A source close to Pixar‘s Lightyear says the filmmakers are reversing course on its decision to omit a same-sex kiss from the film. The overtly queer exchange of affection is between Hawthorne, a character voiced by Uzo Aduba, and another woman. The relationship itself was never brought into question during production, though it appears the embrace between both characters was a step too far. The kiss had been edited out of the film before being restored last week.
Pixar has been among the most vocal of employees criticizing Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s comments about Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which would limit what teachers can say about gender and sexuality in classrooms for grades K through 3. The bill is a direct attack against the LGBTQA+ community, with President Biden calling the legislation “hateful.”
Chapek came under fire after bungling his approach to the bill, with many Disney employees, investors, and consumers voicing their disgust for his position. Chapek then apologized for “letting down” Disney’s LGBTQA+ employees. While the same-sex kiss remaining in Lightyear is a step in the right direction, Disney has a long way to go in making up for its lack of queer representation. Recently, the company muted queer content in films like Luca and Turning Red, which came as a major disappointment to creators hoping to see themselves reflected in their work.
For a more detailed account of Pixar’s move to restore the queer content in Lightyear, be sure to check out Variety‘s report.