Pixar restores same-sex kiss in Lightyear after employee protests

Disney's Pixar has restored a same-sex kiss in its Lightyear origin story after employees protested the removal of gay storylines from Pixar films. Variety cited unnamed sources as saying the storyline will appear in the June 17 release of Lightyear.

According to Variety, despite the fact that the Toy Story spinoff Lightyears features two women in a relationship, the studio cut a kiss between them from the film. The kiss was restored after employees protested that Disney leadership did not immediately condemn Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" law, which prohibits discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in the classroom.

Although former Disney CEO Bob Iger condemned the bill back in February, current CEO Bob Chapple held off on fully condemning it until after it passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature. Rather than issuing a company statement opposing the bill before the legislature passed it, Chapple said, "I believe the best way for our company to bring about lasting change is through the inspiring content we produce."

However, a letter sent to Disney leadership by Pixar employees last week reportedly stated that openly gay storylines had been cut from Pixar films by Disney.

"We have witnessed firsthand at Pixar beautiful stories, filled with diverse characters, come back from the Walt Disney Studios review with nothing left to show for it," the letter states. "Nearly every scene of overtly homosexual affection was cut at Disney's behest, and Pixar's creative team and executive leadership will protest."

Pixar's 2020 animated film "Onward" featured the studio's first openly gay character, but the scene was swiftly passed without her appearing on screen with her partner. Pixar also released a SparkShorts animated short titled "Out," which tells the story of a gay couple.

"It has become clear that this is not just an issue about a Florida bill, but another challenge to basic human rights," Chapke wrote to employees last week after protests within the company. "You needed me to be a stronger ally in the fight for equal rights, and I have let you down. I am sorry." Chapke also said Disney would increase its support for advocacy groups fighting similar laws in other states.

Despite Chapek's eventual rebuke and apology, some LGBTQ Disney employees and allies walked out this week, including one at Pixar on Friday. The walkouts are scheduled to continue next week, culminating in a full strike on Tuesday.

Some Disney employees said: "Recent statements and lack of action from TWDC (Walt Disney Company) leadership regarding the 'No Talk of Homosexuality or Transgender People' bill is completely inconsistent with the severity of the threat this legislation poses to LGBTQIA+ safety."