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Credit: DisneyWe recently reported that Minnie Mouse, the most iconic female character in all of Disney, had a big new change: gender fluidity. As anyone could reasonably expect, this has kicked off yet another huge firestorm of criticism against the House of Mouse.
Minnie Mouse has been part of American iconography since she first appeared in the original Steamboat Willie (1928) alongside her partner (boyfriend? husband?) Mickey Mouse, who has gone through some changes himself recently.
But while Disney fans are somewhat able to deal with changes like Minnie Mouse becoming a French partisan or the captain of a ship, it seems that gender fluidity was a bridge way too far for the anti-woke crowd.
Related: Disney Park Reverses Controversial Ban After Immense Backlash
Minnie Mouse, Seann Altman, and Disney
Disney Style (the division of the company that handles fashion) recently partnered with Seann Altman for a video in which the TikTok influencer (who identifies as gender-fluid and uses he/him pronouns) dressed in a Minnie Mouse-styled video.
@seannaltman #ad Minnie is ME! I fit right in with Mickey and his friends! @disneystyle #mickeyfriendsstaytrue #Disney100 #grwm #ootd #minniemouse #disneyoutfits #disneycosplay
Seann Altman even captioned that video, “Minnie is ME. I fit right in with Mickey and his friends! @disneystyle.”
As you can imagine, there is a very vocal faction of Disney fans who are upset about a gender-fluid influencer with male pronouns being officially partnered as Minnie Mouse.
“Literally look like Minnie Mouse?” Um, NO! Not a fan of Mickey or Minnie anyway! 🤷♀️
— Ovieohdoya (@Ovieohdoya1st) August 11, 2023
Another Disney Backlash
The Internet is currently buzzing with anti-Disney anger directed toward both Minnie Mouse and Seann Altman.
Disney Takes A Page From Bud Light To Promote Minnie Mouse Outfit to Kids https://t.co/cBQjBjdlij Disney has more to lose and has followed a falling company into their swirl of bad influence and financial disaster! They over look that people DO NOT need to go to disney!! >>
— Wilfredo Roldan (@WilfredoRo57886) August 11, 2023
In the last several years, the Walt Disney Company has become a target of conservative rage and accusations of “radical woke ideology,” largely because of the iconic media corporation’s public opposition to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s HB 1557, better known as the “Don’t Say Gay” law.
it's a wheedly child catcher voice and the minnie mouse cutesie clothing and performative mannerisms, nothing to do with sexuality.
ironically adults dressed as characters are not allowed into Disney parks because of the safeguarding risks.— Alison Ashwell (@AlisonAshwell) August 11, 2023
Currently, DeSantis and Disney are locked in lawsuits against each other. While the outcomes of both cases are very much in the air, conservative former Disney fans have flocked to the governor to accuse Disney of everything from politicizing Splash Mountain to sexualizing children (which Disney CEO Bob Iger has publically called “preposterous and inaccurate”).
I don't think the problem is his voice more what he's saying, the way he's saying it.
I have no issue with gay men or feminine men, but I find it vile when a grown man dresses up as Minnie mouse & acts like a kid.I think Kelly probably feels the same.
— Terf Island Rules 🏴Cookie Card Player (@Clairey_Frances) August 11, 2023
Related: The Perfect Minnie Mouse Ears For Every Taylor Swift Era
“Woke” Snow White
However, Minnie Mouse and Ron DeSantis are not the only backlashes that the company is facing, with its new live-action remake of Snow White starring Rachel Zegler being accused of “wokeness” for casting a Latina actress and its portrayal of the seven dwarves.
My stepdaughter loves Minnie mouse. There's no way this marketing is for her. Or any other child.
I won't deny Disney is a brand with a mass of adult appeal. Still crucial they be much more responsible in how they market and depict childhood. This person is clearly an adult.
— Dan Hadley (@the_spacebook) August 11, 2023
We’ll have to wait and see how Disney deals with the reaction to its latest portrayal of Minnie Mouse, but we have a feeling people are going to be angry for a while.
What is your reaction to the Minnie Mouse video and Disney’s partnership with Seann Altman? Let us know in the comments below.