Pixar’s highly anticipated animated series Win or Lose has undergone a significant change, as Disney has decided to remove a transgender storyline from one of its episodes. The series, which follows a co-ed middle school softball team called the Pickles, is set to premiere on 19 February 2025.
Each of the show’s eight episodes focuses on the personal life and perspective of a different character, including players, parents, coaches, and even an umpire. However, The Hollywood Reporter has learned that a character’s gender identity storyline has been cut, with Disney confirming the decision.
Disney’s official stance: Leaving it to parents
In a statement to THR, a Disney spokesperson said:
“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.”
Although the character remains in the series, a few lines of dialogue referencing gender identity have been removed. Insiders suggest the decision was made months ago, but Disney has declined to elaborate further.
A controversial history with LGBTQ+ content
This isn’t Disney’s first brush with controversy regarding LGBTQ+ representation. In 2022, the studio faced backlash over its response to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. That same year, Pixar’s Lightyear featured a same-gender kiss, and Disney Animation’s Strange World introduced an openly gay lead character. Both films, however, struggled at the box office, earning $226.4 million and $73.6 million globally, respectively.
Elsewhere, Disney Channel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur recently made headlines after claims surfaced that an episode focusing on a transgender character was shelved. Disney denied banning the episode, stating the decision to withhold its release was made over a year ago and wasn’t due to the content.
Trans actress Chanel Stewart speaks out
The decision to remove the storyline from Win or Lose has drawn criticism from Chanel Stewart, the transgender voice actress whose character was affected. Stewart, now 18, was just 14 when she landed the role after responding to an open casting call for a trans actress.
Speaking to Deadline, she shared her disappointment:
“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.”
The balancing act of representation
While Disney continues to include LGBTQ+ representation in its more adult-focused content—such as FX’s Pose and Searchlight Pictures’ All of Us Strangers—animated projects aimed at younger audiences remain a battleground.
As Hollywood navigates an increasingly polarised cultural landscape, studios like Disney must decide how to balance inclusivity with audience expectations. One thing’s clear: the conversation is far from over.
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