The Role of Sexuality in Disney Animations
By Abby-Gale McDonald
As a child, animated TV shows and movies were more than just entertainment for me – they were my social media, my connection to the world beyond my own. From Saturday morning cartoons to weekday movie marathons (if I finished my homework in time), I found solace and joy in the colorful worlds and vibrant characters that filled my screen. Shows like 'Kim Possible' and 'Hannah Montana' weren't just entertainment; they were portals to adventures, friendships, and life lessons. As I followed Kim Possible's daring missions or joined Hannah Montana on her journey of fame and self-discovery, I felt a sense of connection and excitement that transcended the screen. But it wasn't just about escaping reality; but the valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and perseverance. Being in this Media Studies course has opened my eyes, and I have started questioning the portrayal of marginalized groups in media, specifically Disney animations, recognizing the power of representation and their effects on society.
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The Power of Media
Media is a powerful tool that shapes our perceptions, influences our culture, and contributes significantly to our lives. Through the consistent portrayal of certain groups and behaviors, the media can shape how we view and understand the world around us. "Most popular media promote, often in subtle and even contradictory ways, perspectives that support our basic social arrangements and endorse the legitimacy of social institutions, marginalizing attitudes and behaviors that are considered to be out of the mainstream" (Croteau & Hoynes, 2018, p. 193). Media consumption is very influential in children, as they are still developing their understanding of the world. Positive and diverse representations in media can promote empathy, acceptance, and critical thinking skills in young audiences. For instance, if LGBTQ+ characters are consistently depicted as villains or objects of ridicule, don't you think this could contribute to negative perceptions and biases against the LGBTQ+ community? For example, "In both the animated and live versions of The Lion King, Timon (the meerkat) dresses in drag as a distraction. The scene, while intended to be funny, places Timon in imminent danger, suggesting that trans and gay individuals are acceptable as sacrifices for the sake of the straight hero"(Parvanae, 2022). Disney has long been at the forefront of cinematic innovation, from its first animated feature 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,' and continuing through its collaboration with Pixar, to the Marvel and Star Wars franchises. One of Disney's early animations is the portrayal of Captain Hook in 'Peter Pan' (1953), who exhibits stereotypical traits associated with queerness, such as flamboyant mannerisms and exaggerated speech patterns. His character is depicted as cowardly and villainous, non-heteronormative characters are often presented as weak with effeminate traits, and the female characters are presented as old and devious with masculine traits reinforcing the negative association between queerness and villainy prevalent during that time, which contributed to the marginalization and stigmatization of LGBTQ+ individuals in media.
Voices in the Animated World
There have been challenges in achieving LGBTQ+ representation, including battling harmful stereotypes and the enforcement of the Hays Code, resulting in a historic lack of LGBTQ+ representation in children's animated shows and movies. "The original 1952 code stated that 'Sex crimes and abnormalities’ were unacceptable topics and that shows should foster ‘commonly accepted moral, social and ethical ideals characteristic of 'American life'... ...Queer characters were no longer just a source of ridicule, but violently attacked, fueling a decades-long 'bury your gays' trope that persists today." (Insider, 2022) In 1964, Disney terminated the contract of former Mickey Mouse Club star Tommy Kirk, who was widely admired by both critics and audiences, because he was discovered to be sexually involved with a man; he was basically blacklisted by the major studios, forcing him into smaller and smaller B films, such as Mars Needs Women (1968). In multiple ways, queer movie audiences of the classical era refused to accept the fact that they were not supposed to exist. When the Production Code mandated that films could not show “sex perversion,” queer folks persisted and eventually found ways to make certain characters, films, and even whole genres speak to and about them. Queer filmgoers used movies not only as an escape from the real world but also used films to question the heterosexist culture and find their own path.
Unveiling the Rainbow
Cartoons can reveal the performative nature of gender through character design and animation techniques, “since most cartoon characters cannot be drawn with actual sexual organs, animators rely on traits drawn from human culture to create the 'illusion' of gender" (Benshoff & Griffin, S, 2006). Characters like Bugs Bunny blur the lines of gender through their ability to seamlessly transition between masculine and feminine presentations, which challenge traditional notions of identity. In recent years, there has been an increase in representation in animated films, exemplified by Disney's "Lightyear," which features a same-sex kiss. It's kind of a big deal because LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream films, especially from giant big-budget, family-friendly animated movies is still pretty rare. I believe that this moment marked a step forward in LGBTQ+ representation, it demonstrated that increasing recognition and inclusion of diverse sexualities in media can have a positive impact on audiences. The excitement and acknowledgment of the importance of this moment for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies reflected a sentiment of progress and recognition of the struggles LGBTQ+ communities have faced in gaining visibility and representation in media.(Morrow, 2022).
LGBTQ+ Visibility in the Animated Universe
Looking back, I realize that much of what I know about relationships, diversity, and even life's challenges, I learned from the media I consumed. Media influences cultural norms and values by showcasing certain behaviors and lifestyles as desirable or acceptable. The recent surge in LGBTQ+ representation in animated films, seen by "The Owl House," the wonderful relationship between Luz and Amity, and the non-binary representation of Raine Whispers, marks a significant step forward in the portrayal of diverse identities. The power of seeing oneself reflected in media cannot be overstated, as it fosters a sense of empowerment and belonging. However, true progress requires more than just token representation; it necessitates the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in all aspects of the animation industry, from storytelling to production; Employ them in lead roles in the industry, like showrunners, directors, writers, artists, everyone involved in the production to create amazing queer animation and wonderfully well-developed queer characters. By providing a platform for queer voices and experiences, we can challenge stereotypes and biases, ultimately shaping a more inclusive and empathetic society. As we continue to tell stories through animation, let us strive for authenticity, celebration of diversity, and meaningful representation for all.
Thank you for reading! Here are a few questions to ponder:
What steps do you think the animation industry can take to ensure a more authentic and inclusive representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the future?
How important do you think it is to see descriptive representation in the shows you watch? Do you think Disney has an obligation to its audience, to produce accurate depictions of social identity in representation?
References:
Benshoff, H. M., & Griffin, S. (2006). Queer Images: A history of gay and Lesbian film in America. Rowman & Littlefield Pub.
Croteau, D., & Hoynes, W. 2018, August 2. Media/Society: Industries, Images, and Audiences. Sage Publications.
Parvanae, A. Disney Movies and LGBTQ+ Representation, "Analysis of LGBTQ+ Representation in Disney Films." (2022, June 24).
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