Love Is An Open Door: LGBTQ Disney Podcast

Pirates of the Caribbean

Arrr, ahoy mateys! This week we're diving deep into the world of PIRATES — and as “Our Flag Means Death” reminds us, there’s nothing straight about 'em! We're setting sail with Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the very first film inspired by the legendary Disney ride that launched a swashbuckling franchise.
We talk about how the movie reshaped the attraction itself, from updates to full-on overhauls, and of course, all the  queer moments throughout the film. And we’re not talking subtext — it’s text. Two pirates are just straight-up gay, and let’s be real, Jack Sparrow and Barbossa fight like messy exes still working through a breakup. Hop aboard, it’s gonna be a ride!

Muppet Treasure Island

We dive into one of Rachel's all time favorite movies, Muppet Treasure Island! From Ms. Piggy playing a gender-swapped love interest for Kermit, to a lengthy musical montage that features the full cast in drag, the film is fun and queer without boundaries!

Robin Hood

After our extended break of Ryan and Rachel taking turns being sick, we are back to talk about ROBIN HOOD, possibly one of Disney's gayest films featuring a LOT of drag. Joining us is special guest, Katie, from the Mutant Ages and Warcraft Valley!

Lilo & Stitch

Ryan and Rachel sit down to talk about one of their favorite films of all time, Lilo & Stitch. While this film takes place on sunny Hawaii, it houses some of Disney's darker themes including loss, grief, depression, and a hopelessness. It also contains some of the most glaring queer metaphors of any Disney film, and that's before we even touch the fabulous Pleakley.

Encanto

Ryan and Rachel DO talk about Bruno, along with the queer metaphors in Encanto. Turns out there are a LOT in this film, and we have the fun addition of talking about generational trauma and how it affects a whole family.

Journey Into Imagination & Captain EO

Ryan and Rachel are joined by Cody Havard of the Being A Fan of Disney Podcast (and book!) to talk about the original Journey Into Imagination and Captain EO, and how there is nothing straight about either of those attractions, especially Dreamfinder. 

Peter Pan

Peter Pan features both a queer hero and a queer villain - But who's the hero and who's the villain?! We dive into the mythology of Peter Pan and all of the queer characters of Neverland, a place that seemingly exists in a huge vortex in the night sky, and how Captain Hook is a total babe.

Great Mouse Detective

This film features almost an entirely male cast with the exception of a 2 minute sexy lady mouse to offset the gay subtext (or in this case just text) between Basil, Dawson, and Professor Ratigan. Does this movie have a plot? Or is it just about Professor Ratigan getting back at his ex, Basil, who's now in a new relationship?

Aladdin

Everyone in Aladdin seems to be queer, except for Aladdin and Jasmine. We explore the queer coding of Jafar, Genie, Iago, and the Sultan, as well as our nostalgia for this movie.

Disney's Wish

Ryan and Rachel watched the new movie, Wish, exploring the queer themes of "At All Costs" as well as the internet's new favorite Daddy, King Magnifico.