The Walt Disney Company recently launched a new line of LGBT-themed merchandise in anticipation of LGBT Pride Month this coming June. “The countdown to Pride Month is on with a colorful array of Pride products available now!” the company announced on Twitter.
The new ‘Rainbow Disney’ merch features some of Disney’s most iconic characters and brands emblazoned in rainbow colors. The iconic black mouse ears, for example, now bear the rainbow pride flag. The Star Wars and Marvel logos are available on enamel pins and t-shirts with a rainbow gradient. It’s Disney’s most forceful statement yet that they firmly support their LGBT fans.
Naturally, some people are very upset - but not for the reasons you might think.
Rainbow Capitalism
While reaction to the announcement was largely positive and many applauded Disney for supporting the LGBT community, not everyone was pleased – including some within the LGBT community.
Critics accuse Disney of participating in so-called "rainbow capitalism," arguing that Disney's colorful merchandise is mostly a cynical cash grab. They speculate the release happened simply because it's fashionable and profitable, and that Disney doesn’t actually care about LGBT individuals, only what’s in their wallets.
Critics argue that Disney's record is selective – they will happily take the good PR and cash in on Pride Month by selling merch, for example – but when it comes to putting LGBT characters or stories in their films, suddenly they’re hesitant to act.
“You want to muscle in on Pride?” one Twitter user asked. “You got LGBTQ+ stories or characters that reflect your support? Show your work.”
A Slow March
Gay characters in Disney films are few and far between, critics charge. It was only last year that Disney put in an openly gay character in one of their major theatrical releases, Onward.
Disney (who owns the Star Wars franchise) made a big deal about Star Wars’ first gay kiss in the lead-up to the release of the latest Star Wars film, The Rise of Skywalker. Fans went wild with speculation. Were Poe and Finn finally going to share a long-awaited tender moment?
Well, no. It was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it peck between two side characters in a large crowd.
Even those small steps were not taken lightly, as Disney seeks to walk a line between boosting LGBT representation and not upsetting evangelicals and other religious groups who aren't shy about making their feelings known on the subject.
A recent Christian Post op-ed insists that the rainbow merchandise is "one way Disney seeks to introduce children to LGBT ideology."
The author continues, writing: "people tempted by LGBT attraction and ideology are liberated not by protesting against Disney (though we should clearly stand against unbiblical morality) but by the transformation Jesus brings to a life."
Clearly, Disney is taking a measure of its audience and trying to keep everyone happy. Will they lean further into LGBT representation, even it means fewer religious groups visiting Disney World?
That's yet to be determined, but there's no mistaking what direction things are currently moving.
What is your reaction?
46 comments
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Christian
Believers do not take their family to places like Los Vegas or Disney. It's a personal choice - go to a National Forest park and experience the joy of our father creator in Heaven... explore the teaming life, our own Garden to enjoy together in love and friendship. Go rafting, hiking, biking, climbing - and feel the very wonder of creation.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
"It's a beautiful world we live in, beautiful in every way. Beautiful people everywhere. I love the way they show they care. Makes me want to say: It's a beautiful world, it's a beautiful world, it's a beautiful world for you, for you, not me!"
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Rather than listen to the dull and ignorant, as stated in the Desiderata, I prefer to do what it says in the Wiccan Rede: With a fool no season spend, or be counted as his friend. Blessed be!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Do you mean like what would Jesus do with his gay apostles,Donald, who left their wives to be with him, and never wanted women again? We can only imagine. I just wonder if Jesus was a top or bottom. I heard he had a little one, but would that make a difference?
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Donald John Reynolds
cant we all get along... im gay but look and act straight.i was married 2x to women who are crazy as loons!! every major problem in my life had women behind it... im now married to the love of my life.. Hi is name is ken. ive known i was gay since i was 7 yrs old. lived a lie for 36 yrs. then i got tired of lieing to the world and myself. God made me this way in his own image. Haters STOP. no body cares about your words. WHAT WOULD JESUS DO..
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Rev Mark D
As Mel Brooks said: "Moy-chandising...where da real money is made!"
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Michael S Cope
I work there. I've asked for a hetero family month items. I've been told no. I've filed a discrimination lawsuit thru a local lawyer. Otherwise I'd get fired. No inclusion for straight people here.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Straight people have never been discriminated against for being straight, Michael S Cope. You must be joking and seeking negative attention. And you're doing so in very bad taste. You will surely be laughed out of court.
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Michael S Cope
I work there. I've asked for a hetero family month items. I've been told no. I've filed a discrimination lawsuit thru a local lawyer. Otherwise I'd get fired. No inclusion for straight people here.
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Joanna Whitney
Ah the religion of money- when fiat currency is your God there is no reverence to the sacred- Disney is a notorious satanic organization
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Mrknowitall
You are not born gay. God created 2 human beings in The Beginning, every one else since then was made the old fashioned way. The difficult thing is that the Bible can’t be read like just a novel you’d pull off the bookstore shelf. The way it’s patterned isn’t actually chronological, and its contents are diverse and specific, rooted in the culture, languages, and events of the time. If one doesn’t approach the Bible with at least a beginning grasp of the many factors that played into its creation, preservation, and God’s intent for it, they can miss the purpose of its existence, the reason for its specific contents, the heart of its Author, and more.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
The bible is definitely just a novel Ginther,and a very rude comic book, written in bad taste, by unmedicated paranoid schizophrenics, and was never meant to be taken seriously. Only fools think otherwise. So if the shoe fits, wear it, you babbling idiot!!!
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Lionheart
I take issue on them being unmedicated Carl. I’m convinced some were as high a kite. What was Joseph on to have believed Mary’s story just for starters?
Mary: I’ve been somehow impregnated by a god. Sorry about that.
Joseph: Oh, okay dear. What’s for dinner? Is it fish again?
🦁❤️
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Furthermore, my good friend Lionheart, if Joseph knew what was going on, he probably didn't believe it, but was only pacifying her. Also, he didn't have the heart to tell her that his sheep skin condom broke nine months earlier, so she really wasnt a virgin, and she was only having a bad dream about doing with a god (or maybe it was a schizophrenic delusion of grandeur).
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
This ministers blog is not a place for ministers to preach their religion. And when they do, the rest of us won't stand by and let them.
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flugo
'danther': Well said. Only the ignorant and/or the close-minded would purport otherwise. The Bible labels them as fools, darkened minds, stiff-necked and hard-hearted. We have pity on them; pray for them; and continue pointing them to Jesus, our ONLY hope and Savior!
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Minister Karen
Jesus loves us all!! Never forget that!
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Maybe so, Karen, but many of us don't care if Jesus loves us, or if he even exists. Many of us don't want any part of that perverted, Christian love. And we don't want to go to Christian Heaven when we die, iether!
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Edwin Castro
Hello everyone I have a question Does this ministry support the LGBT movement? Please respond quickly.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Edwin, ULC even has a workshop book for performing gay weddings. Check out the ULC Ministers Store. There are many LGBTQ ULC Ministers. We are all children of the same universe. And if ULC posts this comment you can rest assured that LGBTQ people are welcome here, just asuch as everyone else, without any prejudism. Welcome, brother.
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Rev Frankie PG
OMG so cute, I'll take a pair of rainbow ears=0) Being gay is who a person is, we COULD choose to conform to all being heterosexuals but then again, most of us would just choose to be single and live miserable lives. If we deny who we truly are then are we living within the Fruits of The Spirit (ie- love, joy, peace, patience, etc.)? Answer is a DEFINITE NO!! I don't mind if the LGB Community isn't "fully" represented through Disney, the fact that they appreciate and welcome us is what matters. There are always going to be critics (ie- they only want our money) but why let hate get you down. LOVE is the answer, stop getting hooked on labels and start appreciating the representation.
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Minister Carlos Ricardo Walls
Pray,Pray,Pray and stop the insanity?Amen.
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Lionheart
Pray to what Carlos? People have been talking to walls, floors, ceilings, and even the sky for centuries Carlos, but s*** still happens, which is hardly surprising because walls, floors, and ceilings, don’t speak back Carlos. I know you think they do, and that’s ok, we’ve been where you are, but I hate to break it to you, and I’ll try and whisper it………(whispering) there’s no one there Carlos.
🦁❤️
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
Atleast statues of Catholic saints have faces with mouths, that those nuts see them talking through. That's totally nuts too, but not nearly as preposterous as hearing voices coming out of walls, floors, and ceilings, unless we're talking about disincarnate entities. If that's the case you better call Melinda Gordon.
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
No form of obsession is good for us, Carlos. Praying too much is a form of insanity. You might be better off seeking balance, and working the twelve steps, over your obsession with prayer, or atleast listen to relaxation CDs.
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Rev. Jonathan Peebles
This is amazing and just when I was losing hope in them
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Thom
They can do what they want and I can do what I want. My wife and I are going to Florida for business this summer and we are making a stop in Orlando. This stop will not include Disney.
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JR Delphi
As is your right, as it is mine not to shop at Hobby Lobby or eat at Chick-Fil-A.
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JR Delphi
And is your right; and as it is also my right not to shop at Hobby Lobby or eat at Chick-fil-A. We don’t support haters here.
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Kirk England
Disney parks are so crowded that I have zero desire to go to any of them again. Maybe they are trying to fill gaps folks like me opened in their long lines with gays? More than likely it’s just bandwagon wokeness and profiteering because who doesn’t love money!?!
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Reverend Andrew
Disney has been doing Gay Disney all the way back to 1991!
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Douglas Robert Spindler
They are making up for what they did in the past.
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Nicholas J Page
Here we go again LGBTQ why can't people leave these people alone God loves every one all over the world what difference does anyone's sexual orientation is . Were all the same.Humans when God created mankind and the world.Did he say no Gays only straight people I'm hextrosexual am I wrong to be straight? Leave these people alone Let them be I'm fed up reading about it all God loves every body End of discussion
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Daniel Gray
Let them, and when they lose their shirts on this then they can say they were warned.
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Aron Mark Doherty
Hush up fool. The world is leaving you and your kind behind and the sooner that happens the better.
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Daniel Gray
so when they lose their shirts, what are you going to blame it on then fool?
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
You sound like you're looking forward to seeing them without shirts on, Danielle. Why stop with their shirts? We know where this is leading, girl.
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Reverend Andrew
if you look back Disney has been doing Gay Disney alway back to 1991! and you are just now coming to the relaziation that Disney Likes LGBTQ people! Get over YOURSELF the world doesn't revolve around you and your hate!
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Daniel Gray
and if you look back at the attendance, since they started this they have lost close to 30% of the people who used to go to the parks.
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Wesley Cleveland Jolly
I would really like for you to cite your sources for this statement, because the numbers I am finding do not support your assertion. They did show a decrease in 2020, but I I think we can safely say that was as a result of a global pandemic and government-mandated shutdown, not their stand on lgbtq issues.
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Daniel Gray
And I guess the NY Stock Exchange that shows Disney has lost on the exchange isnt good enough for you?
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Daniel Gray
already did, the New York Stock Exchange
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
I bet you'd look good in a Disney Pride t-shirt, Danielle. You could even wear it to a parade next month, and have a fabulous time!
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Daniel Gray
just because you like to wear these money losing shirts carla does not mean any other sane person would
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Carl Bernard Elfstrom
So if you won't be wearing Disney Pride merchandise to the Pride parade next month, Danielle, what will you be wearing?
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In 1978 at Disneyland (the California original), there was a private party for the Los Angeles Restaurant Association, which happened to be a cover for a private party for the LGBT community. I was scheduled originally to work the Tiki Room, but they put me on the Jungle Cruise for that evening. It was probably one of the better nights I have ever spent on the Jungle Cruise.
Remember Wayland Flowers? He was a big hit then. He was being swarmed by many guests there.