As we could imagine, this is done in order not to make audiences "angry" with the content that is being fed to their children. The letter makes clear that this didn't happen from lack of trying. Pixar has a history of trying to bring LGBTQIA+ voices into their mainstream movies, but so far these characters have been only in the background and their sexuality is mostly implied and never stated. Beyond the ‘inspiring content’ that we aren’t even allowed to create, we require action.” Even if creating LGBTQIA+ content was the answer to fixing the discriminatory legislation in the world, we are being barred from creating it. Nearly every moment of overtly gay affection is cut at Disney’s behest, regardless of when there is protest from both the creative teams and executive leadership at Pixar.
Disney has a history of shutting down fan-created Pride events in the parks We at Pixar have personally witnessed beautiful stories, full of diverse characters, come back from Disney corporate reviews shaved down to crumbs of what they once were. It began with the claim that Disney has a long history of supporting the LGBT community, but Disney Parks did not officially host Pride until 2019, in Paris alone. “Monday’s email, 'Our Unwavering Commitment to the LGBTQ+ Community', rang hollow. The letter also shot down Chapek’s statement that they can make the biggest impact on society through the content they produce by revealing that several Pixar pitches and scripts that featured LGBTQIA+ elements were systematically rejected. In the letter, the team reveals that they are “disappointed, hurt, afraid, and angry,” mainly with Disney’s financial involvement with legislators behind the “Don’t Say Gay” bill – the company allegedly tried to play both sides of the issue so as not to make any of the parts angry – and stated that they expected Disney to show up for its LGBTQIA+ employees, and it didn’t. RELATED: ‘Turning Red’ Review: Pixar Made a Lovely Film About Growing Up That Isn’t Horribly Sad! HRC, however, rejected Disney’s donation after stating that they cannot accept it “until we see them build on their public commitment and work with LGBTQ+ advocates to ensure that dangerous proposals, like Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay or Trans’ bill, don’t become dangerous laws.” Now, in an open letter signed by the whole LGBTQIA+ team from Pixar and their allies, the employees emphasize that Disney has a long history of not putting their money where their mouth is – and this still happens when it comes to Pixar stories. In the memo, Chapek stated that the “biggest impact” the company can make “in creating a more inclusive world is through the inspiring content we produce,” and pledged a $5 million donation to the Human Rights Campaign and other organizations. This week, after being criticized for staying mum as the "Don’t Say Gay" bill was passed in both the Florida House and Senate, Disney CEO Bob Chapek was pressured into releasing a statement and a company-wide memo, since many of the company’s LGBTQIA+’s employees are directly affected by the bill - which seeks to limit what can be taught in classrooms regarding gender and sexual orientation. Now, however, the Pixar team revealed in an official letter shared with Judd Legume, that creative decisions have angered them on a much deeper level. Earlier this year, the team that brought us films like Toy Story and Finding Nemo didn’t hold back to express their disappointment when the Mickey Mouse company decided to pull their latest animated film Turning Red from a theatrical release, giving it a Disney+ premiere instead.
It’s not exactly news that Pixar employees have been unhappy (to say the least) when it comes to their mother company Disney’s decisions regarding a series of issues.