Exploring the Impact of Queer Coding in Disney Villains

Did you notice the queer coding in Disney Villains?

Join us as we explore the often overlooked and problematic representation of LGBTQ+ characters in Disney films. We dive into the "queer coded villain" trope and how it has been used to perpetuate harmful stereotypes. This video is a must-watch for anyone who loves Disney movies and wants to understand the impact of media representation on marginalized communities. We encourage you to embrace your love for these beloved films while also being critical of the messages they may be sending. Let's start the conversation about LGBTQ+ representation in media and work towards a brighter and more inclusive future.

📕 *TABLE OF CONTENTS* 📕
00:00 Introduction
01:01 What is Queer Coding?
02:56 Disney's Influence In the Media
05:17 Perpetuating Harmful Stereotypes
06:56 Examples of Queer Coding
12:24 Striving For Better LGBTQ+ Representation.
13:52 Conclusion

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Disney and Disability: Media Representations of Disability in Disney and

🌈 Connect With Us

📱 Subscribe & Watch Here

YT: @ClosetedHistory

/ / Some of Our Faves

/ / About Us 🌈

My name is Destiny (she/they) and I am the creator behind the podcast. Educator, creative, and fellow LG(B)T(Q)+ community member. Nice to meet you!

Disclaimer: Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something, we’ll receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and supports our channel 💖

MUSIC

Copyright Disclaimer under section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, education and research. All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners and this channel does not claim any right over them.

[stephenblack]

Ursula is literally based on Drag Queens. So, she's definitely queer, whether it's confirmed or not. Hades also makes my gaydar go insane.

[QualityCulture]

Seems like Disney's current strategy for queer "representation" is to slip in a few seconds of a background couple holding hands/hugging, or only mentioning characters' sexuality in passing (just enough so they'll still be able to censor it for certain international audiences, of course). If we're looking for meaningful queer rep I don't think we're gonna find it in Disney any time soon :/

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the queer relationships in The Last of Us! It's been so refreshing and touching to see, especially in such a mainstream property. -Stef.

[computerblue]

I always said that Malificent was based off of classic queer camp icon Norma Desmond played by Gloria Swanson in the film Sunset Boulevard and I will DIE on this hill of thorns/poisonous spindle.
13:30 As well as Steven Universe, there’s also the Cartoon Network children’s show Craig of the Creek which has one of the main kids as a son of two fathers and it’s so lovely and cute

[titulaveau]

Ursula is my all time favorite!! However, Disney really does need to do better!!

[analiasaavedra]

Honestly I never notices scar being queer coded or the evil queen until you pointed it out. I always thought she was just a strong woman that was seen as a Villain

[ArcherdaNerd]

So that's why i get gender envy from them..

[SeasideDetective]

Accusing Classic Hollywood - or, more accurately, the moralists who applied pressure to Classic Hollywood - of "queer-coding" seems inconsistent to me. Remember, such people didn't simply want gay and queer people to "know their place"; they wanted gays and queers to never have existed in the first place. How can you possibly expect to deny the existence of queerness when you're constantly insinuating it? You can't simultaneously be homophobic on the one hand and completely ignorant of homosexuality on the other. Arguing that the Wicked Queen from SNOW WHITE is a coded lesbian, for example, is a bit of a stretch. It's far more likely that the character was modeled on Hollywood actresses who just happened to be queer in real life, such as Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich. It was the subtext that colored the portrayal, not the animators' design.

And scapegoating Disney diverts attention from the real problem. Of course children are influenced by the entertainment media they consume; that's why they should not be allowed to consume so much of it in the first place! Disney cartoons were never intended as a substitute for real-world parenting, so parents who bring up homophobic children really only have themselves to blame.

[hurricanemegan]

I didn't give this a thought because I'm not part of that community.