Turning Point USA

Disney’s Pixar has decided to remove a storyline involving a transgender-identifying character from its original animated series Win or Lose, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter.

The series, which focuses on a co-ed middle school softball team preparing for a championship game, features episodes that explore the lives of various characters involved with the team, including players, parents, coaches, and umpires. One episode was expected to be about the life of a transgender character, however, lines referencing the character’s gender identity have been removed.

In a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, a Disney spokesperson explained the decision, saying, “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.” 

The voice actor tapped to play the character with the transgender story also identifies as transgender. After it was revealed that Disney had changed their decision, 18-year-old Chanel Stewart told Deadline that the change was disheartening. 

“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,” Stewart claimed.

The studio reportedly made the decision to cut the storyline several months ago. Some critics have linked the decision to political and market pressures, particularly in light of recent electoral results and the company’s underperformance at the box office with content featuring LGBTQ themes. 

In 2022, Pixar released Lightyear, which included a same-sex kiss, and Disney’s Strange World featured an openly gay lead character. Both films were significant box-office disappointments in the US and internationally. These outcomes have reportedly prompted Disney to reassess the inclusion of LGBTQ storylines, especially in content aimed at younger audiences.