Gay Disney characters: Who might be secretly LGBT?
LGBT+ fans want Elsa to be given a girlfriend. (Disney)
There is a definite lack of gay Disney characters but there have been many hints that characters are LGBT in previous movies.
Disney’s first openly gay character was introduced in the 2017 live-action version of Beauty and the Beast.
But there is yet to be an openly gay main Disney character.
And before Beauty and the Beast’s character LeFou, there were no gay Disney characters at all—at least not openly.
However, out of the hundreds of Disney characters, there has to be some who simply haven’t come out publicly yet.
Which Disney characters are LGBT? Join us as we list beloved characters that might be part of the rainbow family.
Elsa from Frozen
The makers of the Frozen sequel are reportedly considering giving Elsa a female love interest.
The popular Disney movie Frozen strayed away from the traditional romance storyline for the ice queen, instead focusing on her internal journey to self-acceptance.
Fans saw something queer in her and it’s since been heavily rumoured that Elsa is a lesbian with hit song “Let it Go” becoming a coming out anthem.
In an interview with the always-wonderful Tyler Oakley on his Ellen Digital Network show, both Elsa voice actor Idina Menzel and her co-star Kristen Bell, who is the voice actress for sister Anna, spoke about the lesbian theory.
“There’s been speculation on the internet about Elsa potentially being a lesbian. Can you confirm that?” the interviewer asked Bell.
“Whatever Elsa wants to do is up to her and it’s up to us to support her,” Bell replied like a champ.
Then, Menzel was asked who she thinks Elsa would date if she was indeed gay.
And the answer? None other than our Disney favourite, Tinkerbell.
Oaken from Frozen
His family are amazing. (Photo by Disney)
As long as we’re on the subject of the ever-progressive movie Frozen, there’s another character that’s suggested to be gay—Oaken.
He was not a major character by any means but there was a definite moment that many people would’ve missed.
In the film, he says “Hello, family!”, and his family peek out of his sauna… there is an adult man and four children. This is a definite implication that he’s in a same-sex relationship.
Genie from Aladdin
We all need a Genie in our lives. (Disney)
Our beloved flamboyant, gender-bending Genie has to make the list. From his fabulous outfits to bright attitude, he definitely represents the queer within the LGBT community, and we love him.
Terkina from Tarzan
Adorable. (Disney)
The rainbow family will welcome Terkina with open arms. The little gorilla rejects gender roles and has no interest in boys.
If that’s not enough, the character’s also voiced by LGBT icon Rosie O’Donnell.
Ken from Toy Story 3
Ken’s depiction received criticism. (Disney)
The stereotypical character has been assumed to be gay but it was not a well-received archetype. In fact, the US feminist magazine Ms accused the film of “careless sexism,” with writer Natalie Wilson arguing that it may damage children.
She claims that while Barbie is shown as “over emotional” and “hyper-feminine,” her supposed love partner, Ken, is painted as a “closeted gay fashionista” who is constantly teased. Wilson worries that these kinds of depictions will teach children that being female or homosexual is a laughing matter.
Ursula from The Little Mermaid
Ursula is one of Disney’s most iconic villains (Disney)
Iconic The Little Mermaid villain Ursula was based on the appearance of iconic drag queen Divine, right down to her over-exaggerated eye makeup.
She may not be queer, but Ursula is definitely influenced by LGBT culture.
Pleakley from Lilo and Stitch
Pleakly from Lilo and Stitch. (Disney)
Pleakley is a male alien but comes to Earth and uses women’s clothes as a disguise, wearing make-up, hats and dresses… and loves to do it. While he might not technically be LGBT, he could be another drag sensation.
Scar from Lion King
Another rumoured gay Disney character. (Photo by Disney)
Perhaps a surprising one on our list, Scar is one of the star examples of a “coded gay” character, among many viewers. The creators of The Lion King left clues throughout the film that hinted to the villain’s sexuality.
In fact, it’s also rather common for lions to be gay in the animal kingdom.
Jack Whitehall Disney’s first main gay character in The Jungle Cruise
Jack Whitehall attends gala screening of “Free Solo” at BFI Southbank (Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images)
English comic Jack Whitehall is reportedly set to play Disney’s first ever major gay character on the big screen.
Whitehall is set to play the character in The Jungle Cruise, an upcoming Disney movie starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Emily Blunt.
The film is about a boat captain taking two siblings on a mission into the jungle to find a magic tree.
