Growing up, I often found myself siding with the villain character in Disney movies and I didn’t know why. I found myself watching High School Musical, and wondering why some average basketball player and a random exchange student were ruining a perfectly fine drama club. Later on in life two things happened. Firstly, I realised I was gay and secondly, I realised Sharpay was a gay icon.
Now that I am much older and wiser, and Disney seems to be rebooting every single film under the sun, I’m finding myself reflecting on the films that shaped who I am. And what I’m finding is that, there is a very big reason for why I stanned these villain characters. I wasn’t an evil kid, I was just a gay kid! Allow me to explain.
Speaking of queer-coded characters, we spoke about Hamlet on this episode of It’s Been A Big Day For…
Disney villains are queer-coded. Point, blank, simple. From the way they move to their sense of style, they all possess gay energy. This is a fact. If you don’t believe me, Twitter has my back on this one.
Some are in the LGBTQIA+ community and some are straight but are in the category of gay icons; there’s a spectrum that exists. Alas, allow me to explain how gay the most popular Disney villains are.
Queen Elsa of Arinadle
Elsa is a closeted gay. When she says “conceal, don’t feel, put on a show,” did you really think she was talking about the snow? No way, she’s gay! And we love that for her. Before you say, ‘but Elsa isn’t a villain’, I’m going to make the point that all of the drama occurred in Frozen because of her. So, if she’s not a villain, she’s definitely an anti-hero. Nonetheless, we stan.
Scar
Scar is a neglected gay. Poor Scar, if your older brother got to rule the land, I’m sure you’d be sad too. We can’t help but feel that his sexuality was part of the reason that this lion was forced out of the Pride Rock squad. Like, Scar’s parents were definitely homophobic and for that, we sympathise with Scar. Also, if you don’t believe that, just look at the way he moves about in ‘Be Prepared.’ Category is: Camp realness. Not the remake version though, sadly, Disney made him less queer for that.
Ursula
Ursula is a drag queen gay. Disney fun fact; Ursula is actually based on a real-life drag queen named Divine. As a result, she manages to become a queer icon for all genders. Throughout The Little Mermaid, this icon belts out a musical number whilst drastically changing up her aesthetic. Petition to get her on for RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 13?
Gaston
Gaston is an Instagram gay, there’s no doubt about it. Gatson is peak gay culture in the 2020s: He loves to look at himself in the mirror, he has gym-daddy muscles and his best friend LeFou – we can confirm – is gay. Let’s just say, we reckon he was never really into Belle. God love a beard!
Tamatoa
Tamatoa is a sugar-baby gay. This crab has had a taste for the high life and is not letting it go. This Moana fan-favourite chooses to dress up in only the most immaculate jewels and communicates via song. Like, you couldn’t get gayer than that? To quote Nelly Furtado, “Nope, didn’t think so!”
Cruella De Vil
Cruella is a fashion icon. We don’t necessarily think Cruella De Vil is gay, per se – but her iconic fashion looks definitely qualify her for gay icon-ness. If Ursula is a show-stopping, talented drag queen, Cruella would definitely be a look queen. Don’t get it twisted though, both could snatch the Drag Race crown.
Don’t you just love the Disney villains?
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