Marvel Show’s Transgender Storyline Shelved: Disney Responds to Allegations

Marvel Studios reportedly decided to shelve an episode featuring a transgender storyline, sparking debate about the studio’s commitment to LGBTQ+ representation.

Marvel’s Evolving LGBTQ+ Representation

Marvel has made strides in increasing LGBTQ+ representation over the years. From the first openly gay moment in Avengers: Endgame (2019) to the kiss between Aubrey Plaza’s character Rio Vidal and Agatha Harkness in Agatha All Along, Marvel has been working to showcase more inclusive stories. The latter project was even hailed by Out magazine as “the MCU’s gayest project ever.”

Credit: Marvel

Despite these advancements, the alleged shelving of a transgender-focused episode signals potential setbacks. Artists involved in one Marvel series claim that Marvel pulled the episode due to political factors in light of the recent victory of President-elect Donald Trump.

However, Disney sources deny this. Speaking to Polygon, they claim the decision was made over a year ago and not influenced by the results of recent U.S. elections. They added the decision was based on “this specific episode, not because of the character being trans.” They also added that the episode is not necessarily “banned” but simply being “held.

Marvel Scraps Episode

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur debuted in February 2023 on Disney Channel and Disney+, with its second and final season set to air in 2025. The fate of the shelved episode remains uncertain, but its absence has reignited conversations about Marvel’s commitment to diverse storytelling.

Credit: Marvel

The episode in question, part of Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, follows a trans character named Brooklyn, voiced by Indya Moore. In the storyline, Brooklyn serves as the captain of a girls’ volleyball team until her participation is challenged by Greer (voiced by Amy Sedaris), a coach from another school who learns Brooklyn previously played on a boys’ team. The episode reportedly includes trans and queer pride flags and promotes the importance of inclusion and respect.

According to The Verge, which accessed a leaked version, the episode is “uplifting” and meant to emphasize the value of acceptance. While Disney stated the episode is not “banned” but “held,” the timing of the shelving has led to questions about whether political pressures played a role.

Broader Implications for Disney

The controversy arises as Disney faces increased scrutiny over its messaging and representation. Some speculate that the recent U.S. election, which brought a Republican leadership critical of so-called “woke” policies, might have influenced Disney’s direction. Former President Donald Trump, who has previously criticized Disney for its progressive stances, could impact the company’s strategies if his administration targets corporations promoting diversity.

Credit: Marvel

Disney has also resumed advertising on X (formerly Twitter), a platform owned by Elon Musk, who is expected to play a significant role in Trump’s administration. These moves, along with Disney CEO Bob Iger’s acknowledgment that some content may have been overly “message-focused,” suggest the company could be re-evaluating its approach.

This is despite Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige long championing inclusivity, even reportedly risking his position to advocate for diverse stories. As per Mark Ruffalo, around the time that The Avengers (2012) was in production, “Kevin wanted black superheroes, women superheroes, LGBT superheroes. He changed the whole Marvel universe.”

Despite these goals, last year, it was reported that Marvel had also cut a storyline from The Marvels (2023) that revealed that Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) was in a lesbian relationship.