Disney has chosen to remove a transgender storyline from its upcoming animated series ahead of the show’s release.
The series, created by Pixar under Disney’s umbrella, tells the story of the Pickles, a co-ed middle school softball team, as they gear up for their championship game.
Scheduled to premiere on Disney+ on February 19, the eight-episode series highlights a different team member’s story in each episode.
According to a source familiar with the production, the character originally featured in the gender identity storyline will still appear in the show, but the plot addressing this topic has been removed.
The change was reportedly made several months ago, even though the character’s dialogue had already been recorded.
In a statement to CNN addressing the decision, Disney said: “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.”
The decision has fueled speculation about Disney’s motives, particularly in light of the recent reelection of former President Donald Trump.
Trump, known for his outspoken opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, has returned to the political spotlight as many corporations reassess their DEI strategies.
When asked if the removal of the storyline signaled an attempt by Disney to distance itself from diversity initiatives, the company declined to comment, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Disney CEO Bob Iger has previously stressed that the company’s main focus is on entertainment rather than conveying social messages.
In an interview with CNBC earlier this year, Iger remarked: “The term ‘woke’ is thrown around rather liberally. I think a lot of people don’t even understand really what it means.
The bottom line is that infusing messaging as a sort of number one priority in our films and TV shows is not what we’re up to. They need to be entertaining.”
Public reactions to Disney’s decision to remove the transgender storyline from Win or Lose have been sharply divided.
Supporters of the decision believe sensitive topics are best addressed by parents with their children.
“As a parent, I’m grateful Disney is respecting our role in guiding our kids,” one social media user commented.
On the other hand, critics see the removal as a concession to political pressures.
“Disney is caving to a loud minority and abandoning the very inclusivity it claims to champion,” criticized one social media user.
Others voiced disappointment, seeing the move as a setback for representation.
“This sends a message that trans stories aren’t worth telling, even in a nuanced way,” another commenter wrote.
Meanwhile, others speculated about the impact on the creators.
“Imagine the artists and writers who poured their hearts into that storyline only to see it erased,” said one Pixar fan.
This is not the first time Disney’s approach to LGBTQ representation has sparked controversy.
The 2022 Toy Story prequel, Lightyear, featured a same-sex kiss but initially encountered internal pushback before the scene was reinstated.
The film faced bans in more than a dozen countries and criticism from conservative groups.
Moreover, Disney has included LGBTQ representation in adult-focused content, such as FX’s Pose and Marvel’s Agatha: Coven of Chaos.
Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law in 2022 thrust Disney into a heated political battle, with the company’s response to the legislation sparking backlash from conservative media.
As Disney navigates these challenges, its leadership has repeatedly emphasized a focus on entertainment over messaging.
“When I came back, what I’ve really tried to do is to return to our roots — which is, remember, we have to entertain first: it’s not about messages,” Iger said during last year’s DealBook Summit.
Despite these assurances, the decision to remove the storyline has reignited debates about the balance between inclusivity and entertainment. This has led many to question what the future holds for representation in mainstream media.
