Gay characters (and couples) in Disney shows and movies

[Tiger926]

Maybe there has already been a gay character and we didn't know it.

If it was just a character (not the prince or princess) in the movie, how would they portray them so we would know? Look what they do in regular movies...usually it is a flamboyant gay male that we see and laugh at and with and tends to be the favorite character in the movie. But that's not a real picture of gay men--the men I know who are gay do not act like that (although there are some girlier than me, lol). Just not sure how they'd show the character to be any different than a straight one.
Maybe I'm not thinking in the right direction and you all will tell me your ideas. This is something I never thought about before...

Good point. I know for me I'm not thinking of portraying in a satirical way, like you mentioned in a flamboyant sense (I can't stand that), but more of seeing 2 princesses or 2 princes together. My children don't question, because there is no difference. We love who we love, and for them, they see love, and not anything else, but they also don't see 2 same sex characters in any of the Disney movies or TV shows, and I think it will be a heck of a long time before they do.

It's honestly no big deal for us though, as we don't watch a lot of TV. My kids know that most TV and movies are made up of stories and actor/actresses portray characters, so since they live in the real world, which is my world, they are ok, as our household acknowledges all family types. I speak to my kids by saying stuff like when you have a partner one day, or if you have a wife (said to my daughter) or a husband (said to my boy, but he's only 4, has no real understanding of long term relationships anyway). I hate the whole stereotypical stuff that is portrayed on TV - I don't want my kids seeing that as it's making fun.

I wish Disney shows or movies would acknowledge that gay families exist, but sadly they do not. My husband and I have taught our children about different families, but there are many parents who do not because they believe it's wrong, and this is where Disney is because they don't want to offend paying customers which could cost them money.

Sadly, I think it will be a very long time before we see that...

Tiger

 

[java]

Disney still owns ABC right? So isn't Modern Family a "disney" show?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Disney still owns ABC right? So isn't Modern Family a "disney" show?

Well, yes but... Mitchell and Cameron tend slightly toward the more stereotypical image of the gay man. Someone I work with is like that, too; but I've met several male DISers who, if I didn't know they were gay I wouldn't have known they were gay.

 

[dngnb8]

If this occurs, I dont think it will be animation (child targeted). Parents are not open to having a feel good story of love based on sexual preference other then what society considers to be different.

Since we have numerous friends in the gay community, we dont have an issue with it. However, I think the politics of today are still way to volatile for Disney to take such a stand.

The Church as an organization would turn it into a media storm, and that would be bad for business.

That being said, now many fairy tales are out there that are based on a Prince finding his Prine?

 

[SandrA9810]

Ugly Betty comes to mind, the nephew in the story is gay, but not over the top flamboyant. They show he has different interests than the typical boy, and that he wears his heart on his shoulder. It's one of the few obviously gay characters without being too girly gay. Although the male assistant at work is more flamboyant than the nephew.

 

[dngnb8]

Ugly Betty comes to mind, the nephew in the story is gay, but not over the top flamboyant. They show he has different interests than the typical boy, and that he wears his heart on his shoulder. It's one of the few obviously gay characters without being too girly gay. Although the male assistant at work is more flamboyant than the nephew.

The typecast characature of Gay (The Nelly) is what everyone is familiar with. It is what most people relate with. They arent all Nelly's

 

[happygirl]

ABC has a lot of shows with gay characters so I don't think It a matter of bad press for them

 

[PeterPan09]

I think we would be more likely to see gay characters shown in a positive light on the Disney Channel shows for tweens. I wouldn't be shocked to see a minor character have 2 moms or 2 dads on one of those shows.

I think it's going to become easier to do when the current 20 somethings and under become parents. As a group they seem to be a lot less hung up on the issue than the generation parenting now.

 

[Aisling]

That would be weird to me, a princess/princess story ,prince/prince story.

 

[PeterPan09]

That would be weird to me, a princess/princess story ,prince/prince story.

It wouldn't be weird if that's how you were oriented.

 

[Aisling]

It wouldn't be weird if that's how you were oriented.

I know. That's why it would take me a little while to get used to it.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Remember, Disney owns ABC and Marvel, and both of those media companies have gay characters.

I don't think you will see a gay animated Disney character EVER.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

How can you not "support" a lifestyle????? It's a rhetorical question. No answer expected, or wanted.

Regardless, being gay is not a "lifestyle" it's a form of being. Period. Just to be perfectly clear; with or without the sex.

There are gay characters in animated Disney as we speak. Some stereotypical, others completely mainstream like the rest of the community.

 

[Goofyluver]

I'm sure I am the odd man out here. But, what people do in the privacy of their own home is their business. But, I don't support the gay lifestyle in any way shape or form. I believe in the marriage of a man and woman. That is what are country was built upon, and it is what I believe in.

I have met gay's in the past who I really like. I just don't support their lifestyle.

I have let my kids who are now 14 and 19 decide for themselves what is right and wrong. And they are much more openminded about it.

Again, this is my opinion, and I am not ashamed of how I feel.

How can you not "support" a lifestyle????? It's a rhetorical question. No answer expected, or wanted.

Regardless, being gay is not a "lifestyle" it's a form of being. Period. Just to be perfectly clear; with or without the sex.

There are gay characters in animated Disney as we speak. Some stereotypical, others completely mainstream like the rest of the community.

The Homosexual Lifestyle / Gay Lifestyle is:

Get up in the morning, moaning at the alarm clock.
Shower, dress, eat breakfast.
Go to work. Complain about traffic.
Work. Worry about the job getting outsourced to India.
Go home. Worry about gas prices.
Stop for groceries on the way once or twice a week.
Cook dinner. Realize there's no butter.
Eat dinner. Worry about blood pressure and cholesterol.
Do laundry. Try to figure out how to get that tomato stain out of that t-shirt.
Clean the house. Realize that a sock didn't make it into the laundry.
Pay bills. Worry about saving for retirement.
Watch a little TV, spend time with any family members in the house, talk with friends on the Internet.
Go to sleep.
Repeat.



Decadent, isn't it?

 

[Robinrs]

Wow I don't support the lifestyle of a long haired dog eating the same strand of spaghetti with a short haired dog either. Darn that Lady and the Tramp!!



I'm sooo sure those dogs don't care if I support it or not.

 

[shine87]

Wow I don't support the lifestyle of a long haired dog eating the same strand of spaghetti with a short haired dog either. Darn that Lady and the Tramp!!



I'm sooo sure those dogs don't care if I support it or not.

 

[mrsklamc]

There's the guy who thought he was in love with the queen in Enchanted. The book he wrote at the end was something about learning to love his inner queen...I thought that was supposed to be a subtle statement.

 

[Aisling]

I disagree. I think it would make for a great platform to open up to this discussion with kids.

I found this on a "Queer Parenting" thread on another forum and it just goes to show that even some Gay parents aren't ready to open up the discussion of Straight couples. Oh how alike people are.


Okay, this may be WAY over thinking on my part. But, as I perused children's board books to add to our collection I came across the Laura Ingalls Wilder board books...in which "Pa" figures prominently (of course!). I loved the books (the originals) as a child and look forward to sharing them with our son. Yet, at the same time, DS is 18 months old and I'm not quite sure how to explain straight couples with kids to him. I mean, we'll of course do the "all families are different, you have a mama and mommy, so and so has a mommy and a daddy" but right now that seems way abstract.

Seriously, I'm not quite sure on this one...which is making me laugh because of ALL the times I've read about straight folk who don't want their kids exposed to images of LGBT families because they don't want to have to explain!

Anyone else get tweaky on this one? innocent.gif I'm partially posting this just because I think it's really funny to be having this reaction--and because it does make me empathize (a VERY little, tiny, bit) with folks I perceive as being irrational homophobes! LOL

 

[Uncle Remus]

I dunno, growin' up to be a snowflake princess is just not very challengin' to me.

 

[Aisling]

I dunno, growin' up to be a snowflake princess is just not very challengin' to me.

I imagine you as a Jessie-type, like in Toy Story, good with a rope!