This Artist Reimagined Disney Characters as Transgender to Explore Powerful New Perspectives

Despite their flaws, classic Disney characters have always exuded starry-eyed charisma in their quests for love, freedom, and self-fulfillment. Now, a New York-based art director is bringing Disney into the new millennium by re-imagining those characters as trans.

The artist, working under the Instagram handle @transdisney, has reimagined classic characters like Sleeping Beauty, Mulan, and even Aladdin as trans. The effect is surprising, entrancing, and, ultimately, beautiful.

Remember this scene from the film? The "Do you trust me?" moment... Would you trust someone less based only on their gender? Nope. Sorry not sorry.

A post shared by Trans Disney (@trans.disney) on Aug 12, 2017 at 7:31pm PDT

Writing on Bored Panda, the artist explained that they loved Disney movies as a child but always felt they should have included more diverse characters.

"Growing up, I realized that they don't include a very important category: transgender people," they wrote. "People who more than anyone else know the meaning of and seek for that love, freedom and transformation portrayed by Disney."

It should come as no surprise that Ariel, who always knew she belonged in a different body, is the first character to appear in @transdisney's account.

The face you make when they ask "Why can't you just stay a woman?" You don't get to choose which body you come in, but you can decide which body you will live on. The one allowing you to be yourself every day of your life.

A post shared by Trans Disney (@trans.disney) on Aug 12, 2017 at 7:21pm PDT

The artist also wrote that their decision to "out" Disney characters was inspired by Disney's own mission statement of love and inclusion.

"I asked myself: What if the most famous movies were to be told as a transgender story?" they wrote. "What if they could use their power and following to help tear down the stigmas and taboos about the LGBTQ community?"

As trans individuals, characters like Jasmine and Merida --- trapped by circumstance and society --- take on new poignancy. They become victims, and heroes, of entirely different stories:

The face you make when they ask you why you couldn't stay the way you were...

A post shared by Trans Disney (@trans.disney) on Aug 16, 2017 at 5:59am PDT

Today’s word is brave. Needless to say, transitioning to a new you is hella scary. You know what you leave behind, but what’s round the corner? Will they understand? Will they still love me? Will I be left alone? It takes a great amount of courage to silence the fear, to cross the line. It’s a new birth. Indeed, it’s a rebirth. And there’s nothing easier in the whole world than celebrating life. Always. **Images found on Google. Project not endorsed by Disney.

A post shared by Trans Disney (@trans.disney) on Aug 21, 2017 at 7:11am PDT

As for the rest, maybe it's best for the artist to explain:

Imagine you were born in the forest, and that you were not raised based on gender conventions. Who would be there to put labels on you? Male. Female. Gay. Transgender. None would matter. You're none of them, and at the same time all of them. Most importantly, you're a human being. Special in your own way, so you shouldn't aim to be other than that. Or else, you're nothing at all. Choose your balance every day. Choose you every second

A post shared by Trans Disney (@trans.disney) on Aug 20, 2017 at 7:47am PDT

Did you hear about that tweet suggesting that Mulan was transgender? Many people got on fire and said that portraying her as such is offensive. Well… I thought I should do something about it So here’s my non-binary version of Mulan. Because our identity is a radical element that goes beyond gender stereotypes and roles. It’s all up to me. It's all up to you. Also, with this post I’m starting a new style where Trans Disney characters wear modern clothes and accessories, in an attempt to more accurately portray our community. What are your thoughts about it?

A post shared by Trans Disney (@trans.disney) on Aug 19, 2017 at 8:18am PDT

Strength doesn't only come from your body. It also come from your identity.

A post shared by Trans Disney (@trans.disney) on Aug 12, 2017 at 7:33pm PDT

I grew up being told that girls and women are expected to have long hair, wear a skirt or a dress, and why not wear cute jewelry? As someone who was assigned female at birth and identifies as non-binary, I knew I had to cut my hair short, not wear skirts or dresses, and possibly avoid cute jewelry... so that I could challenge people's, and ultimately, my own version of beauty. It was my way to love myself, and try and make everyone love me for who I am. -ESMERALDA **Disclaimer: project not endorsed by Disney. B&W photos found on Google search and redesigned by @trans.disney

A post shared by Trans Disney (@trans.disney) on Aug 22, 2017 at 7:10am PDT