Pixar debuts short film featuring the studio’s first gay main character

Pixar on Friday released a short film called “Out” that features the studio’s first gay main character.

The film, which was released on Disney+ as part of its SparkShorts series, follows the story of Greg, a gay man who is excited to move in with his boyfriend but is anxious about not being out to his parents.

When his mom and dad arrive on his doorstep to visit his new place, he frantically tries to hide evidence of his relationship with Manuel because he thinks they will not be accepting. 

But after he magically switches bodies with his dog — thanks to help from a pair of fairy god-pets — he learns he has nothing to hide after all.

The latest heartwarming tale from @Pixar’s #SparkShorts. Start streaming Out tomorrow on #DisneyPlus. pic.twitter.com/iHXonwoG8x

— Pixar (@Pixar) May 21, 2020

The short was directed by Steven Clay Hunter, known for animating Pixar films like “Finding Nemo” and “WALL-E.” It was produced by Max Sachar, who worked on “Coco” and “Toy Story 3.”

GLAAD, the national LGBTQ advocacy group, said in a statement the film represents Pixar and parent company Disney’s “legacy as a place for heartwarming stories about finding one’s own inner strength in the face of life’s challenges.”

“The release of ‘Out’ on Disney+ represents a huge step forward for The Walt Disney Company in establishing itself as a welcoming home for stories about all loving couples and families, including LGBTQ ones,”  said Jeremy Blacklow, GLAAD’s director of entertainment media. 

Disney has been slowly working toward more on-screen LGBTQ representation since 2012.

In March, Lena Waithe voiced a cyclops cop named Office Spector in Pixar’s “Onward.” That character makes mention of her girlfriend, the first time an easily identifiable LGBTQ character was included in a Pixar film.

However, several Middle Eastern countries banned screenings of the film as a result.

The “Star Wars” franchise also made history in 2019 when “Rise of Skywalker” included the company’s first same-sex kiss.

There were also brief LGBTQ storylines included in “Avengers: Endgame” and “Beauty and The Beast.”

Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Chapek in March shut down a critic who claimed that the company is losing money because its products “promote LGBT ideology.”

“We believe we want to tell stories that our audience wants to hear that reflects their lives,” Chapek said.