The Disney Channel is debuting its first bisexual lead character. While it’s not the company’s first LGBTQ+ character, this marks the channel’s first bisexual lead character on a television series.
The character, 14-year-old Dominican-American girl, Luz Noceda, will be featured on “The Owl House” series. The show follows Luz’s adventures in becoming a witch.
The series’ creator, Dana Terrace, opened up about how “certain Disney leadership” did not like the idea at first. However, Terrace says current leadership fully supports her.
“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,” she says in a tweet. “I was told by certain Disney leadership that I could not represent any form of bi or gay relationship on the channel.”
In her series of tweets, Terrace identifies as bisexual. “I’m bi! I want to write a bi character, dammit! Luckily my stubbornness paid off, and now I am very supported by current Disney leadership,” she writes.
“The Owl House” sees Sarah-Nicole Robles voicing the titular character as Wendie Malick. The cast also includes Alex Hirsch, Tati Gabrielle, Isaac Ryan Brown, and Mae Whitman.
Hirsch, who created Disney Channel’s “Gravity Falls,” recalls negatives experiences with trying to pitch a LGTBQ+ character for Disney in the past. “Back when I made GF Disney FORBADE me from any explicit LGBTQ+ rep. Apparently ‘happiest place on earth’ meant ‘straightest,'” Hirsch tweeted. However, he continued by praising the company writing, “Props where props are due! This time, Disney- you did good.”
Disney’s first gay kiss took place on the animated series, “Star vs. the Forces of Evil.” Furthermore, in May, Pixar released a short film on Disney+ featuring the first gay main character.
“The Owl House” airs on Saturdays at 8:45 p.m. ET on Disney Channel.
[H/T CNN]
