Disney's Love, Simon Spinoff By: Brooke McBee

For centuries, the LGBTQ+ community has been denied basic rights, privileges, and respect. As the world slowly grows accustomed to the innocent love blossoming within its walls, the media’s representation of it does too. There are more LGBTQ+ characters featured in television shows now than there ever has been, but some programs are still hesitant to water the sprouting flowers. Disney is one of the most prominent companies out there as it has shaped endless amounts of lives and continues to do so. With societal changes being made, Disney has been pushed to follow. They have even broken longstanding history records with their first ever character to utter the word “gay” on screen just earlier this year—late, but better than never. Most recently, however, they have officially announced a spinoff to one of the most successful romantic comedies of 2018, Love, Simon, which had a strong LGBTQ+ centered plot. 

Some students, such as sophomore Abbigayle Mouchakkaa, think that “it is a huge step for Disney and the LGBTQ+ community. If it is done effectively, it could help an immense amount of people, kids especially. It’s important that minorities are normalized and no longer excluded as they have been for an excruciating amount of years.” Vanessa Wong agrees, labeling this as Disney’s “chance to change its prejudicial behavior to more welcoming and inclusive. It will allow kids to actually see themselves on television and take pride in who they are,” instead of hiding in closets barricaded by the walls of other people’s discrimination.

However, the hope people have for Disney’s new series is accompanied by a great number of worries. “Love, Simon was an outstanding film for many people and a spinoff made by Disney just may not be able to do it justice, especially since it won’t even be following the books. As much as I want to have faith in Disney, I can’t help but worry they may be queerbaiting. If they’re going to make a new series based off a movie that positively impacted so many people, they’re going to have to really commit in order to honor it. This isn’t something they can do halfway.”, Atallia Stewart, a tenth grader, expresses. 

Though it is clear people are rooting for success in this new series, it is not unaccompanied by predictions of failure. Disney may be realizing that they have to keep up with the times in order for people to keep up with them, but it is unclear if it is too late. People are left to wonder if Disney really is opening its doors to a brighter and better future or if they are simply unlocking them.