Disney has pulled a transgender storyline from the Pixar original animated series Win or Lose, citing the needs of parents.
The series follows the Pickles, a co-ed middle school softball team, throughout the week as they prepare for their upcoming championship game. Each of the eight episodes focuses on a different character and their life off the field, including "the insecure kids, their helicopter parents" and "even a lovesick umpire." It is set to premiere on Disney+ on February 19, 2025.
According to Deadline, Disney has cut "a few lines of dialogue" from an episode that references a character's gender identity.
A spokesperson for Disney confirmed that the story arc was removed and provided the following statement to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter: "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."
Newsweek emailed a spokesperson for Disney for further comment on Wednesday outside of normal business hours.
This is Pixar Animation Studios' first-ever original long-form animated series.
This is not the first time the corporation has faced criticism over LGBTQ+ topics and issues. In recent years, several conservative figures have accused Disney of "going woke," after the studio began diversifying its characters and storylines. However, others have accused the entertainment behemoth of not doing enough to support the LGBTQ+ community.
In 2022, former Disney CEO Bob Chapek faced criticism for initially refusing to publicly condemn Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill, which aimed to prohibit the discussion of the LGBTQ+ community and "sexual orientation or gender identity" in the state's public schools from kindergarten to third grade.
It was eventually discovered that the company had donated at least $250,000 to senators who voted for the bill. The company later shifted its stance and announced that it would be pausing all political donations in Florida. Chapek also apologized, stating he should have been "a stronger ally."
"I truly believe we are an infinitely better and stronger company because of our LGBTQ+ community. I missed the mark in this case but am an ally you can count on—and I will be an outspoken champion for the protections, visibility, and opportunity you deserve," Chapek said in a statement.
A settlement was eventually reached in March of this year that rolled back part of Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill. Under the terms of the settlement, students and teachers can freely discuss sexual orientation and gender identity in Florida classrooms as long as the topics are not part of instruction, according to a statement previously sent to Newsweek via email by Kaplan's office.
The diversification of Disney's content has received mixed responses from viewers. Many have praised the company's efforts, while others have scorned the move.
In August 2022, Pixar released the animated film Lightyear, a spin-off from the Toy Story film series that acts as an origin story for Buzz Lightyear as he tries to find his way back home.
It generated conversation after it included a storyline featuring a same-sex kiss. While many supported the inclusion, including its cast, it was banned in a number of territories and was mocked by conservatives who suggested if you "go woke" you'll "go broke."
The studio also debuted its first non-binary character in the Pixar animation Elemental, released in July 2023, with the live-action remakes of The Little Mermaid and Snow White featuring actors of color as leads and more feminist narratives.
An exclusive poll for Newsweek conducted by Redfield and Wilton Strategies in July found that 34 percent of viewers disapproved of Disney's attempt to add more LGBTQ+ topics to its content. Surveying 1,500 eligible U.S. voters, they also discovered that 36 percent either disapproved or strongly disapproved of transgender characters.
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