Disney-pixar’s “Onward” Will Feature The First Openly LGBTQ Character

in Disney, Entertainment, Movies, Pixar

onward features first openly LGBTQ

Officer Specter / Credit: Disney

Disney-Pixar’s Onward will feature the first self-identified LGBTQ character in an animated Disney film. While this isn’t the first time Disney has featured its first LGBTQ character in its cinematic universe, it is the first animated film by the company to have a character explicitly identified as a part of the community.

Officer Spencer
Officer Specter / Credit: Disney

Officer Specter’s character will appear briefly in the film’s story in a scene where she is discussing her girlfriend with other characters. While it is unclear if Specter represents the lesbian or bisexual communities, it is precisely aligned with the LGBTQ community. Onward producer Kori Rae describes the inclusion of Yahoo Entertainment as a way to “open up the world a little bit” and “represent the modern world.”

Related: Marvel’s “Eternals” Will Feature First Openly Gay Couple With Family in MCU

Officer Specter is voiced by actress Lena Waithe, who is also openly gay. Rae expressed his excitement over Officer Specter and the performance by Waithe, even saying that, while Specter is not the main character, he would love to see “an Officer Specter spinoff.”

Openly LGBTQ actress Lena Waithe voices officer Specter

Voice Actor Lena Waithe
Voice Actor Lena Waithe / Credit: Huffington Post

Many fans who have wanted more LGBTQ representation in Disney films will be excited to hear this news. In the past, fans have felt that while Disney has subtly introduced characters in the community, it has never been significant enough to label the decisions as representation (including a gay kiss between a lesbian couple in the new Star Wars movie). Others feel that while characters in the community should be represented, there is no need to explicitly state it in the film. Regardless, this seems to follow a pattern of Disney choosing to integrate more LGBTQ characters into its media.

Related: Why “Onward” Had to be Pixar’s First Fantasy Movie

Disney Parks Gear Up to Celebrate Pride Month

Disney’s Onward will be released on March 6th, 2020.

Are you excited to see Disney-Pixar’s Onward? Let us know what you look forward to most in the comments below!

in Disney, Entertainment, Movies, Pixar

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