Disney has decided to withhold an episode of the animated series “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” that includes a trans character, sparking reactions from both artists and fans. The episode, titled “The Gatekeeper”, features a trans character named Brooklyn and has been leaked online, disappointing the show’s creators and followers. It will not be aired due to its LGBTQ themes.
In the episode’s storyline, Brooklyn, voiced by the well-known actress Indya Moore from the series “Pose”, faces discrimination during a volleyball match while openly discussing their identity. The character wears Pride-themed knee pads and a sticker with the message “Trans is Beautiful”, highlighting their support for the LGBTQ community.
This decision by Disney has triggered strong backlash within the artistic community. Derrick Malik Johnson, part of the creative team, expressed his deep disappointment in a post that was later deleted. Other artists, such as Emmy Cicirega from “Gravity Falls” and Matt Braly of “Amphibia”, accused Disney of cowardice and inconsistency.
Although rumors suggested this move was influenced by the political climate, particularly following Donald Trump’s election victory, Disney sources told Polygon that the decision was made over a year ago. According to Disney, the episode is not banned but remains on hold, emphasizing the importance of parent-child discussions on such issues.
The series, based on Marvel characters, premiered in 2023 and won five Emmy awards. Despite its success, it was canceled after two seasons. However, some unreleased episodes are expected to air in 2025.