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“Enough Queerbaiting”: Inside Out 2’s Potential LGBTQ+ Storyline For Riley Sparks Heated Debate
Inside Out’s Riley taught us so much wisdom when it came to understanding the challenges of navigating childhood. Nearly 10 years later, Pixar is reintroducing the little girl who learned to embrace her complex emotions, now as a teenager with all the trials and tribulations that entails, including a potential love interest, more specifically, a same-sex one.
Highlights
- Riley returns as a teenager with potential same-sex love interest.
- LGBTQ+ communities anticipate potential representation in Inside Out 2.
- New characters Anxiety, Ennui, Envy, and Embarrassment debut.
LGBTQ+ folks are now anticipating a potential storyline representative of one facet of the community in Disney Pixar’s sequel to the emotional rollercoaster.
Inside Out 2 returns to Riley’s mind as she embarks on her teenage years. Moreover, the sequel introduces new emotions, reflecting on the struggles that come with adolescence.
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Inside Out 2 revisits Riley’s journey through adolescence, potentially exploring LGBTQ+ representation
Image credits: Pixar
Image credits: Pixar
Amongst the new characters, Anxiety (voiced by Maya Hawke) makes an appearance, as well as Ennui (voiced by Adèle Exarchopoulos), Envy (voiced by Ayo Edebiri), and Embarrassment (voiced by Paul Walter Hauser).
A clip from the film was aired during the Super Bowl LVIII last month named Team, and on March 7, a second trailer, along with a new poster, was released.
In the clip and the trailer, Riley encounters a new group of friends, igniting potential discussions about her sexual orientation.
A trailer featuring a new character hinted at discussions about Riley’s sexual orientation
Image credits: Pixar
A segment showcases a subtle depiction of Riley blushing upon seeing a girl with pink hair who also happens to play ice hockey with her, as seen in the Team clip.
Riley’s evolution has sparked extensive speculation within LGBTQ+ communities online, with fans wondering whether Disney is subtly introducing a lesbian storyline.
“Inside Out 2 Riley’s new emotions are voiced by Ayo Edebiri, Maya Hawke, and Adèle Exarchopoulos? yeah, I’d start liking girls too,” a person wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Image credits: Pixar
A segment hinted at Riley potentially having a crush on a girl with pink hair
Image credits: Pixar
Another X user approached the speculations with caution, as they commented: “I’m refusing to believe that Riley in ‘Inside Out 2’ will be gay, I’ve seen enough queerbaiting from Disney.
“Only if she ends up saying romantic things to the other girl and kiss her, and/or say she’s gay/Lesbian/bi/queer/questioning I’ll accept it. The end.”
Queerbaiting refers to a practice where creators hint at an LGBTQ+ representation in their content to attract queer viewership or generate buzz without actually following through with substantial representation.
You can watch the trailer below:
Others pointed to the movie’s new alleged love interest’s age, who has been said to be a high school senior, while Riley is a junior.
“Riley has a crush, platonic or not, and it’s for another girl,” someone penned.
Meanwhile, a separate individual had an entirely different take, as they chimed in on X: “Calling it now Inside Out 2 is gonna have Riley suffer a concussion and it’s gonna change how the emotions or whatever interact in her noggin.”
Inside Out 2 is scheduled to be released in theaters in the United States on June 14, 2024.
Inside Out 2’s trailer continued to ignite divided opinions
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What do you think ?
Stardust she/her 1 year ago
It could also be that she wants to be friends with her. As a bi girl I can get platonic “crushes” on people I think are cool so maybe that’s what Riley could be going through
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago
I have no idea why you’re getting downvoted. This site has become such a hateful and intolerant place- have an upvote.
Load More Replies...
Aiden Brough 1 year ago
Does it matter? Why does they fact she's a lesbian REALLY matter? I honestly thought we were supposed to be beyond 'titles' and 'pigeon holeing'? The more and more we seem to strive for equality, the more and more we seem to WANT to point out differences which don't need to be highlighted. What is worse, it's hideous companies like Disney that profit from this 'virtue signaling' and then proceed to knee bend to oppressive countries.
Maniyalexa 1 year ago
To be honest, I just care that Riley is happy. If she has a crush on a girl, that's completely normal!
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago (edited)
It would be amazing to see some positive LGBTQIA+ representation as Disney is renown for a little thing called queerbaiting. However, I don’t want it to feel forced and like Disney is putting it in for brownie points. If it’s part of the story and plot, that would be great though. I loved the first movie and I’m sure the second one is going to be great!
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago
Wow, I’m getting downvoted for saying queer content would be nice. God, this site is so incredibly hate filled anymore. 🙄
Load More Replies...
BTDubs 1 year ago
Whether Riley is gay or bi is not the point. The point is this movie looks even better than the first one!
Marinasingingalto 1 year ago
Okay, I'm saying this now that the movie is out. You're grasping thin straws. Envy and anxiety AREN'T CRUSHES ON OTHERS! secondly, in mount crushmore, she only had CRUSHES on GUYS. thirdly, as a lesbian, this would ruin everything because then schools can't show it because then they'd be accused of grooming. Fourth, in the first movie, they are so many hints that she's straight af. Making her gay or bi just wouldn't be realistic. I've liked girls before I even had puberty. That's a s****y way to add it. Fifth, Val is a senior who's KIND. Stop projecting these straws because joy doesn't fall for a character and whatever. Val is admitted because she's talented.
Chaz Spam 1 year ago
Typical Disney to take a strong female character that has some influence and make her gay. While there are certainly gay teenagers it is uncommon rare and not normal by any means. So them making a movie about adolescence and coming of age by representing what only a very small fraction of the female teenagers are going through is just not acceptable or relatable. Mostly girls of that age might see it and say “but I’m not gay, so how can I relate to Riley.” I have no doubt if not riley it will be another character. You can’t trust Disney anymore and their movies have recently been unwatchable. I will wait till it hits streaming and then see. We should know by then if it’s full of the alphabets.
Caleb of the homies 1 year ago
I think she just has someone she looks up to, we all have pur "hero" that we know personally in our lives. I have a buddy who Is a boxer that I plan to outlift one day. I see him is somewhat like a god.
KillerKiwi 1 year ago
Idc what the hell she is asking as the movie actually has a plot, and it doesn’t revolve around her being gay. My sisters and I watched Strange World, and it was garbage. S****y plot and the entire time, they were shoving the fact that the son was gay down everyone’s throats. This is my son, he’s gay. Yeah, that’s my son, he likes dudes. I’m so proud of my son for making it this far, and also he sucks d**k. In case you forgot. Lightyear was better though, they had lgbtq representation but it was just a normal part of life, as it should be.
Cathy Jo Baker 1 year ago
I may have missed something because I skimmed the article, but it seems that people think Riley COULD BE bi, COULD BE gay, etc but nobody is really sure. Pure speculation.
TotallyNOTAFox 1 year ago
Wouldn't surprise me honestly, though making it a main story plot would prevent Disney from censoring it in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. I think they go with platonic friendship with this one for that reason
Marinasingingalto 1 year ago
It is platonic friendship. I just hate when people grasp thin straws for a theory disproven in the first film. *she was shown to like guys in the first film. At her age, I already liked girls.* my favorites are "She wore a rainbow shirt, that's a pride flag", "joy doesn't simp for Lance, so she's bi," and "Envy and anxiety want to be like Val, so gay."
Load More Replies...
J. Maxx 1 year ago
Kids are also members of the GLBTQ+ community. I knew I was Gay at seven years old, and children nowadays are a lot more sophisticated and need to see representation.
Load More Replies... Stardust she/her 1 year ago
It could also be that she wants to be friends with her. As a bi girl I can get platonic “crushes” on people I think are cool so maybe that’s what Riley could be going through
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago
I have no idea why you’re getting downvoted. This site has become such a hateful and intolerant place- have an upvote.
Load More Replies... Aiden Brough 1 year ago
Does it matter? Why does they fact she's a lesbian REALLY matter? I honestly thought we were supposed to be beyond 'titles' and 'pigeon holeing'? The more and more we seem to strive for equality, the more and more we seem to WANT to point out differences which don't need to be highlighted. What is worse, it's hideous companies like Disney that profit from this 'virtue signaling' and then proceed to knee bend to oppressive countries.
Maniyalexa 1 year ago
To be honest, I just care that Riley is happy. If she has a crush on a girl, that's completely normal!
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago (edited)
It would be amazing to see some positive LGBTQIA+ representation as Disney is renown for a little thing called queerbaiting. However, I don’t want it to feel forced and like Disney is putting it in for brownie points. If it’s part of the story and plot, that would be great though. I loved the first movie and I’m sure the second one is going to be great!
LokisLilButterknife 1 year ago
Wow, I’m getting downvoted for saying queer content would be nice. God, this site is so incredibly hate filled anymore. 🙄
Load More Replies... BTDubs 1 year ago
Whether Riley is gay or bi is not the point. The point is this movie looks even better than the first one!
Marinasingingalto 1 year ago
Okay, I'm saying this now that the movie is out. You're grasping thin straws. Envy and anxiety AREN'T CRUSHES ON OTHERS! secondly, in mount crushmore, she only had CRUSHES on GUYS. thirdly, as a lesbian, this would ruin everything because then schools can't show it because then they'd be accused of grooming. Fourth, in the first movie, they are so many hints that she's straight af. Making her gay or bi just wouldn't be realistic. I've liked girls before I even had puberty. That's a s****y way to add it. Fifth, Val is a senior who's KIND. Stop projecting these straws because joy doesn't fall for a character and whatever. Val is admitted because she's talented.
Chaz Spam 1 year ago
Typical Disney to take a strong female character that has some influence and make her gay. While there are certainly gay teenagers it is uncommon rare and not normal by any means. So them making a movie about adolescence and coming of age by representing what only a very small fraction of the female teenagers are going through is just not acceptable or relatable. Mostly girls of that age might see it and say “but I’m not gay, so how can I relate to Riley.” I have no doubt if not riley it will be another character. You can’t trust Disney anymore and their movies have recently been unwatchable. I will wait till it hits streaming and then see. We should know by then if it’s full of the alphabets.
Caleb of the homies 1 year ago
I think she just has someone she looks up to, we all have pur "hero" that we know personally in our lives. I have a buddy who Is a boxer that I plan to outlift one day. I see him is somewhat like a god.
KillerKiwi 1 year ago
Idc what the hell she is asking as the movie actually has a plot, and it doesn’t revolve around her being gay. My sisters and I watched Strange World, and it was garbage. S****y plot and the entire time, they were shoving the fact that the son was gay down everyone’s throats. This is my son, he’s gay. Yeah, that’s my son, he likes dudes. I’m so proud of my son for making it this far, and also he sucks d**k. In case you forgot. Lightyear was better though, they had lgbtq representation but it was just a normal part of life, as it should be.
Cathy Jo Baker 1 year ago
I may have missed something because I skimmed the article, but it seems that people think Riley COULD BE bi, COULD BE gay, etc but nobody is really sure. Pure speculation.
TotallyNOTAFox 1 year ago
Wouldn't surprise me honestly, though making it a main story plot would prevent Disney from censoring it in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. I think they go with platonic friendship with this one for that reason
Marinasingingalto 1 year ago
It is platonic friendship. I just hate when people grasp thin straws for a theory disproven in the first film. *she was shown to like guys in the first film. At her age, I already liked girls.* my favorites are "She wore a rainbow shirt, that's a pride flag", "joy doesn't simp for Lance, so she's bi," and "Envy and anxiety want to be like Val, so gay."
Load More Replies... J. Maxx 1 year ago
Kids are also members of the GLBTQ+ community. I knew I was Gay at seven years old, and children nowadays are a lot more sophisticated and need to see representation.
Load More Replies... You May Like
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