Part 3/9:
Adding fuel to the fire, Lightyear's screenwriter, Lauren Gunderson, publicly claimed responsibility for including the scene. She proudly stated that her goal was to feature representation and that she consciously wrote the scene to include a lesbian partner for one of the characters. Her statement emphasized her belief that love is universal and that her work aimed to promote inclusivity, saying, "Love is love."
Gunderson’s comments highlighted the divide: creators advocating for representation versus some audience members and critics who feel such content is inappropriate for children. Her bold stance underscored a broader cultural debate about the role of diversity in media and whether it should be normalized in children’s entertainment.