Finding Dory to have transgender character in Disney first says Ellen DeGeneres

The chat show revealed a stingray will change into sting-Rhonda
Secret: Ellen DeGeneres revealed the sequel will feature a transgender character
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Emma Powell14 June 2016
The Weekender

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Ellen Degeneres has revealed there will be a transgender character in the new Finding Dory film.

Disney and Pixar will make history with the character who will change from stingray to sting-Rhonda in the Finding Nemo sequel.

DeGeneres – who voices the titular character – revealed the “secret” during an interview with USA Today.

“Actually, I’ll tell you a little secret,” she said. “There’s a stingray that’s becoming sting-Rhonda, so there’s a trans-sting in the movie.”

DeGeneres’ comments come weeks after a trailer was released showing what appeared to be the first same-sex couple in a Disney film.

The clip sees two women walking along while pushing a young child in a buggy which has led some fans to assume they are a lesbian couple.

DeGeneres remained tight lipped on the claims and said: “I don’t mind the question and I don’t know if it’s true or not, or if she just has a bad haircut. Who knows if she is a lesbian?”

Director Andrew Stanton has also remained cagey on the subject and recently said of the characters: “They can be whatever you want them to be. There’s no right or wrong answer.”

Disney was called out by Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) earlier this year for failing to represent LGBT people in films.

The announcement of Frozen 2 recently sparked calls for Queen Elsa to enjoy a same sex relationship in the upcoming sequel.

A #GiveElsaAGirlfriend campaign was launched by fans urging Disney to make Idina Menzel's character come out.

Finding Dory is set for UK cinema release on July 29.

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