Gunderson Defends LGBTQ Representation Amid Criticism from Snoop Dogg

Lauren Gunderson, one of the writers at Pixar, recently spoke out about the backlash surrounding a same-sex kiss scene in a Disney movie, responding specifically to comments made by rapper Snoop Dogg.

In an interview, Snoop Dogg expressed his discomfort with LGBTQ themes in children’s content on the podcast, “It’s Giving.” He reflected on a Disney film he viewed and mentioned feeling ill at ease watching a same-sex kiss between two women paired with his grandson. “I didn’t expect this at all. I just came to see a movie,” he shared. “It kind of threw me off. Now I’m hesitant about going to the movies. What do I say to him?”

He also raised concerns about whether it’s appropriate for children to witness such scenes, suggesting they would inevitably ask questions he’s unprepared to answer.

In a recent Instagram post, Gunderson revealed her involvement in creating the on-screen couple. “I wrote about a lesbian couple in 2018 during my time at Pixar,” she noted. “It felt natural in my story to write ‘her’ instead of ‘him,’ which really speaks to inclusivity. The impact of such details is significant. I was thrilled to see it included and I take immense pride in it. Love is love.”

Though her original script may have changed, she felt proud to see a “Happy Couple” depicted on screen, even if briefly. “The essence of our work often evolves, but I’m glad that element made it to the final cut,” she stated.

Gunderson emphasized that the film is, at its core, fantasy—filled with adventurous themes and characters. However, the box office performance of the movie in 2022 was disappointing, making only $50 million in its opening weekend, a clear indication of wider challenges that Disney has faced recently.

Some have labeled Snoop Dogg’s comments as homophobic, while others defended his perspective. Co-hosts from the “Breakfast Club” supported his concerns, with remarks about not wanting to expose young children to discussions surrounding relationships or sexuality, regardless of orientation, during family-friendly entertainment.

They echoed a sentiment of wanting to enjoy a movie simply without diving into complex topics, reinforcing the idea that, for some, these discussions might not feel appropriate while watching light-hearted films aimed at children.