{"id":1506169,"date":"2022-06-07T08:21:36","date_gmt":"2022-06-07T12:21:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1506169"},"modified":"2022-06-07T08:22:23","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T12:22:23","slug":"disney-doubles-down-on-lgbtq-programming-with-lightyear-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/disney-doubles-down-on-lgbtq-programming-with-lightyear-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Disney Doubles Down On LGBTQ Programming With \u2018Lightyear\u2019 And More"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdisney-doubles-down-on-lgbtq-programming-with-lightyear-and-more%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=1506169&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/Light-e1654189357789.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\" alt=\"image\" \/><\/div>\n<p>Disney is going all-out in joining leftists\u2019 June celebration of Pride Month, making same-sex themes central to a new \u201cToy Story\u201d feature film spin-off and adding more than 100 hours of LGBTQ titles to family-targeted streamer Disney Plus.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After advance screenings, critics say animated space adventure \u201cLightyear\u201d \u2014 opening in theaters on June 17 \u2014 \u201ctakes queer representation to infinity and beyond,\u201d to quote <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/story\/entertainment\/movies\/2022\/04\/27\/lightyear-disney-pixar-queer-character-same-sex-kiss-toy-story\/9556591002\/\">USA Today<\/a>, highlighting that a lesbian couple \u201cat one point [greets] each other with a kiss on the lips.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Following backlash over Disney creative executives <a href=\"https:\/\/news.yahoo.com\/poll-68-percent-americans-less-211429571.html\">discussing their ongoing efforts<\/a> at \u201cqueering\u201d children\u2019s entertainment, it seems Disney has decided to dismiss the concerns of many conservative parents. That collective shrug in Hollywood could be missing the big picture. A Harris Poll released in late May ranking the nation\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/theharrispoll.com\/partners\/media\/axios-harrispoll-100\/\">Top 100 brands<\/a> found that The Walt Disney Company dropped from 37th to 65th place in reputation just since last year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDisney\u2019s about-face shows the reputational hit that comes when the public perceives you as being calculating rather than clear in what you believe in and stand for,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.axios.com\/2022\/05\/24\/axios-harris-poll-100-corporate-brands-politics\">said<\/a> Harris Poll CEO John Gerzema. Disney also recently reported <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2022\/05\/16\/these-dozen-disney-plus-alternatives-offer-families-options-but-is-it-enough\/\">less-than-stellar<\/a> streaming subscription growth.<\/p>\n<p>Entertainment critic for faith-based outlet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.crosswalk.com\/author\/michael-foust\/\">Crosswalk<\/a> Michael Foust says the clash of cultural mores between Hollywood and faith-driven families has been building for years. \u201cDisney does not operate from a biblical worldview, so it is no surprise that it keeps offering content that frustrates many in the faith community,\u201d he stated via email.<\/p>\n<p> Melissa Jacobs and her husband, Jeremy, raising seven children in St. Louis, canceled Disney Plus this spring. While the family has enjoyed shows like \u201cBluey,\u201d along with Star Wars and Marvel films, she stated that \u201cthe direction Disney was leaning\u201d prompted their decision.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany of their programs no longer have a traditional family and instead highlight and celebrate queer, transgender, and homosexual characters,\u201d she stated. \u201cIn many shows, kids are openly disrespectful to their parents. It\u2019s all contrary to what we are trying to teach our children.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Christians Object to Plot Twist in \u2018Toy Story\u2019 Franchise<\/h2>\n<p>The first Pixar production to hit theaters in more than two years, \u201cLightyear\u201d is tied loosely to beloved \u201cToy Story\u201d films. It\u2019s billed as young Andy\u2019s favorite movie, the one that compelled him to cast aside his cowboy Woody in the original 1995 film.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Reading between the lines of some critics\u2019 effusive praise, families get the plot\u2019s general drift.\u00a0Sent on a peacekeeping mission, space ranger Buzz and his co-pilot Alisha face off against aliens on a strange planet. When subsequent damage to their ship maroons them for years, stranded Alisha meets a female romantic interest and the two \u201cstart a family together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For the Jacobs family, fans of past \u201cToy Story\u201d films, \u201cLightyear\u201d won\u2019t be a summer outing to the multiplex. The mother of seven is author of \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.themelissajacobs.com\/store\/\">Livin\u2019 the Dream<\/a>,\u201d which includes their story of adopting a daughter. She says the Bible guides their views on sex, marriage, and family.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs a mom, I can see clearly that there are needs my children have that only I can fill,\u201d stated Melissa. \u201cMeanwhile, there are needs they have that only their dad can fill.\u201d She added that single-parent friends of their family \u201cseek out support\u201d so their kids have \u201cboth a mother-type figure and father-type figure\u201d involved in their lives.<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, Foust, who is raising four kids with his wife in rural Illinois, observed cultural trends run counter to Chrisitan theology on marriage and sexuality. \u201cHollywood may consider us strange for even questioning the content of \u2018Lightyear,\u2019 but that shouldn\u2019t surprise us,\u201d said Foust. \u201cAfter all, 2,000 years ago the Apostle Peter reminded us that we are \u2018strangers\u2019 and \u2018temporary residents\u2019 in this world.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Two of the filmmakers behind \u201cLightyear\u201d \u2014 director Angus MacLane and producer Galyn Susman \u2014 are \u201cToy Story\u201d franchise veterans <a href=\"https:\/\/www.looper.com\/839422\/lightyears-angus-maclane-and-galyn-susman-on-lgbtq-representation-and-nostalgia-exclusive-interview\/\">who say<\/a> they\u2019re eager to make something \u201cexciting and awesome.\u201d MacLane says they didn\u2019t want the LGBTQ plotline to be \u201ca superfluous thing\u201d but an \u201caccurate representation.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>If anyone is puzzled by this being the flick supposedly referenced in 1995\u2019s \u201cToy Story,\u201d while reflecting cultural mores far left of the mainstream in that era, producer Susman <a href=\"https:\/\/www.denofgeek.com\/movies\/lightyear-why-buzz-needed-a-new-voice-look\/\">explained<\/a>: \u201cThough it\u2019s the film Andy saw, we were still making it for today\u2019s generation.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Promoting Alternative Lifestyles to Children<\/h2>\n<p>Will many families forgo a much-hyped movie featuring favorite spaceman Buzz? For those who are Disney Plus subscribers, it\u2019s merely the start of new additions to navigate during Pride Month.<\/p>\n<p>In June, six seasons of \u201cGlee,\u201d three seasons of \u201cLove, Victor,\u201d and LGBTQ-themed \u201cTrevor: The Musical\u201d will be added to the streamer\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.disneyplus.com\/editorial\/pride\">Pride Collection<\/a>. (Last year, Pixar\u2019s short \u201cOut\u201d with similar themes <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Pixar\/status\/1402012106904457220\">premiered<\/a>.) Such a deluge of titles involving same-sex romance among minors could prompt some to readjust parental controls or bail on Disney Plus altogether.<\/p>\n<p>Foust, an evangelical Christian, says believers uphold the dignity and worth of every person. It\u2019s praising sin to children that is problematic. \u201cWe are to love our neighbors unconditionally \u2014 while not being conformed to this world by the entertainment we consume,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n<h2>No Christians Wanted<\/h2>\n<p>Disney\u2019s leftist drift seems to be accelerating. As part of an initiative called <a href=\"https:\/\/reimaginetomorrow.disney.com\/\">Reimagine Tomorrow<\/a>, Disney outlines its association with LGBTQ advocacy groups like GLAAD. Reporting on this initiative, the Los Angeles Times <a href=\"https:\/\/www.latimes.com\/entertainment-arts\/business\/story\/2022-03-22\/walt-disney-co-employee-walkout\">linked to<\/a> a letter by current Disney employees who have chosen to remain anonymous.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs much as diversity and inclusion are promoted, the tomorrow being reimagined doesn\u2019t seem to have much room for religious or political conservatives within the company,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSdueiXmPfww_2iQttbvfxTIcC7i-JOq5awsHNI2Q6XW46UT7Q\/viewform\">state<\/a> these Disney cast members. \u201cThis politicization of our corporate culture is damaging morale and causing many of us to feel our days with [Disney] might be numbered.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Several players in family entertainment, such as Angel Studios and GAC Family, are <a href=\"https:\/\/thefederalist.com\/2022\/05\/16\/these-dozen-disney-plus-alternatives-offer-families-options-but-is-it-enough\/\">working to produce and distribute<\/a> films and shows that appeal to families who object to Disney\u2019s direction.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This all reflects how entertainment continues to splinter to reach varied audiences, said Foust. \u201cMore and more, it is obvious that if the faith community wants entertainment framed within a biblical worldview, the faith community alone must produce it.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n<p>\n  Josh Shepherd covers culture, faith, and public policy for several media outlets including The Stream. His articles have appeared in Christianity Today, Religion &#038; Politics, Faithfully Magazine, Religion News Service, and Providence Magazine. A graduate of the University of Colorado, he previously worked on staff at The Heritage Foundation and Focus on the Family. Josh and his wife live in the Washington, D.C. area with their two children.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Disney is going all-out in joining leftists\u2019 June celebration of Pride Month, making same-sex themes central to a new \u201cToy Story\u201d feature film spin-off and adding more than 100 hours<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":626,"featured_media":2315279,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1506169","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1506169","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/626"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1506169"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1506169\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315279"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1506169"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1506169"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1506169"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}