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midwestgirl89 · 17th Jul 2012, 06:22 PM

I find this thread really interesting and I have thought a lot about this in the past. I did a study this year where I had to watch the 103 top-grossing animated films released from 1980 to 2011. I was focusing on gender, but I did take notice of how there is no real LGBT representation. The only films that mentioned LGBT individuals were the South Park movie and (maybe? can't remember) The Simpsons Movie. Both films used gay people as a joke so I don't count those. Beavis and Butt-Head had a song about lesbian geese or something like that. But these 3 films are not geared toward children anyway.

While coding information for Tangled, I started to wonder why Rapunzel had to be in love with a guy. Why couldn't she love a girl? Why couldn't a prince fall in love with a prince? Why can't Sid and Diego be in love? (I got a gay vibe from them tbh)

I do think LGBT issues are seen as too controversial right now to be successful in children's animated film. However, I hope this changes sooner rather than later.

Like the others have said, I doubt that kids' movies are the ones that cause kids to dislike gay people. Usually, parents and peers have a stronger influence in children's lives than the media. But if the media changes, it could help at least a little bit. Kids watch a lot of tv and movies these days. In my research, I found that kids spend many hours a day with media. Media does influence children to an extent, just not as much as their family. But changing the media to include more LGBT characters can't hurt (as long as they are positive images).

One thing I've thought about is this: If we see LGBT characters in kids' movies, it'll be a sign that society is changing for the better. Children's movies are going to be the hardest film type to get to include LGBT characters. It can happen, even if it's years away.

Disney as a company is supportive of its LGBT employees. They provide benefits for partners and they have a group called PRIDE for its LGBT and LGBT-friendly employees. Disney even participates in the Pride parade. Unfortunately, Disney and other studios haven't made the initiative to include LGBT people in their movies.

One of my dreams is to help create or at least advocate for more equal treatment in Disney/kids' movies for LGBT people, females, racial minorities, and etc.

I could go on forever lol this is one of my favorite topics after watching all those movies.

I think it's important that people bring it to the attention of these companies that you'd like to feel represented. It might do nothing right now but change happens when we fight for it.

17th Jul 2012, 06:22 PM	#15
midwestgirl89 EC Addict Full Member Gender: Female Orientation: Gay Out Status: Some people Age: 23 Posts: 1,019 Join Date: Jul 2011	Re: Why Isn't LGBT in Kids Movies I find this thread really interesting and I have thought a lot about this in the past. I did a study this year where I had to watch the 103 top-grossing animated films released from 1980 to 2011. I was focusing on gender, but I did take notice of how there is no real LGBT representation. The only films that mentioned LGBT individuals were the South Park movie and (maybe? can't remember) The Simpsons Movie. Both films used gay people as a joke so I don't count those. Beavis and Butt-Head had a song about lesbian geese or something like that. But these 3 films are not geared toward children anyway. While coding information for Tangled, I started to wonder why Rapunzel had to be in love with a guy. Why couldn't she love a girl? Why couldn't a prince fall in love with a prince? Why can't Sid and Diego be in love? (I got a gay vibe from them tbh) I do think LGBT issues are seen as too controversial right now to be successful in children's animated film. However, I hope this changes sooner rather than later. Like the others have said, I doubt that kids' movies are the ones that cause kids to dislike gay people. Usually, parents and peers have a stronger influence in children's lives than the media. But if the media changes, it could help at least a little bit. Kids watch a lot of tv and movies these days. In my research, I found that kids spend many hours a day with media. Media does influence children to an extent, just not as much as their family. But changing the media to include more LGBT characters can't hurt (as long as they are positive images). One thing I've thought about is this: If we see LGBT characters in kids' movies, it'll be a sign that society is changing for the better. Children's movies are going to be the hardest film type to get to include LGBT characters. It can happen, even if it's years away. Disney as a company is supportive of its LGBT employees. They provide benefits for partners and they have a group called PRIDE for its LGBT and LGBT-friendly employees. Disney even participates in the Pride parade. Unfortunately, Disney and other studios haven't made the initiative to include LGBT people in their movies. One of my dreams is to help create or at least advocate for more equal treatment in Disney/kids' movies for LGBT people, females, racial minorities, and etc. I could go on forever lol this is one of my favorite topics after watching all those movies. I think it's important that people bring it to the attention of these companies that you'd like to feel represented. It might do nothing right now but change happens when we fight for it.