Disney has debuted a new “Pride Collection” of merch, marking the first time the company has openly marketed its rainbow-themed products towards the LGBTQ+ community.
The corporation has been under massive scrutiny this year after its poor reaction to Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. After changing gears and promising to better support its LGBTQ+ employees and fans, conservatives have railed against Disney for giving into “wokeness,” even promising boycotts of its products.
All that to say, it seems Disney may have finally realized it can no longer toe the line when it comes to matters of equality.
While rainbow merchandise has been available for some time, with what felt like an antiquated winking acknowledgment of all of the queer fans that watch Disney movies, go to Disney theme parks, and buy Disney products, the newly revealed Pride Collection marks the first time they are calling these items what they really are. “The Disney Pride Collection was created by LGBTQIA+ employees and allies at The Walt Disney Company and is a reflection of their incredible contributions and place at the heart of the company,” the company said in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ community everywhere.” The annual collection, which in previous years had been referred to as the “Rainbow Collection,” is offering up merch featuring Marvel superheroes, Star Wars insignias, and of course glimpses of Mickey Mouse ears, all with coloring reminiscent of the general pride, bisexual, or trans flags.