Yesterday morning,when I looked up information for Frozen's sequel,I found something that baffled my mind beyond belief.It was an article,which stated that Idina Menzel herself,is a supporter for making Elsa a lesbian and giving her a girlfriend.
Where the hell do I even begin with this idea...? Well,let's start with what my reaction towards it was.
When I first saw this yesterday,I was both sad and furious.Even when I had class in the morning,I couldn't shake this out of my head.I think this is even worse than that time they said they're going to show a more playful side of Elsa!
Before we actually begin this article,let's get some things out of the way first:
First,I'm not going to rant here as much as I did in my "What I want the sequel for Frozen to do" article.I have calmed down since yesterday and I'll try to be more justifiable and less angry.
Second,if you disagree with me,more power to you! We all have different opinions and I can certainly respect that.
Third,if there's going to be part in this article that you don't like,then I'm sorry.I never meant to insult anyone.
Fourth,because I had a lot of things in my mind,I'm sorry if this article is kind of all over the place.
Let's begin:
Now,when I said that Elsa being a lesbian is idiotic,it's not because I'm a homophobe,because I'm not.I have become more accepting of gay people,and I've learned to be more accepting and respectful of them.
No,my reasons as to why I believe it's stupid,are justifiable and are not based on prejudice or homophobia,but rather common sense.
One of those reasons being is that,many people believe the "Let It Go" moment is suppose to represent homosexual people being able to show their true selves.But it's not entirely true.
Many have zeroed in on Elsa.Elsa has come to represent alternative lifestyles.She seems to be a role model for those who don’t fit the “norm”. She steps out of society’s rules in several ways.For one,she’s one of the few Disney heroines without a love interest.Elsa also represents "freedom and tolerance". When Elsa “let it go” in the film,it seemed to send the message that told kids, “It’s okay to be yourself.Don’t conceal what’s inside”. This especially relates to the LGBT because most of them often feel they have to “conceal” or hide who they are to feel more “normal”. So for them,if anyone is to represent LGBT,it should be her.
There are many who are for the push and many who are against it.The conservative,religious folk just feel it isn’t right for their kids.There are also those fans that already shipped her with Jack Frost.
By the title of the article,you could guess that I'm completely against it.
The main reason being is that I don't think Elsa should be that character.
Mostly because...what’s wrong with a character being single? It’s bad enough for women to be damsels in distress,but let’s not forget that women are also often stereotypically clumped with the romance genre.It was refreshing to see a female character that showed no interest in romance and had no issues with betrothal or anything marriage-related (like Merida). Just a refreshing story about a woman who wanted to break free and show her strengths.
I know what a lot of you might be asking: "But Renegade! What does it matter if Elsa is gay or not?"
If she becomes a lesbian,the movie will only sell in America…but the movie will be banned in other religious countries.So how is this going to be another billion dollar movie? If we’re thinking from a business perspective making Elsa gay can break the movie’s reputation and interfere with revenue.And its not because of what I believe [is] right and wrong.But rather most of the world is not as progressive or tolerant of gay people like Americans.Elsa would do better being single,for the sake of making worldwide success.If they make her gay,this movie will be a financial flop worldwide and will be filled with criticism.
Also,why must Elsa find love? Part of her appeal was being a single and independent woman.She had different interests other than romance and proves that love does not always have to be romantic.The first movie proved that.By giving her a romantic love interest,it will deviate from that message:that love does not always have to be romantic to save the day.The bond between sisters saved the day.I think they should focus on that.
…Why must we change (her from being single and independent to suddenly being a romantic) to fit an agenda? Why don’t they ask for a brand new character that is gay? Elsa was inspirational because she was single.By saying she should be gay or straight,people are insinuating that a person should never be without a romantic partner and that being single is somehow “sad”. Why is her being alone such a bad thing? Why is being single not good enough for people? It’s like the world suspects if you’re not straight,you’re gay and there is no room to be single or even in-between! I’m tired of people assuming a single woman or a man who refuses to marry or date is classified as “gay” (Trust me,I experienced that A LOT!). This just reinforces such stereotypes and doesn’t leave room for the imagination nor does it leave room for people to be okay living a single life regardless of their sexual orientation.
She was a loner and wanted to do her own thing.If this were to change,people like me would no longer relate to what made her character so great in the first place.She wasn’t focused on love,she focused on the powers inside of her.
Take the Lord of the Rings movies for instance.While they're great movies and changed a lot of cinema forever,there some are problems that still bother me.One of those problems being is that Sam and Frodo 's relationship looks more like a relationship between a gay couple,then a relationship between friends.
Now,if they were gay,I wouldn't mind that.Heck,I think it would actually be refreshing.But the problem with that is that Tolkien didn't want to show the power if love,but the power of friendship.And the movies makes them look like they love each other as a couple,more than friends who look up for one-another.
And while it wouldn't bother me if they were gay,but that was not the intention of the Tolkien.So it just comes off as...kind of weird,to say the least.
The reason I referenced Lord of the Rings,it's because it's the same thing with Frozen.
Frozen wanted to show that the love between family members is just as strong as love between two people.So by sucking out Frozen's main theme,it will end up as forced and wholly unnecessary.
Sure,Anna had a romantic story with Kristoff,but it comes to show that there are differences between Elsa and Anna.Anna is romantic,while Elsa has no interest in it.That's why it bothers me so much if they give her a love interest (Whether it be a male or a female.).
And now comes the ranting part...:
I absolutely HATE the entire Elsa ship thing! She is not supposed to be with anyone! If people cannot realize that they are missing the whole point of her character in the movie.She is very strong and independent.She loves Anna to the end of the earth and back,but when it comes to romance,she has no time or interest for it.She is alone and she is happy with finally just being able to be herself and have acceptance.She is a free spirit and a symbol to show young girls and women alike that what is important is being yourself.You don't have to pine after men (Or women in this case.) to be happy with your life regardless of the fact that society may frown upon it,but its your life and you make the best of it.Not everyone is meant to be with someone and some women are just happier on their own and nothing anyone does or says can change that.She is a symbol of strength,power,independence,and love and to EVER pair her with ANYONE is just wrong and ruins the symbol she has become and the message she delivers to the film.
This is basically Disney telling me:
"Oh,this character is single and is a role model for those who suffer from depression and loneliness! WELL SCREW YOU!!! We'll make her a lesbian because if someone is single,then they must be gay. Oh,you're single yourself,well then you're a sad,little gay fool.We all know that people being single is stupid!"
It honestly feels like Disney has turned into that jackass from high-school who called you a faggot (Sorry about that,I didn't mean to insult anyone.) because you were single.
I'm sorry,I seemed to have projected myself in there a little bit.
On the same day I saw that article,I asked this question on Quora :"Why does everyone believe that Elsa is a lesbian just because she didn't have a love interest in Frozen?". After that,most of the answers seemed to lean toward making her lesbian,which saddened me.As I said,I have absolutely nothing against homosexuals,but her character has been established to be single.
A commenter said this: " It costs nothing, because Frozen has already grossed about a billion dollars (before licensing) and kids will never (pardon the phrase) let it go, and despite the question details, it’s not the equivalent of calling a man gay, because Elsa isn’t a real person and is whatever “her” creators say she is."
Yeah,that's a bunch of bullcrap (Sorry about that.). As I said multiple times,if they make Elsa a lesbian,this movie would only gross in America because there are other countries in the world that aren't as progressive as America and are against homosexuality.And her character was meant to be a symbol that not everyone must find a love interest to feel complete with their lives to be happy.
I'm not saying that you should never be in love with someone,that's ludicrous.What I meant is that "not EVERYONE" should,especially if they have no interest in it whatsoever.
And about that comment of caring about a fictional character,let me ask you this question? Did you ever have a character whom you related to,looked up to,connected with,respected,enjoyed to the point you wish it was real? I know that Elsa is a fictional character and can never be real, (That is,if the far future doesn't invent something to do so.) but that doesn't make her any less real to me.
I’m not proud of it,but sometimes I have issues with controlling my actions and temper.Before becoming a fan of Frozen,it was a lot worse and when I lashed out,I would scare myself with what I would do.Once,when me and my classmates were waiting in the hallway for the teacher to come,I was reading an article on my tablet,when suddenly,a girl came and accidentally made me drop it to the ground.I was so angry and I scared her and almost made her cry.I've been trying to get help,but my parents won't let me.But seeing how Elsa was able to control her powers by the end helped me make progress even faster.Frozen (Or,should I say "Elsa" ) has saved me.
And it was the first time there was a Disney female character,who had no interest in romance and didn't end up with anyone.I know that Merida did the same thing,but I couldn't really relate to her character,and she was a princess.Elsa was a queen and I could relate to her,which made her my favorite.
I don't want Elsa to be a lesbian and get a girlfriend in the sequel,not because I lust for her and want her for me.But because if she would end up as a lesbian,not only do I think it would make her less relatable for people like me,but also ruin what her character stands for.
In conclusion,if you disagree with me,I won't try to stop you from it.However,I do ask you to understand where I'm coming from and why I'm against it.Not just from a personal level,but from a logical and business standpoint to.
As always,smell ya' later!