Disney’s new series Win or Lose is drawing some criticism lately for seeming to wipe out the transgender identity storyline of the primary character.
The last two episodes of Pixar’s first-ever episodic streaming series Win or Lose on Disney+ clearly reveal the streamer changing the plot in the last shows.
Disney clearly decided to cut a trans plotline from the show, which finally put the media company under severe fire. The eighth episode of Win or Lose, called I Got It, focused on the story of transgender character Kai (Chanel Stewart), but with gender references removed from the narrative. Disney was in hot debate last month after cutting the transgender character plot of the show.
Along with former Pixar staff members coming out against Disney’s last month’s decision, backlash followed.
The alterations Disney made to the show should theoretically have made it almost hard to find a trans character being represented.
Actually, the episode I Got It seems to be an inspirational story of acceptance since of the outrage resulting from the media conglomerate axing Kai’s gender references.
At least to everyone conscious of the debate. Kai one year before the title of The Pickles, her little league baseball team, in Episode 7
Originally a sulky, hooded young kid whose gender identity isn’t obvious despite being shown hiding images of herself looking like a boy in her grandma’s house.
Kai lowers her hood to show close-cut dreadlocks when she joins the Pickles and feels her softball team has unreservedly welcomed her. Then, over a quick montage scene, Kai’s fears are transformed into a feminine haircut.
Apart from Kai’s physical transformation following what she calls as a “co-ed” squad, together with her connection with her sports-obsessed dad exposes the path to gender discovery she is on.
Traditionally considered as a guy sport, baseball is what Kai’s father, James (Lil Rel Howery), wants daughter to play instead of softball.
Though first saddened, Kai underlines how much he loves her just the same as he tells him the news.
Apart from Kai’s hair growing, Win or Lose’s change from baseball-t0-softball is symbolic for transgender liberation and self-expression.
Many believed that Disney was “disrespectful” to the young people by cutting the conversation from the show about Kai’s gender identification.
“Removing a storyline about a transgender character speaks to the total disrespect for kids’ ability to understand and insults their intelligence,” Screen Rant reviewer Ferdosa Abdi remarked.