The computer-generated animation studio Pixar unveiled its first gay main character Friday with its newest short film Out.
The Disney-owned studio premiered the LGBTQ-themed short on the Disney+ streaming service as part of its more experimental SparkShorts program.
The nine-minute film follows a man named Greg who desperately tries to hide any trace of his boyfriend Manuel ahead of a visit from his parents.
Game changer: Pixar revealed its first openly gay main character in the animated short film Out, which debuted Friday on Disney+
The Disney+ Twitter account advertised the ‘heartwarming tale’ with a post Thursday featuring a short trailer.
Greg, who has a thick red beard and wears an ushanka ear flap hat, tries to talk himself into coming out to his parents in the opening of the clip.
‘Just look them in the eyes and say, “Mom, Dad, I’m—’ he says before he’s interrupted by his parents ringing the doorbell.
Though his warm parents are there to help him move into his new place, his zealous dog and some ill-timed magic nearly reveals his secret when it tries to hide a portrait of Greg and his boyfriend.
Takes courage: The Disney+ Twitter account advertised the ‘heartwarming tale’ with a post Thursday featuring a short trailer. Greg, who dresses like a lumberjack, tries to talk himself into coming out to his parents
Surprise! He’s interrupted by a surprise visit from his parents, who want to help him move into his new place, forcing him to hide any evidence of his boyfriend Manuel
A little push: His zealous dog and some magical trickery help him reveal his sexuality to his parents, who don’t seem as fazed as he expected
The short film is the first Pixar release to feature a gay main character, and it’s also the first time Disney, which owns the studio, has featured an animated gay main character.
However, the streamer’s synopsis avoids using the word ‘gay’ and or even mentioning Greg’s sexuality, and the word is also never uttered in the short, though he does share a kiss with his boyfriend.
Reactions on Twitter to Out were overwhelmingly positive and commended the animation studio for featuring an openly gay character.
Making strides: The short film is the first Pixar release to feature a gay main character, and it’s also the first time Disney, which owns the studio, has featured an animated gay main character
Odd choice: However, the streamer’s synopsis avoids using the word ‘gay’ and or even mentioning Greg’s sexuality, and the word is also never uttered in the short, though he does share a kiss with his boyfriend
It’s a stark contrast to Pixar and Disney’s previous dalliances with LGBTQ characters.
Pixar didn’t release a film with openly gay character until this year’s Onward, which featured Lena Waithe voicing a small part as a purple female cyclops police officer who references having a girlfriend.
The single line resulted in Onward being banned in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
Disney has previously been criticized on social media for what many users saw as half-hearted attempts to introduce LGBTQ characters into its Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Small steps: Lena Waite was featured in a small part in Onward as Pixar’s first openly gay character. Her single line referencing a girlfriend resulted in the film being banned in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia; shown in January
Although Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie from Thor: Ragnarok was intended to be bisexual, and was advertised as such by the filmmakers, a scene revealing the information was cut from the final film.
However, Valkyrie wil reportedly reference her sexuality in the upcoming sequel Thor: Love And Thunder.
Marvel Studio’s first openly gay character didn’t arrive until Avengers: Endgame, and it was only a man referencing having a husband in a small cameo role.
The part was played by co-director Joe Russo, who is straight.
Shut down: Tessa Thompson plays Valkyrie, Marvel’s first openly LGBTQ character, though a line revealing that was cut from Thor: Ragnarok