Disney, Pixar Films Nominated For Award Celebrating Representation of LGBTQIA+ People of Color

Two of The Walt Disney Company’s most recent films, Lightyear (2022) and Strange World (2022), were wrapped up in controversy before their releases.

Related: Disney Parks Exceeded Q3 Earning Expectations By Nearly $1 Billion, Made $7.39 Billion

After cutting a gay scene from Turning Red (2022), Pixar reversed course and included a once-cut lesbian kiss in Lightyear (much to the dismay of Tim Allen, the voice of toy Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story series). In Strange World, animators proudly included a gay main character who openly talks about his crush on another boy with his father and grandfather. Over a dozen conservative countries banned both films.

Ethan Clade (Jaboukie Young-White) and Splat. Credit: Disney — Credit: Disney

Now, Pixar and Walt Disney Studios are being rewarded for their bravery in including LGBTQIA+ storylines. Both films are nominated for GLAAD’s Outstanding Film: Wide Release Award. They’re up against Nope (2022), Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022), Bros (2022), and Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022). GLAAD wrote:

GLAAD’s dedication to accelerating the acceptance, representation, and recognition of all LGBTQ stories is reflected in the sheer diversity of this year’s nominees. The nominations include media that represents not only a wide range of LGBTQ identities, but which also feature numerous LGBTQ people of color from a variety of cultural, ethnic, and racial backgrounds.

More on Strange World

The Clade family take a look at a whole new land from their airship in 'Strange World' (2022). Credit: Walt Disney Animation Studios — Credit: Walt Disney Animation Studios

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Strange World, which hit theaters last Thanksgiving, is now on Disney Plus. From Disney:

“Strange World” introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob called Splat; Legend, the family dog; and a slew of ravenous creatures. The voice cast includes Academy Award®- and Tony Award®-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Emmy®- and two-time Golden Globe®-nominee Dennis Quaid as Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father, Jaeger; comedian, actor, writer, filmmaker and musician Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old, adventure-seeking son, Ethan; actress, producer, bestselling author and TIME100 cover honoree Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and critically acclaimed actress, producer, director and fine artist Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world. Helmed by director Don Hall (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Raya and the Last Dragon”) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer “Raya and the Last Dragon”), with Roy Conli (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Tangled”) producing, “Strange World” is in theaters now.

More on Lightyear

Chris Evans as Buzz Lightyear — Credit: Pixar Animation Studios

Directed by Angus MacLane, Pixar’s Lightyear is an all-new take on the actual Star Command hero behind our favorite toy. From Disney:

From Disney and Pixar comes an animated sci-fi action-adventure — the definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans), the hero who inspired the toy. “Lightyear” follows the legendary space ranger on an intergalactic adventure alongside ambitious recruits, Izzy, Mo and Darby, and his robot companion Sox. As this motley crew embark on their toughest mission yet, they must learn to work as a team to escape the evil Zurg and his dutiful robot army who are never far behind.

Which film do you think will win the GLAAD Award for Outstanding Film: Wide Release?