Alleged removal of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur episode due to transgender plotline
Disney, a major player in the entertainment industry, has found itself at the centre of controversy once again. This time, it's over the decision to potentially shelve an episode of the animated series "Moon Girl and Devel Dinosaur."
The episode in question, titled "The Gatekeeper," explicitly centres a trans teen character named Brooklyn. The plot revolves around Brooklyn, a teen volleyball player who attends Luna's school in the series, and her experiences with prejudice in school sports.
Footage from "The Gatekeeper" has been pulled from various sources due to copyright claims from Disney. However, a Disney source confirmed that the decision to pull the episode from release was made over a year ago, but did not elaborate on the reason for the cancellation.
This decision comes amidst Disney's history of controversy surrounding LGBTQ commentary in its projects. Last year, the company faced internal dissent for a lack of vocal support against the "Don't Say Gay" bill in Florida, where it also provides a major boost to the local economy through the operation of Walt Disney World.
In addition, workers at Pixar alleged in an open letter released in March 2022 that Disney had reduced LGBTQ characters and plotlines in its material "down to crumbs" after corporate review.
Meanwhile, the opposing coach in "The Gatekeeper" tries to disqualify Brooklyn from play and locks her, Luna, and the rest of the Squirrels in a facsimile of their locker room playing escape room trials in an attempt to force a disqualification through non-participation.
The episode's plot is thought to involve a theme related to trans kids participating in school sports, a topic that has been a hot button issue in recent years.
Disney is one of several major corporations that have resumed advertising on X, having paused late last year over concerns with the platform's then-new owner, Elon Musk. However, Musk, the new owner of X, has regularly uplifted anti-trans commentary and expressed his own anti-trans beliefs on the platform.
Musk will play a major role in the incoming Trump administration, co-chairing a new "Department of Government Efficiency" aimed at cutting waste in the federal government. The 2022 U.S. presidential election saw a ramping up of anti-trans rhetoric, with the Republican party spending an estimated $215 million on campaign TV advertisements targeting trans issues.
As the 2024 presidential election approaches, it remains to be seen whether Disney will reconsider airing "The Gatekeeper" or if the episode will remain shelved, adding to the ongoing controversy surrounding the company's handling of LGBTQ issues in its projects.
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