with their father. Here’s what fans are saying about Disney, Onward, and their first openly LGBTQ animated character.
Disney and Pixar’s ‘Onward’ shared there will be an openly LGBTQ animated character, voiced by Lena Waithe
Ian and Barley Lightfoot’s quest may take them to a few unexpected places. Along the way, they’ll meet Officer Specter, a purple, one-eyed police officer who pulls the boys over. According to Buzzfeed, Spector comes out pretty casually to them and the audience, with the line, “my girlfriend’s daughter got me pulling my hair out.”
This police officer is Disney and Pixar’s first openly LGBTQ animated character, voiced by Lena Waithe, formerly of Master of None and Ready Player One. However, this is not the first time the Walt Disney Company made steps toward being more inclusive with their movies.
Some Disney fans pointed out that there have been LGBTQ characters featured in other movies
Disney’s actual first openly LGBTQ character was LeFou in the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, portrayed by Josh Gad. Though the moment was brief, LeFou shared a dance with another character in the film, much to the anger of some cinemas in Alabama.
Then there’s Disney’s first openly LGBTQ character in Star Wars, one of the fighters in the resistance who shared a kiss with her partner in the final movie of the sequel trilogy, The Rise of Skywalker.
A few Disney television shows, especially those on Disney+, promote diversity and inclusivity. Some of the main characters from Disney the original series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, are openly LGBTQ. The streaming platform even shared a picture of them on their Instagram.
Fans were sure to point out other LGBTQ characters and commend Disney on social media
Once news broke of this Disney and Pixar milestone, some fans took to social media, sharing their excitement for the upcoming animated film. Others stated they wanted even more representation and their disapproval that this character is in Onward so briefly.
“I’m sure that Onward introducing Pixar’s first canon gay character is minimalized similar to TROS. I almost wish they just wouldn’t have an LGBT character at all if they’re not gonna write a real character,” one Twitter user said.
“Oh yeah, the Onward character is a cop, so. there’s that. At least she’s voiced by a gay actor? But these are the tiniest little molecules of table scraps we’re being fed here, folks,” another Twitter user mentioned.
Billy Eichner, the voice of Timon in Disney’s 2019 photo-real adaptation of The Lion King chimed in. The actor tweeted, “SO CAN TIMON COME OUT NOW PLEASE???”
According to Yahoo Entertainment, Disney has plans to introduce more LGBTQ characters this year. Marvel’s The Eternals will reportedly feature the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first same-sex couple, portrayed by Haaz Sleiman and Bryan Tyree Henry.
Disney and Pixar’s Onward premieres in theaters on March 6, 2020.
