Disney's (Actual) First Gay Character

Finally getting to the bottom of just WHO Disney's first gay character is. If anyone is qualified to choose, it's Tumblr. This is a poll-based blog inspired by the current trend of bracketed polls on Tumblr.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

It’s time to decide once and for all...

If anyone can figure out just who Disney’s first gay character is, it’s Tumblr. We’ve carefully assembled a list of 28 characters that are either canonly queer or overwhelmingly read as queer (yes, that includes the controversial and problematic ones) - it’s up to you all to decide which one deserves the title of Disney’s First Gay Character!

Inspired by: @sexymanotd @sexywomanotd​ @nonbiney-swag-competition @autismswagsummit​

Obligatory tag: @competition-list​

Character Criteria

In order to prevent this list from being unfathomably long, some parameters had to be put in place, so if your favorite queer Disney character is missing from the list, it may just be because they didn’t meet the criteria for this particular tournament. Don’t worry, though, because we have a few more tournaments in mind!

 • Theatrically-released films and shorts only (Sorry DTVA fans - but we are planning to have a Disney Television Animation specific tournament later!)

 • Animation only

 • Source material must be PRODUCED (not just distributed) by Disney

 • Characters must be significant (no background character kisses or hand-holding, however controversial those may be)

 • Any non-heterosexual/heteroromantic orientation is considered (this tournament uses “gay” as an umbrella term)

 • Characters that are read as queer specifically because of how they relate to another character are put together as one entry, both to save space and to avoid the redundancy of pitting them against one another

Voting

All polls will be available for the maximum time allowed by Tumblr (currently one week).

We ask that everyone be polite - no character bashing or hostility towards other voters - keep things fair, and have fun! Don’t take this too seriously, just enjoy it :)

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

Congratulations to José Carioca & Panchito Pistoles! You are Disney's Actual First Gay Character(s) according to Tumblr!!

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

FINAL ROUND - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

José Carioca & Panchito Pistoles (Three Caballeros)

Li Shang & Fa Mulan/Ping (Mulan)

Dr. Jumba & Agent Pleakley (Lilo and Stitch)

Voting ended onFeb 22, 2024

A showdown among the couples, apparently.

José Carioca & Panchito Pistoles from The Three Caballeros (1944)

Do Not Separate: These two are rarely seen without one another, due to the fact that they are two-parts of a trio, leading fans to interpret them as a couple.

It’s Fanon: Due to the line “We’re three caballeros, three gay caballeros”, many fans, despite the evolution of the term “gay”, have elected to ship all three caballeros together.

VS

Li Shang & Fa Mulan/Ping from Mulan (1998)

Gay as an Umbrella Term: The character arc of Mulan/Ping and how they relate to their gender roles has been considered relatable to transgender fans.

It’s a Secret: Throughout the film, Mulan/Ping attempts to pass as male despite being born female, in a way that mirrors the experiences of transgender individuals at many instances.

Do Not Separate: While Mulan/Ping is considered queer on their own, Shang is often read as bisexual due to the way he exhibits interest in Mulan/Ping regardless of how they present.

VS

Dr. Jumba Jookiba & Agent Wendy Pleakley from Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Do Not Separate: Though not together by choice in their source material, the two end up bonding as time goes on and are essentially always depicted as a duo within marketing and extended canon, allowing them to be read as a couple.

Wait, You Were Joking?: Within the film, despite being referred to with masculine pronouns, Pleakley disguises himself in women’s clothing to blend in, which is intended to be comedic. This becomes a running gag in the extended canon.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 3 - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

José Carioca & Panchito Pistoles (Three Caballeros)

Ursula (Little Mermaid)

Voting ended onFeb 15, 2024

José Carioca & Panchito Pistoles from The Three Caballeros (1944)

Do Not Separate: These two are rarely seen without one another, due to the fact that they are two-parts of a trio, leading fans to interpret them as a couple.

It’s Fanon: Due to the line “We’re three caballeros, three gay caballeros”, many fans, despite the evolution of the term “gay”, have elected to ship all three caballeros together.

VS

Ursula from The Little Mermaid (1989)

There’s History There: Ursula was notably inspired by the drag legend, Divine, in design, narrative role, and some of her mannerisms.

Outcast: It’s a common reading that Ursula’s role as an outcast who aids Ariel, who also feels ostracized, to her own benefit and Ariel’s detriment, parallels the phenomenon of predation on newly-out queer people.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 3 - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

Li Shang & Fa Mulan/Ping (Mulan)

LeFou (Beauty and the Beast)

Shere Khan (Jungle Book)

Voting ended onFeb 15, 2024

Li Shang & Fa Mulan/Ping from Mulan (1998)

Gay as an Umbrella Term: The character arc of Mulan/Ping and how they relate to their gender roles has been considered relatable to transgender fans.

It’s a Secret: Throughout the film, Mulan/Ping attempts to pass as male despite being born female, in a way that mirrors the experiences of transgender individuals at many instances.

Do Not Separate: While Mulan/Ping is considered queer on their own, Shang is often read as bisexual due to the way he exhibits interest in Mulan/Ping regardless of how they present.

VS

LeFou from Beauty and the Beast (1991)

It’s Canon: As of the live action remake of Beauty and the Beast in 2017, LeFou made headlines as “Disney’s First Gay Character!”.

Obsession: LeFou, in both the original animated film and the live action remake, is the lackey to the antagonist Gaston, and is characterized by his devotion and loyalty to him.

VS

Shere Khan from The Jungle Book (1967)

It’s Fanon: Shere Khan exhibits what is considered to be campy behavior throughout the source material, leading him to be considered among the many queer-coded villains within Disney animated canon.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 3 - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

Dr. Jumba & Agent Pleakley (Lilo and Stitch)

Luca & Alberto (Luca)

Voting ended onFeb 15, 2024

Dr. Jumba Jookiba & Agent Wendy Pleakley from Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Do Not Separate: Though not together by choice in their source material, the two end up bonding as time goes on and are essentially always depicted as a duo within marketing and extended canon, allowing them to be read as a couple.

Wait, You Were Joking?: Within the film, despite being referred to with masculine pronouns, Pleakley disguises himself in women’s clothing to blend in, which is intended to be comedic. This becomes a running gag in the extended canon.

VS

Luca Paguro & Alberto Scorfano from Luca (2021)

Do Not Separate: The two characters quickly become inseparable during the first act of Luca, to the point where Alberto becomes emotionally dependent on Luca and antagonizes anyone who could potentially take him away.

It’s a Secret: Both Luca and Alberto spend the film trying to prevent their identities as sea monsters from being exposed to a town that is openly hostile towards them. Due to the characters’ ages and the film’s time period, it’s a common interpretation to read the film as a metaphor for discovering your sexual orientation within a homophobic town.

It’s Fanon: Beyond popular fan interpretation, there are crew members who worked on the film that also consider the two characters to be a potential couple.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 2 - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

José Carioca & Panchito Pistoles (Three Caballeros)

Mortimer Mouse (Mickey & Friends)

Voting ended onFeb 7, 2024

José Carioca & Panchito Pistoles from The Three Caballeros (1944)

Do Not Separate: These two are rarely seen without one another, due to the fact that they are two-parts of a trio, leading fans to interpret them as a couple.

It’s Fanon: Due to the line “We’re three caballeros, three gay caballeros”, many fans, despite the evolution of the term “gay”, have elected to ship all three caballeros together.

VS

Mortimer Mouse, who is a part of the Mickey & Friends cast (debut 1936)

It’s Fanon: His excessively flamboyant movement within his debut theatrical short has lead to fans, in the modern era, jokingly or facetiously insisting that Mortimer is queer.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 2 - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

Ursula (Little Mermaid)

Scar (Lion King)

Voting ended onFeb 7, 2024

Ursula from The Little Mermaid (1989)

There’s History There: Ursula was notably inspired by the drag legend, Divine, in design, narrative role, and some of her mannerisms.

Outcast: It’s a common reading that Ursula’s role as an outcast who aids Ariel, who also feels ostracized, to her own benefit and Ariel’s detriment, parallels the phenomenon of predation on newly-out queer people.

VS

Scar from The Lion King (1994)

It’s Fanon: He exhibits overtly dramatic and effeminate behavior throughout his appearance in his source material, in a way that fans have interpreted as queer in nature.

Controversial: Scar is considered the most iconic queer-coded Disney villain, having received both praise (in terms of community reclamation) and criticism (due to the homophobic nature of queer-coding villains) for the way he is depicted in the film.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 2 - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

Baloo & Bagheera (Jungle Book)

Li Shang & Fa Mulan/Ping (Mulan)

Voting ended onFeb 7, 2024

Baloo & Bagheera from The Jungle Book (1967)

It’s Fanon: Within the film, Baloo insinuates that he would consider becoming romantically involved with a panther (directed towards Bagheera) if one were to ask, leading fans to ship the two characters together.

Do Not Separate: While not exclusively depicted together, these characters are typically read as queer due to the way they interact with one another.

Wait, You Were Joking?: Baloo wears a grass skirt within the film, in a way that’s played for humor, and is regularly depicted in drag as a joke within extended canon.

VS

Li Shang & Fa Mulan/Ping from Mulan (1998)

Gay as an Umbrella Term: The character arc of Mulan/Ping and how they relate to their gender roles has been considered relatable to transgender fans.

It’s a Secret: Throughout the film, Mulan/Ping attempts to pass as male despite being born female, in a way that mirrors the experiences of transgender individuals at many instances.

Do Not Separate: While Mulan/Ping is considered queer on their own, Shang is often read as bisexual due to the way he exhibits interest in Mulan/Ping regardless of how they present.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 2 - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

All 7 of the 7 Dwarves (Snow White)

LeFou (Beauty and the Beast)

Voting ended onFeb 7, 2024

The Seven Dwarfs from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)

Do Not Separate: All seven men live together, without any interaction with women prior to the film, which has lead to people jokingly insinuating that they exist as polycule.

VS

LeFou from Beauty and the Beast (1991)

It’s Canon: As of the live action remake of Beauty and the Beast in 2017, LeFou made headlines as “Disney’s First Gay Character!”.

Obsession: LeFou, in both the original animated film and the live action remake, is the lackey to the antagonist Gaston, and is characterized by his devotion and loyalty to him.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 2 - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

Remy (Ratatouille)

Luca & Alberto (Luca)

Voting ended onFeb 7, 2024

Remy from Ratatouille (2007)

Gay as an Umbrella Term: Due to the sexual dimorphism found in real-life rats, Remy is jokingly considered to have been born female as he’s significantly smaller than the male rats in his family.

It’s a Secret: In the film, Remy has to keep his lifestyle choices a secret from his family out of fear of repercussion, leading to people facetiously referring to him as gay.

VS

Luca Paguro & Alberto Scorfano from Luca (2021)

Do Not Separate: The two characters quickly become inseparable during the first act of Luca, to the point where Alberto becomes emotionally dependent on Luca and antagonizes anyone who could potentially take him away.

It’s a Secret: Both Luca and Alberto spend the film trying to prevent their identities as sea monsters from being exposed to a town that is openly hostile towards them. Due to the characters’ ages and the film’s time period, it’s a common interpretation to read the film as a metaphor for discovering your sexual orientation within a homophobic town.

It’s Fanon: Beyond popular fan interpretation, there are crew members who worked on the film that also consider the two characters to be a potential couple.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 2 - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

Dr. Jumba & Agent Pleakley (Lilo and Stitch)

Kuzco (Emperor’s New Groove)

Voting ended onFeb 7, 2024

Dr. Jumba Jookiba & Agent Wendy Pleakley from Lilo & Stitch (2002)

Do Not Separate: Though not together by choice in their source material, the two end up bonding as time goes on and are essentially always depicted as a duo within marketing and extended canon, allowing them to be read as a couple.

Wait, You Were Joking?: Within the film, despite being referred to with masculine pronouns, Pleakley disguises himself in women’s clothing to blend in, which is intended to be comedic. This becomes a running gag in the extended canon.

VS

Emperor Kuzco from The Emperor’s New Groove (2000)

It’s Fanon: Kuzco is notably characterized by his dramatics and flamboyancy, to the degree that he was jokingly considered an honorary Disney Princess by fans.

Lack of Love Interest: In the film, he blatantly turns down potential brides for arbitrary reasons, and ultimately has no love interests outside of extended canon.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 2 - Who is Disney’s (Actual) First Gay Character?

Terk (Tarzan)

Shere Khan (Jungle Book)

Voting ended onFeb 7, 2024

Terk from Tarzan (1999)

Gay as an Umbrella Term: Terk is considered to be visually and vocally androgynous, as her gender is called into question by those who have seen the film constantly.

Wait, You Were Joking?: The narrative pokes fun at her lack of femininity, as Terk is made to wear a dress during the second act of Tarzan in order to disguise herself as Jane, to very little effect to every character other than Kerchak.

VS

Shere Khan from The Jungle Book (1967)

It’s Fanon: Shere Khan exhibits what is considered to be campy behavior throughout the source material, leading him to be considered among the many queer-coded villains within Disney animated canon.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

how autistic are you

Extremely, next question.

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

propaganda for Remy: his story was literally written to resemble coming out as queer to a heteronormative family. he also lives in Paris with a bisexual roommate, idk what’s gayer than that.

^

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

Askbox is now open for propaganda only!

[disneysactualfirstgaycharacter]

ROUND 1 - Who is Disney's (Actual) First Gay Character?

José Carioca & Panchito Pistoles (Three Caballeros)

Timon & Pumbaa (Lion King)

Voting ended onJan 30, 2024

José Carioca & Panchito Pistoles from The Three Caballeros (1944)

Do Not Separate: These two are rarely seen without one another, due to the fact that they are two-parts of a trio, leading fans to interpret them as a couple.

It's Fanon: Due to the line "We're three caballeros, three gay caballeros", many fans, despite the evolution of the term "gay", have elected to ship all three caballeros together.

VS

Timon & Pumbaa from The Lion King (1994)

Do Not Separate: These two are always depicted together as a pair, due to the fact that they fulfill the same narrative role in tandem in their source material. This has lead fans to interpret them as a couple.

Outcasts: The two are introduced as social outcasts, with multiple reasons being given in canon, including their lifestyle choices.

Wait, You Were Joking?: Via improvised joke, Timon dons drag during the third act of The Lion King.