Featured Image Credit: Credit: Disney/Pixar
Topics: Toy Story, Film and TV
Rhiannon Ingle
The Toy Story franchise was a huge part of a whole generation's childhood, and the newest addition is set to be released later this summer, a strong 27 years after the original.
With none other than Captain America – Chris Evans – set to play the voice of Buzz Lightyear, and Pixar favourite Angus MacLane directing, Lightyear is exciting fans far and wide.
However, not all fans of the children's favourite were as stoked about the newest addition to the much-loved Toy Story franchise.
The plot of the prequel follows Buzz embarking on an intergalactic adventure picking up a bunch of misfit friends along the way, one of which is Alicia Hawthorne, who is voiced by Orange Is the New Black's Uzo Aduba.
In one scene, a same-sex kiss is shared between Alicia and her partner, who is also a woman.
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But when news broke that this scene was being cut, many voiced their frustration and shock that Pixar had decided to remove this particular scene.
Letters from LGBTQ+ employees over at Pixar, along with their allies, publicly voiced their disapproval, accusing the entertainment company of censoring and minimising 'overtly gay affection' in its content.
The reason for the scene's original removal stems from newly-passed anti-LGBT legislation that has aptly been dubbed as the 'Don’t Say Gay' bill.
The legislation effectively controls and restricts teachers in the Florida area from educating pupils about gender identity and sexual orientation.
It also states that 'Parents may bring an action against a school district to obtain a declaratory judgement' as well as press damages and financial implications if caught violating the bill.
After being silent on the legislatory matter, Disney was confronted by the franchise's fans and the company's employees outraged at them for not using their platform to speak up against such prevalent socio-political issues.
The silence became so controversial among fans that CEO Bob Chapek even publicly apologised for Disney's initial silence on the serious matter.
Galyn Suysman, the producer of Lightyear, supported the restoration of the kiss scene, stating that it was 'important' to remain in the movie.
She added that although the film's lesbian couple had 'always been a part of the film, being able to put back the kiss was important to us'.
Both for politics and for plot, Suysman revealed that it is through this kiss that the narrative plot truly blossoms, as it is this 'touching moment' that allows 'Buzz to see the life that’s being lived in front of him… that he’s not having'.
Lightyear is set to be in cinemas June later this year.
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