Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Previously Cut Same-Sex Kiss In Pixar's 'Lightyear' Added Back In After 'Don't Say Gay' Backlash

Previously Cut Same-Sex Kiss In Pixar's 'Lightyear' Added Back In After 'Don't Say Gay' Backlash
Pixar/YouTube

Amid the fiery backlash to Disney's donating to politicians involved in funding Florida's controversial so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill, which bans discussion of gender and sexuality in elementary schools, Pixar reinstated a previously cut same-sex kiss to its upcoming Toy Story prequel Lightyear.

The move comes following an open letter from LGBTQ employees and allies at Pixar saying Disney executives routinely force the removal of depictions of same-sex affection, despite claiming to be committed to "inclusive" content.


The kiss in Lightyear, which occurs between two female characters, was among those depictions cited in the employees' letter.

The Pixar employees' letter came in response to Disney CEO Bob Chapek's public refusal to pull Disney's funding to the Florida politicians behind the "Don't Say Gay" bill.

Critics of the bill have cautioned its vague wording and lack of definition of what constitutes discussion of gender and sexuality could leave even schoolchildren open to lawsuits should they mention their same-sex parents, for example.

Chapek justified his refusal to pull political funding by citing the company's commitment to LGBTQ "inclusive" entertainment, a characterization at odds with the company's practices, according to employees. They have even gone so far as to stage walk-outs in response.

The changes to Lightyear suggest those moves could be working at turning the tide behind the scenes in Disney's leadership.

The film, which features Chris Evans as the titular character and actress Uzo Aduba as a character named Hawthorne, who is in a same-sex relationship, will be the first Pixar film released in theaters since 2019.

The reinstatement of a kiss between Hawthorne and her same-sex partner is a leap forward for Pixar, which has had its films banned in parts of the world for simply mentioning same-sex relationships. It is unclear whether Lightyear's same-sex kiss will be edited out for those foreign markets, as is common practice, however.

On Twitter, some applauded the move, but many were unimpressed with what seemed like a token effort, especially since the damage from the Florida legislation has already been done.











And of course this being Twitter, there was also plenty of jokes.

Lightyear releases June 17.

More from News/lgbtq

Ribvar Karimi and Morgan Gardner Karimi
Morgan Karimi/Facebook

Alabama Woman 'Blindsided' After ICE Detains Her Trump-Supporting Iranian Husband

Another day, another MAGA face eaten by a leopard.

The "it wasn't supposed to happen to me" movement claimed two more victims on Sunday, June 22, when Ribvar Karimi was abducted by the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS's) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in a sweep that included 11 Iranians.

Keep ReadingShow less
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Alex Wong/Getty Images

RFK Jr. Admits That Banning Fluoridated Water Will Cause 'More Cavities'—But He's OK With That

Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was criticized after admitting in a Fox News interview with Harris Faulkner that his proposed fluoridated water ban would likely lead people to have more cavities—but defended the move nonetheless.

While fluoride is not federally mandated in drinking water, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had long recommended its inclusion. Fluoride helps prevent cavities by strengthening enamel, and numerous studies have shown that fluoridated water reduces tooth decay in both children and adults.

Keep ReadingShow less
Screenshot of Jesse Watters discussing Zohran Mamdani
Fox News

Jesse Watters Dragged After Trying To Give Mamdani A Scary Nickname That's Actually Kind Of Epic

Fox News personality Jesse Watters was widely mocked after he tried to give New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani a scary nickname in the vein of Conan the Destroyer—only for it to backfire considerably.

Watters is the latest member of the GOP to lash out at Mamdani, a democratic socialist who handily defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York City's Democratic mayoral primary last week.

Keep ReadingShow less
A man sitting on a couch
man sitting on sofa
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

People Sound Off On What Caused Them To Fire Their Therapist

We thankfully live in a world where there's no longer a stigma surrounding therapy.

Some people simply need professional help to deal with ongoing problems or even to get through the day.

Keep ReadingShow less
Andy Ogles; Zohran Mamdani
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images (left and right)

MAGA Rep Slammed After Calling For Mamdani To Be Stripped Of His Citizenship And Deported Over Rap Lyric

Tennessee Republican Andy Ogles was called out after he shared a letter he sent to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging her to denaturalize and deport New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani over a lyric in a rap song Mamdani released in 2017.

Mamdani ran a campaign centered around economic populism, arguing that the city, a global financial center, has grown unaffordable for everyday residents, citing soaring rents and grocery prices, and outlining policies aimed at reducing the cost of living.

Keep ReadingShow less