Thread by @Variety

A same-sex kiss has been restored in Pixar’s upcoming film #Lightyear following staff uproar over Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill. bit.ly/36uYP7v

On March 9, LGBTQ employees & allies at Pixar sent a joint statement to Disney leadership claiming that Disney executives had actively censored “overtly gay affection” in its films. In at least one case, the statement appears to have made a difference. bit.ly/36uYP7v

According to a source close to the production, Pixar’s “Lightyear,” starring Chris Evans, does feature a significant female character, Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba), who is in a meaningful relationship with another woman. bit.ly/36uYP7v

While the relationship was never in question, a kiss between the characters was cut from the film. After uproar surrounding the Pixar employees’ statement & Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s handling of the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, however, the kiss has been restored. bit.ly/36uYP7v

The decision marks a possible major turning point for LGBTQ representation not just in Pixar films, but in feature animation in general, which has remained steadfastly circumspect about depicting same-sex affection in any meaningful light. bit.ly/36uYP7v

According to multiple former Pixar employees, creatives within the studio have tried for years to incorporate LGBTQ identity into its storytelling in ways big and small, only to have those efforts thwarted. A Disney spokesperson declined to comment. bit.ly/36uYP7v

In Pixar’s #Luca, two young sea monsters build a profound friendship with each other that many interpreted as a coming out allegory. The film’s director, Enrico Casarosa, said he “talked about” the potential of Luca & Alberto’s friendship being romantic. bit.ly/36uYP7v

However, two sources tell Variety that the filmmakers also discussed whether the girl who befriends Luca & Alberto, Giulia, should be queer. But the creative team appeared to be stymied by how to do it without also creating a girlfriend for the character. bit.ly/36uYP7v

“We very often came up against the question of, ‘How do we do this without giving them a love interest?'” says one source who worked at the studio. “That comes up very often at Pixar.” bit.ly/36uYP7v