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Finding Dory’s lesbian characters are only a big deal when it's not a big deal Finding Dory’s lesbian characters are only a big deal when it's not a big deal
(10 days later)
Name: Dory.Name: Dory.
Appearance: Blue with yellow fins.Appearance: Blue with yellow fins.
Age: She’s forgotten.Age: She’s forgotten.
Voiced by: Ellen DeGeneres.Voiced by: Ellen DeGeneres.
Hang on, is this that fish from that film? It is! Or that fish from those films, to be exact. Because Dory, the loveably forgetful Pacific regal blue tang in Finding Nemo, is now the central character of a forthcoming sequel, Finding Dory.Hang on, is this that fish from that film? It is! Or that fish from those films, to be exact. Because Dory, the loveably forgetful Pacific regal blue tang in Finding Nemo, is now the central character of a forthcoming sequel, Finding Dory.
This is very exciting. Finding Nemo was great! Yes, and in fact quite a lot of people are super-extra-excited by the trailer, because they think it shows a gay couple, which would be a first for Disney or Pixar film.This is very exciting. Finding Nemo was great! Yes, and in fact quite a lot of people are super-extra-excited by the trailer, because they think it shows a gay couple, which would be a first for Disney or Pixar film.
Why do they think this? There’s an extremely brief shot of two women returning a bottle to an octopus in a buggy. One of the women has fairly short hair.Why do they think this? There’s an extremely brief shot of two women returning a bottle to an octopus in a buggy. One of the women has fairly short hair.
Um… Is that conclusive? No. But it would be a big deal if it was conclusive because usually gay characters are gay only codedly, like it’s something to be ashamed of.Um… Is that conclusive? No. But it would be a big deal if it was conclusive because usually gay characters are gay only codedly, like it’s something to be ashamed of.
I see. Like the seven dwarfs? I don’t think they were codedly gay in fact. Anyway, the big moment will come when it’s no big deal.I see. Like the seven dwarfs? I don’t think they were codedly gay in fact. Anyway, the big moment will come when it’s no big deal.
Unlike now? Yes.Unlike now? Yes.
But if no one’s seen the film yet, how do we know that the women are clearly gay? Maybe they’re just friends? Maybe they’re on their way to an anti-gay rally? Yes, there is quite a lot we don’t know about these probably fleeting and, in any case, fictional characters. Although it would make a kind of sense them being gay, since Degeneres herself played such a big role in the gay rights story. But if no one’s seen the film yet, how do we know that the women are clearly gay? Maybe they’re just friends? Maybe they’re on their way to an anti-gay rally? Yes, there is quite a lot we don’t know about these probably fleeting and, in any case, fictional characters. Although it would make a kind of sense them being gay, since DeGeneres herself played such a big role in the gay rights story.
I suppose. And the excitement about it is a sign of the hunger out there to continue gay people’s journey into the mainstream by including them in kids’ films. Hence the campaign to #GiveElsaAGirlfriend in the new Frozen movie, which Idina Menzel, who played Elsa, now supports.I suppose. And the excitement about it is a sign of the hunger out there to continue gay people’s journey into the mainstream by including them in kids’ films. Hence the campaign to #GiveElsaAGirlfriend in the new Frozen movie, which Idina Menzel, who played Elsa, now supports.
Blimey. What if the writers agree, but want to choose their own political statements? Or make none at all? Not making a political statement is itself a political statement.Blimey. What if the writers agree, but want to choose their own political statements? Or make none at all? Not making a political statement is itself a political statement.
Even in a film about fish? You’re being icthyonormative again.Even in a film about fish? You’re being icthyonormative again.
Do say: “Wait, wasn’t Ken in Toy Story 3 gay?”Do say: “Wait, wasn’t Ken in Toy Story 3 gay?”
Don’t say: “He’s more of a mixture of bisexual and homophobic.”Don’t say: “He’s more of a mixture of bisexual and homophobic.”