Even though the show isn’t out yet, Disney has cut a storyline from its new animated series. The storyline in one episode of Pixar’s “Win or Lose” was set to center around the gender identity of a trans character.
Disney officials said the transgender character will still be in the show. However, Disney cut the story line revolving around the character’s gender.
“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,” Disney said in a statement released Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Chanel Stewart, who voiced the character in question, was “very disheartened” by the change, Deadline Hollywood reported.
“From the moment I got the script, I was excited to share my journey to help empower other trans youth,” Stewart said. “I knew this would be a very important conversation. Trans stories matter, and they deserve to be heard.”
This isn’t the first time Disney has pulled a trans storyline before it aired. Disney Channel’s animated series “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” made headlines recently after some who worked on the show took to social media saying Disney banned the release of an episode focused on a recurring transgender character.
Disney denied “banning” the episode. Officials said the decision to hold its release was not because of the transgender character inclusion.
Disney-Pixar’s “Win or Lose” centers around a co-ed middle school softball team in the run-up to its championship game. It premieres on Disney+ on Feb. 19.
Disney originally planned to air the show on Dec. 6 as Pixar’s first-ever animated series. However, the company ended up swapping dates with Pixar’s other new series, “Dream Productions.” That story is based on the character of Riley from “Inside Out.”
