Disney has decided to axe a planned transgender storyline from its upcoming TV series Win or Lose.
The show, from beloved animation studio Pixar, will no longer feature an episode focused on a trans character’s struggles over gender identity.
The character is still present in other episodes but other lines of dialogue relating to gender have been cut.
Win or Lose centres around a middle school softball team in the lead up to a championship match.
Each instalment of the eight-episode series will follow a different member of the team, dubbed the Pickles, and their life outside the sport.
Initially, the transgender character’s story was due to feature in one of the later episodes which has now been scrapped.
Disney chose to axe a transgender plot from their upcoming series
Disney / Pixar
“When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognise that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline,” wrote a Disney spokesperson in a statement about the move.
A source close to production revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that a decision on the major changes had been made “months ago”.
Transgender actress Chanel Stewart, who was cast as Win or Lose’s trans character when she was 14-years-old, said Disney’s move was “very disheartening”.
“From the moment I got the script, I was excited to share my journey to help empower other trans youth. I knew this would be a very important conversation. Trans stories matter, and they deserve to be heard,” she told Deadline.
The show follows a kids softball team
Disney / Pixar
In the same interview, Stewart’s mother Keisha called the axing “another setback for the LGBTQ community”.
“There may be some parents out there who are not ready to have that conversation, but this is the world that we live in and everyone should be represented. Everyone deserves to be recognised,” she slammed.
Disney and Pixar’s decision has proved divisive, with fans celebrating the move on social media.
“FINALLY - A respect for Parental Authority. Most parents like myself appreciate the opportunity to introduce sensitive topics, like gender identity, at a pace and in a manner where we feel comfortable with it, rather than having it pre-determined in media for our children,” one delighted parent wrote.
Another argued: “This is great news. Very glad to see a shift back towards reason.”
“Disney shareholders must have finally put their foot down after years of Disney putting out woke movies that consistently lost money,” a third observed.
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Fans were divided over Disney's decision
Disney / Pixar
The commentor was referencing Disney box office bombs Lightyear and Strange World, with some blaming the flops on both prominently featuring LGBTQ relationships.
However, other fans denounced Disney’s axing of the trans storyline.
“Just cancelled my Disney plus subscription. Won’t support a service that won’t support human rights,” one fumed.
Another asked: “At what point are trans people allowed to exist in the narrative? At what point are LGBT+ people allowed to tell our stories without worry of censorship or removal?”
