Online Petition Calls For Boycott Of Disney Film 'Onward' For Having A Gay Character

An online petition was launched on Monday, February 24, 2020 by parents seeking to boycott the upcoming Disney animated film "Onward" for including an openly-gay character.  

"Onward" is the story of teenage elf siblings Ian and Barley (voiced by "Avengers" actors Tom Holland and Chris Pratt) who are on a quest. Using magic, they set out to bring back their father, who had died when they were young, for 24 hours in time for Ian's 16th birthday. Magic, mishaps, and mayhem keep them company on their journey. They also meet other mythical characters along the way, including a female cyclops police officer, Officer Specter, voiced by actress Lena Waithe. 

In one scene, Officer Specter delivers a line that goes, "My girlfriend's daughter got me pulling my hair out," implying she is in a romantic relationship with another woman. 

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The petition on Life Petitions, which so far has 26,782 signatures, makes a case for the inclusion of an LGBTQ character in a Disney film. 

"Animated movies target children as their main audience. But, children and their parents don't watch Disney animation to be indoctrinated by LGBT activists.

"Disney should remain wholesome for kids. And, parents should show their displeasure with Disney for trying to sexualize their children."

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It also includes an open letter to Disney's CEO Robert Allan Iger:

"We, the undersigned, pledge to boycott the new Disney movie, 'Onward,' for sexualizing children with the LGBT agenda.

"Parents are the primary educators of their children, and Disney has no place to interfere with what parents teach their children about sexual mores.

"By forcing the LGBT agenda on us, you are seriously disrespecting our values.

"The days are now over where we would give you our hard-earned dollars just so you can turn around and offend us and our children's innocence.

"Please do not pursue this agenda again in the future."

Disney Pixar, who brought to life many other well-loved animated films like "Cars," "Up," and "Coco," is set to release "Onward" on March 6, 2020. Watch the trailer below:

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