A third of Brits would be uncomfortable with a gay Disney princess, survey finds
LGBT+ fans want Elsa to be given a girlfriend. (Disney)
Disney has faced criticism for a lack of diversity and despite introducing its first gay character in the 2017 live-action version of Beauty and the Beast, there has never been a gay Disney princess.
New research by YouGov has found that one third of Brits – 34 percent – would be uncomfortable with a homosexual Disney princess, however.
The survey revealed different attitudes between age groups, with 67 percent of those polled aged 18 to 24 saying they felt comfortable with the idea of a gay princess, compared to 25 per cent of those aged 65 or older.
The research showed almost half of Brits – 49 percent – were comfortable with such a move, while 17 per cent said they did not know.
Nearly half of people polled – 53 percent – said they would like to see a feminist princess.
Moana is Disney’s first Polynesian princess
After criticism of only featuring white princesses in its starring roles, Disney has introduced more diverse characters such as Moana and Tiana, who stars in The Princess and the Frog.
Despite this, though, all leading Disney characters are young, single and slim.
The survey found 60 percent of Brits would be comfortable with a Disney princess being in her forties or older – and 70 percent said the same with the idea of a princess who is also a parent.
Only 52 percent said they would be comfortable with a princess who was overweight.
Whether Disney princesses are good or bad role models is often debated, particularly because the films are aimed at young, impressionable children.
Two-third of Brits say it is important for Disney princesses to be good role models and of those who have seen the princess’s respective films, 72 percent said Moana was a good role model, compared to 68 percent for Mulan and 66 percent for Merida.
Mulan is seen as a good role model for children (Disney)
Whether or not Disney introduces a gay Disney princess remains to be seen, as so far, all the films have featured heterosexual relationships and binary gender identities.
This could change, however, with Jennifer Lee – the write and co-director of the Frozen sequel – reportedly considering making Elsa officially a gay character by giving her a female love interest.
To some fans, Elsa is already seen as an LGBT icon as she struggles to accept her identity until the end of the film.
Although nothing is confirmed yet, Lee has said it is something the team are considering.
“Where we’re going with it, we have tons of conversations about it, and we’re really conscientious about these things,” she told the Huffington Post.
“I always write from character-out, and where Elsa is and what Elsa’s doing in her life, she’s telling me every day. We’ll see where we go,” she added.
Last year, the directors of Moana said Disney would be “open” to the idea of a gay Disney princess.
