Members of the European Parliament will be writing to Disney over claims scenes of “overtly gay affection” are being cut from its films.
It comes after Pixar employees warned that Disney executives had demanded cuts from “nearly every moment of overtly gay affection” featured in its films.
It said the cuts were demanded in spite of “protest from both the creative teams and executive leadership at Pixar.”
On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, Irish MEP Maria Walsh said she will be joining her colleagues in writing to Disney’s European branch in support of the Pixar employees.
“Certainly, in terms of my work in the Parliament - I sit on the culture and education committee and I am a chair of the LGBTI Intergroup - and we will certainly be writing to the headquarters in Paris making sure we are also showing support,” she said.
“It can’t just be one community speaking on behalf of one other community. It has to be right across the world.
“Equality is hard-bought and quickly lost.”
Inclusivity
The Pixar letter came after Disney CEO Bob Chapek wrote to all his employees noting that the best way for the company to have an impact is to create a “more inclusive world is through the inspiring content we produce”.
The letter takes his claims apart point-by-point – accusing Disney of “capitalising on Pride” and saying Mr Chapek’s assertion that Disney is showing unwavering support to the LGBTQ+ community ‘rings hollow’.
“We at Pixar have personally witnessed beautiful stories, full of diverse characters, come back from Disney corporate reviews shaved down to crumbs of what they once were,” it states, warning that Pixar is being barred from creating LEGBTQ+ content.
European Parliament
Ms Walsh said she was surprised and disappointed to hear about Disney’s actions.
“They are single-handedly not supporting the LGBTI community even though they have done things like pull releases from Russia in support of Ukraine and stopped political donations to any member of Congress involved in the objection to the 2020 presidential results
“So, they make great strides and waves in other areas and it would just seem, in terms of the LGBTI community, it falls short.”
She said there is a “correct and honest need” for creative companies like Disney to “reflect what our society looks like – and that is all forms of families, singles, LGBTI, Trans whatever it may be.”
You can listen back here:
