Is Riley, a Character in Inside Out 2, Actually Gay?

18th September 2024, 17:02 | Updated: 1st November 2024, 17:26

Does Riley, a character in Inside Out 2, possess a lesbian identity? Insights from Pixar personnel offer a nuanced perspective on her relationship with Val.

A former Pixar employee asserts that the team behind Inside Out 2 was instructed to portray Riley less overtly as part of the LGBTQ+ community in the final product.

Pixar's history with LGBTQ+ characters is a complex and evolving narrative. While a full-fledged, openly LGBTQ+ protagonist remains elusive, certain films, including Luca and Turning Red, showcase potentially queer-coded characters. Onward, notably, introduced Officer Spencer, the company's first overt gay character.

Riley from Inside Out has also been interpreted as queer-coded. This interpretation has gained traction in the context of Inside Out 2, where Riley exhibits a marked interest in Val, another female hockey player. Whether this attraction represents romantic affection or a simple admiration remains a point of contention among viewers.

Recently, individuals involved in the production of the film have suggested that Pixar made alterations to the narrative, motivated by concerns over Riley's portrayal as a queer individual.

A recent IGN interview with ten former Pixar employees, all recently laid off following their involvement with Inside Out 2, examined the challenges associated with the production and the larger cultural dynamics within the studio.

According to sources within the IGN report, "Careful consideration was given to presenting the Riley-Val relationship in a purely platonic light. Edits to lighting and scene tones were implemented to mitigate any perceived romantic tension."

One source detailed the extensive effort made "to ensure that Riley and Val were not perceived as anything other than a straight couple."

A core directive from Pixar was to portray Riley as "less queer".

Discussing Riley's character and sexuality, another source commented: "Riley's portrayal is not definitively gay in the film. The film's narrative suggests a potential for same-sex attraction, but the studio has made efforts to downplay such interpretations."

Additional sources noted a widespread acceptance of the possibility of never seeing a major gay protagonist in a Pixar movie.

Pixar has yet to comment on the allegations. This article will be updated accordingly.

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