Disney Unveils First Bisexual Lead Character After Years Of Straight Romances
By Mikelle Leow, 17 Aug 2020
Video screenshot via Disney Channel
Disney’s all-straight romances are finally a thing of the past. With the debut of comedic animated fantasy Disney+ series The Owl House, the company slowly introduced its first bisexual lead character, offering more representation to the LGBTQ+ community.
The star Luz Noceda, a 14-year-old Dominican-American girl who aspires to be a witch even though she doesn’t possess any magical abilities, however, either became more certain of her sexuality or remained in the closet for months since the show’s January premiere, before confirming the revelation.
Luz has expressed attraction to male characters in the past, but the last two episodes, Enchanting Grom Fright and Wing It Like Witches, saw her getting closer to Amity, a recurring female character.
The two later dance together at ‘Grom’, the fantasy television series’ version of prom.
Luz is Disney’s first bisexual lead role, but she isn’t the first character depicted to be from the LGBTQ+ community. There was Disney+ and Pixar’s Out featuring an openly gay lead character, Pixar’s clumsy interpretation of a lesbian in the 2020 film Onward, and, of course, LeFou and his romantic affections for Gaston in the live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast.
The show’s creator Dana Terrace revealed that the longstanding entertainment conglomerate had its reservations about introducing an LGBTQ+ character in The Owl House, though. She recently opened up on Twitter, “I was very open about my intention to put queer kids in the main cast. I’m a horrible liar so sneaking it in would’ve been hard. When we were greenlit I was told by certain Disney leadership that I could NOT represent any form of bi or gay relationship on the channel.”
Terrace, who identifies as bisexual herself, thanked her “stubbornness” as well as supportive executives for finally convincing Disney into welcoming more LGBTQ+ representation in the show.
“Now I am very supported by current Disney leadership,” she added.
The move was applauded by viewers, who said they wish The Owl House existed when they were younger.
It also got the stamp of approval by Alex Hirsch, the maker of Disney animated mystery comedy series’ Gravity Falls. Hirsch said Disney leadership rejected his request to include LGBTQ+ elements in his show.
“Apparently ‘happiest place on earth’ meant ‘straightest,’” he responded. “Thanks to Dana Terrace and team, there are explicitly queer animated main characters on Disney TV. This time, Disney, you did good.”
In dev I was very open about my intention to put queer kids in the main cast. I'm a horrible liar so sneaking it in would've been hard haha. When we were greenlit I was told by certain Disney leadership that I could NOT represent any form of bi or gay relationship on the Channel.
— Dana Terrace (@DanaTerrace) August 9, 2020
Representation matters! Always fight to make what YOU want to see! As OH continues I can't wait to explore things that are important to me and my crew. Looking forward to the next chapter. 🦉💕
— Dana Terrace (@DanaTerrace) August 9, 2020
...Which is next week in WING IT LIKE WITCHES!
Thank you for watching! #TheOwlHouse pic.twitter.com/U8PHHT2g91
you are amazing! I'm so glad you are doing this show with actual good representation in a channel like Disney! I wish that I could see this when I was a little queer child... thank you so so so so much, this is so important to the community! ❤️
— ɴɪᴄ #ᴡʜᴇʀᴇɪsᴇᴠᴇ (@villanelleastan) August 9, 2020
Back when I made GF Disney FORBADE me from any explicit LGBTQ+ rep. Apparently “happiest place on earth” meant “straightest” But as of today, thanks to @DanaTerrace & team there are explicitly queer ANIMATED MAIN CHARACTERS on DISNEY TV. Im so proud & happy to say that #OwlHouse https://t.co/AlxUlbcy5j
— Alex Hirsch (@_AlexHirsch) August 9, 2020
[via CNN, cover image via Disney Channel]