Pixar’s Win or Lose was supposed to be a win for LGBTQ+ representation. The animated series, released on Disney+ last month, originally featured a trans girl as a character—until Disney mysteriously cut that storyline before its debut. Now, instead of groundbreaking trans visibility, the show introduces Laurie, a Christian character who prays before her softball games. Because, apparently, that’s the representation Disney thinks is more palatable.
The change didn’t go unnoticed. WDW News Today reports that Win or Lose includes “Disney’s first openly Christian character since Bridge to Terabithia (2007),” while The Hollywood Reporter previously revealed that the trans storyline had been scrapped in December 2024. If this feels like a strategic swap, well—you’re not alone.
Chanel Stewart, the 17-year-old trans actress originally cast to voice the character, shared her heartbreak over the decision. “I wore it as a badge. I wore it with pride. I wore it with honor because it meant so much to me,” she told Deadline. “The thought of authentically portraying a transgender teenage girl made me really happy. I wanted to make this for transgender kids like me.”
Instead, Win or Lose now features a scene where Laurie, the daughter of the team’s coach, prays for strength before a game. A cut-out angel hangs in her bedroom, and she grapples with doubt but reaffirms her faith. If that sounds like a safe, market-friendly storyline for Middle America, well—Disney’s track record of playing it safe speaks for itself.
A Disney spokesperson defended the move, stating: “When it comes to animated content for a younger audience, we recognize that many parents would prefer to discuss certain subjects with their children on their own terms and timeline.” A familiar excuse, considering Disney’s past habit of quietly shelving LGBTQ+ content before it can stir up controversy.
For the LGBTQ+ community, this erasure is exhausting but not surprising. Once again, queer and trans kids are given the message that their stories are too much for mainstream audiences—while faith-based narratives get the green light. With Win or Lose, Disney seems to be reminding us whose stories it’s willing to tell.