Not to mention that femmes exist.

Basically I don’t think the discussion on someone’s gender presentation should lead on to speculation about their sexuality because you can’t tell the latter from the former. There are clues sure, and some things are more likely to lead to one conclusion than another statistically speaking, but its not an actual causal link.

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EW’s reasons for Merida being a lesbian are, frankly, stupid. Like you said: There’s no problem with the idea that she might be a lesbian, and maybe she is. But first of all, her sexuality was besides the point. Her sexuality DID NOT MATTER to the story. The story was about a mother and daughter whose relationship had fallen apart, and how they fixed it.

And:

I was a tomboy growing up. I still am, in some ways. I used to think boys were gross and kissing was gross and holding hands was suspect. I was going to have my own TV show on Discovery Channel, and I was going to never get married but instead live in a tent in Africa with my camera man (who I would certainly *not* be romantically involved with). I also did archery for several years in 4H (wow, did “Brave” reawaken the desire to do that). Plus I still think it’s cool to let daddy long-legs and worms and caterpillars crawl all over my hand as I examine them.

And guess what? I’m straight. But according to EW, could I be gay? Absolutely, because I don’t fit traditional gender roles…whatever. Along with all of the above, I bridle at the idea of being the obedient fiancee…I definitely laugh at my boyfriend and do what I want.

(Well, sometimes. Obviously a good relationship is founded on compromise…which is part of the point of the movie.)

Who cares whether Merida’s a lesbian? It doesn’t matter either way, and like you said – sure, you can take her lack of interest in the three suitors as a sign of that (although I have to ask, was there ANYONE who saw the movie and thought the suitors were good?), but her breaking of traditional gender roles?

Come on, guys.

Plus this kind of perpetuates the stereotype that all lesbians must basically be men in female bodies. There are lesbians who wear make-up and are into fashion and stuff…they don’t have to be “butch” any more than straight women have to be “girly.”

Seriously.

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So.

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The movie is not at all about Merida’s possible sexuality. It is completely, 100% about her relationship with her mother (and the rest of her family) and realizing how to be true to herself but also fulfill her duties. THAT is an awesome message. And I would just like to add, the script never says that she is not interested in boys, she says over and over again that she’s “not ready” for marriage, which is a very different statement if you ask me.

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Not “OH MY GOD I AM BALLING WHAT THE FUCK HAS THIS MOVIE REDUCED ME TO’ Pixar amazing, but a really nice animated film. I had problems with the story, but that’s because a piece of paper says I studied animation and when you do that you officially ruin the entertainment value of anything you will ever watch, ever again (it’s like going to film school). But I came in with pretty low expectations (original female director that was supposed to be the first female director for Pixar was replaced with male director, mixed reviews about the screenings, rumbles from inside Pixar that their story people weren’t too thrilled about the story themselves), and figured it would be something really pretty to look at at least because no one models and renders like Pixar. But it was more than that, so I was pretty happy.

That aside, I COMPLETELY agree with you, Grace. I really loved that Merida was this strong female character who wasn’t overtaken by this sudden need to love some guy due to plot. The gender-variance just made her more dimensional for me, and definitely more of a role model. I didn’t see her as gay, but it was also easy to relate and project myself into the character and I saw a lot of myself in her (as well as the frustration of the relationship with her mother). However I can also see where people used to the cliche of having the SFP fall for the prince, the childhood friend or the roguish anti-hero can confuse Merida’s lack of interest with potential queerness. At the same time though it’s STAGGERING that we live in goddam 2012 and we’re still using tired stereotyping (she’s rough and tumble! she’s fierce! she’s not interested in boys!) to pin down gender expression/sexual preference in a KIDS MOVIE. Like really, people?

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