Pixar has restored the studio’s first onscreen same-sex kiss in the upcoming Lightyear, according to Variety. The Toy Story spin-off is due to hit theaters on June 17.
Variety has confirmed that Lightyear features a “significant female character, Hawthorne, who is in a meaningful relationship with another woman.” Reportedly, the relationship was never in contention for censorship, but the kiss was heavily debated internally–and until this report had been removed.
However, as Disney has faced increasing pushback, scrutiny, and criticism for its response to Florida’s just-passed Parental Rights in Education Bill–widely known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill–the Lightyear editing decision has been reversed in an apparent course correction. Disney did not initially respond to the bill, but outside pressure both about the bill and Disney’s donations to elected officials who supported the bill forced a response from CEO Bob Chapek, who said in an internal memo that “I and the entire leadership team unequivocally stand in support of our LGBTQ+ employees, their families, and their communities.”
This response was seen by many as non-committal on both Disney and Chapek’s part, and the CEO not only apologized for the initial statement during a shareholder’s call, he later issued a follow-up apology via an internal memo as well. Earlier this week, a Twitter account named DisneyWalkout went active with an open statement from a group of the company’s LGBTQIA+ employees, and a link to a new website, WhereIsChapek.com. The group of Disney workers have planned multiple walkouts.
Although news of the Lightyear change is just now coming out, apparently the kiss was officially reinstated into the movie last week.
