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Disney: "Mulan"

Disney is resuscitating "Mulan," which seems unnecessary, but also let's recall how close-to-overtly "gay" this movie is:

Look at me
I will never pass for a perfect bride
Or a perfect daughter
Can it be I'm not meant to play this part
Now I see
That if I were truly to be myself, I would break my family's heart
Who is that girl I see
Staring straight, back at me
Why is my reflection someone I don't know
Somehow I cannot hide
Who I am
Though I've tried
When will my reflection show who I am inside
When will my reflection show who I am inside


That's Mulan herself, worried that the person she is will never match up to the person her family wishes her to be. Though I'm not sure, I'm willing to bet that the lyricist is a gay man.

I can't really recall the plot of "Mulan"--I think there's some Shakespearean cross-dressing, some bits involving mistaken identity--but, over the years, I've often admired "Mulan"'s willingness to state (almost) explicitly what it means to be in the closet. Who says that the history of Disney animation is *entirely* homophobic?

Disney gave us an anthem about feeling uncomfortable in your own skin--and then Disney placed that anthem in the hands of Lea Salonga. A major moment in the history of gay rights.

Mark your calendar. The new movie is coming. All hail Lea Salonga! Attention must be paid.

 P.S. I'm off to the Midwest to wait on the The Birth (!), so my publishing schedule may be erratic this week. Bear with me!
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