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)
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.
