Yesterday, an article in The Hollywood Reporter further elaborated on the aura of anger and frustration within Pixar over Disney’s recent mandates for them to dial back on stories with “messages” in favor of entertaining the masses first and foremost. This turns out to have not only translated to the de-queering of Win or Lose (and previously Inside Out 2), but also the forced downplaying of a central environmentalist message in Hoppers, and even Elio (which I am still overwhelmingly excited for in spite of everything), while the article doesn’t go into specifics, has been implied to have also been a victim of these mandates.

Several Pixar staffers were quoted in the article with their thoughts, with one saying of this of the Win or Lose situation and the erasure of the transgender storyline:

"The episode in its final form was so beautiful — and beautifully illustrated some of the experiences of being trans - and it was literally going to save lives by showing those who feel alone and unloved, that there are people out there who understand… So it's just very frustrating that Disney has decided to spend money to not save lives."

All this to say Disney is further shooting themselves in the foot by forcing a reduction of radical and meaningful storytelling under their umbrella, presumably all in the name of not pissing off shareholders or the incoming presidential administration.

It truly disheartens me to see one of my favorite animation studios being neutered and compromised in real time, and though I largely feel helpless to do anything substantial with what little leverage I have, I refuse to back down, no matter what.

Once again, I encourage you all to share the petition with your friends, especially in the LGBTQ+ community, and spread the message far and wide. Make your voices heard and tell Disney that we will not stand for the erasure of truly meaningful storytelling that has the power to change and even save lives.