Disney creates first official LGBTQ character in animated film but some say it's still not enough
Disney has created its first openly LGBTQ+ character which will feature in the upcoming Pixar film Onward, and ever since the internet has been reacting.
The animated character is called Officer Specter and is a cyclops police officer voiced by gay actress and producer Lena Waithe.
Specter's role has been described as "vital to the emotional arc of the story" and see it as the entertainment company's efforts to move the film industry forward.
But, others have said they do not think the role goes far enough.
The film is set in a fantasy world and follows two brothers, voiced by Tom Holland and Chris Pratt, as they try to bring their father back to life for 24 hours using magic.
Film producer Kori Rae told Yahoo Entertainment Officer Specter's role came about organically. "It just kind of happened," she said.
Director Dan Scanlon said: "It's a modern fantasy world and we want to represent the modern world."
However, a number of people have criticised the fact that Specter, who self-identifies as a lesbian and mentions she has a girlfriend in her scene, is only expected to appear in a single scene.
The lesbian character in onward just appear one time lmao i love disney 🤪 pic.twitter.com/i1sUZbNsYZ
— Moon🌛💕 @ bitch is back in town😎 (@DestinytoMoon)
Animator Michael Pitts, better known online as Piemations, wrote on Twitter: "Disney makes single-scene minor character gay in hopes of getting the LGBTQ community to shut up. A literal cop-out."
Onward cyclops: I love my wife
**dies and is removed from the rest of the movie** pic.twitter.com/wNQkx29h4u— Milo 🌟✨ (@planetzboy)
He added in a following tweet: "No I don't think I'll be seeing Onward."
The underseen MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL plays like a queer rights allegory, and Elsa is _right there_ (but no pressure, Disney Animation), but we're supposed to cheer that the sexuality of a minor character in a Pixar movie is treated like a nonissue? Color me unimpressed. https://t.co/TUZQnHvSiw
— Rubén Rosario (@RubenRos)
Jeremy Griggs from Geeks + Gamers also decried Disney in a video he produced for the platform.
disney makes single-scene minor character gay in hopes of getting the LGBTQ community to shut up.
a literal cop-out https://t.co/DHBfLJUp95— Mike (@Piemations)
In it, he mocks Disney Pixar for announcing the character with fanfare and says the character's role was made so minor so it would not make a difference to the plot when it is edited out for the Chinese film market.
Who's gonna tell Disney that if they want points from the lgbt community, they should release a movie about a princess falling in love with a princess, instead of releasing these irrelevant side characters who happen to be gay so homophobic countries can easily edit them out?
— 𝕝𝕚𝕫𝕫𝕚𝕖⁷ (@bIinkaholic)
HuffPost writer Mary Papenfuss also had a problem with the character's lack of screentime, writing: “A few problems: With just a single LGBTQ character, the modern world of “Onward” isn’t so modern.
“Officer Specter makes only a brief appearance in a single scene and refers once to her girlfriend.”
Alright everyone, here’s some context.
Disney promised another openly gay character in their movie “Onward” despite it only being a background character who will most likely be cut in the Chinese translation— AyyArrDee (@Ayyarrdiaz)
Papenfuss also goes on to attack what the character looks like, another fault popular among onliners.
"And though the film takes place in a 'magical kingdom' with 'fantastical creatures,' the other characters in the trailer all look pretty … normal.”
and now:
Onward features Disney’s first openly gay character!
A kind of butch looking ugly troll who is also a cop???— Rosie Albrecht (@TheRosiestLord)
Some called the animated character "ugly" and pointed out other characters in the film they think are better suited to the role.
DIVERSITY WIN! disney's first openly gay character is an ugly troll that is also a cop https://t.co/WOVahmJmUv
— funké (@funkemcfly)
Despite the roasting, the film itself has received a lot of praise as a heartwarming, often heartrending, and overall entertaining watch.
#PixarOnward is essentially Pixar’s ABOUT TIME. Yes, it’ll make you ugly cry (especially hard-hitting for those who’ve lost someone dear). It’s a heartrending love letter to the magic of rediscovery & latent powers our legacies hold. A percolating, magical potion of humor & heart pic.twitter.com/bbSAd5QqeL
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle)
And, while Officer Specter has fuelled a lot of debate, many hope it is a sign that a LGBTQ+ character will take up a leading role in the near future.
Onward is weird and ✨wonderful✨ Consistently surprising, appropriately sweet, occasionally profound, perfectly Pixar.
My only complaints: (1) we don’t get enough of the trash unicorns (2) it made me want to call my dad’s legs?? #OnwardPixar #Onward pic.twitter.com/RkAKGe33NL— Alison Foreman (@alfaforeman)
And there may already be signs of such a venture.
Loved #Onward
It's such a touching story about loss and growing up. This is my second viewing and I still teared up. It is just really relatable if you have lost someone you loved. pic.twitter.com/kRMVhAoHss— Laura (@lsirikul)
Rae and Scanlon said they were so impressed with Waithe they want to make a full film starring the actress and because of the comments some have speculated, there could be an Officer Specter spinoff.
Onward is set to be released in the UK on March 6.
The Standard has contacted Disney for comment.