On Friday, November 15th, a number of online sources, including Collider, shared that an episode of the popular Disney show Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur titled The Gatekeeper had been shelved or at least put on an indefinite hold. According to Collider, a Disney representative says this decision was made over a year ago, and that they “are respectful of the role parents play in making choices for their children, and having discussions on their own timeline."

Since the news broke, and the episode leaked, many online have expressed their frustration at the decision, noting especially how important this kind of representation is on television for trans kids in light of the attacks on their rights and access to safe community spaces. The episode depicts a parent/coach questioning the right of a trans girl to play middle school volleyball with her teammates, and when the player's coach expresses support for her player, takes supervillain measures to punish the whole team.

The message in the episode of teamwork and community care, and the story that so closely follows what too many kids are facing around the country is too important to keep locked up. Ironically, Disney is doing exactly what their villain does in the episode, keeping trans kids and their teammates from seeing themselves in the story.

Tell Disney to commit to airing this episode, and not to cave to pressure from groups that claim to speak for parents.