Disney Needs To Properly Fix Its LGBTQ+ Mistakes In All Franchises

screenrant.com:

Current Disney CEO Bob Chapek has issued a statement promising to champion protections, visibility, and opportunity for LGBTQ+ people but, to do this, Disney will need to work on fixing the representation problems plaguing all of its franchises. Disney has a less-than-stellar track record for queer representation in its media, attracting no shortage of criticism. For a company that produces stories about relatable underdog characters, with strong themes of justice and being true to yourself, Disney can significantly help promote LGBTQ+ rights and work to undo marginalization. If only Disney stories would learn from their mistakes.

Chapek’s statement was made following the backlash caused by the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill proposed in Florida, as Disney was called on to do more to support its many LGBTQ+ employees. In a memo (via The Hollywood Reporter), Chapek’s promised to be a stronger ally, apologizing for not being more vocal, and acknowledging that laws like this one are a matter of basic human rights. But Disney has a chequered past with LGBTQ+ representation on-screen. The way to truly commit to Chapek’s words is through media, both movies and Disney+ TV shows.

Related: Cruella Repeats Disney's Queerbaiting Problem

Disney has begun to address its representation problems, but it has a habit of making the same mistakes over and over. So far, efforts by Disney to improve its LGBTQ+ representation have felt lukewarm at best. This may be an overly cautious approach, as a result of critics who complain that Disney characters shouldn’t be sexualized, but ignores all of the heterosexual Disney characters who already are sexualized, such as Esmerelda from The Hunchback Of Notre Dame or Jasmine from Aladdin. A big