"Frozen" has been controversial since its inception. The film has been ripped apart by various people to analyze its worth as a feminist movie, as entertainment, and as possible brainwashing for children. People questioned the movies motives. Is it actually as feminist as it seems? Is it feminist at all? Is it okay for a Disney film to "push a feminist agenda"? Was Disney pandering to a liberal crowd?

Some of the same questions are now being asked of the upcoming sequel. The hashtag #GiveElsaAGirlfriend has been making headlines and gaining traction. With that traction, it has also gained significant backlash. The arguments in favor of Elsa gaining a girlfriend are simple:

"#GiveElsaAGirlfriend because if kids can handle seeing characters fall in love with bees and monsters, a lesbian couple won't shock them"

"#GiveElsaAGirlfriend isn't just about representing LGBT, it's about normalising it, otherwise we can't ever move forward"

"My friends wouldn't have been afraid of coming out if Disney made a princess gay or a prince! #GiveElsaAGirlfriend"

"#GiveElsaAGirlfriend because half of Frozen is one big metaphor for being in the closet, getting outed, and coming to terms with yourself..."

The originator of the hashtag, Alexis Isabel, had this to say about the movement:

"The entertainment industry has given us girls who have fallen in love with beasts, ogres who fall for humans, and even grown women who love bees. But we’ve never been able to see the purity in a queer relationship."

Allowing Queen Elsa to have a girlfriend would mean so much to the queer community. Throughout a queer person's entire life, they repeatedly watch straight couples fall in love and get married. Heterosexually is depicted as normal and the default. A lack of representation is one of the problems the gender and sexual minority (GSM) community faces from childhood on. #GiveElsaAGirlfriend would mean the world to so many people.

Even "Frozen's" stars, like Idina Menzel, are supportive of the idea. Menzel's support is not surprising considering her origination of a lesbian role in Broadway's "Rent," but her positive reaction to the idea is incredibly important. Support from any big name--especially one so integral to the "Frozen" franchise--could help the idea garner credibility. I, personally, hope that Jonathan Groff, the voice actor of Kristoff, will soon announce his support. He has become a huge advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community since coming out after starring in "Spring Awakening."

However, the #GiveElsaAGirlfriend campaign has also inspired a ridiculous amount of backlash. Protests have come not just from homophobic individuals, but also people who identify with Elsa as she is now. Here are some of the comments from an article on the topic:

"It's annoying I'm sorry but I feel like we are forcing this and so many topics like this down everyone's throats"

"I will never support gays and what they stand for, but I will tolerate them. However putting a gay relationship in a movie that kids will watch is very uncalled for. If Disney wants to do something different make it an interracial relationship instead of a homosexual one. Today's children are already being raised in a dysfunctional age and to see that on a Disney movie would make it even worse. Walt Disney would be ashamed if the Disney corporation put a lesbian couple into Frozen."

":( :( :( kids don't need to be concerned with sexuality and id say it's the parents job to tell their child at whatever age they feel is appropriate!!!! The kids don't understand 'mommy why is Elsa with a girl?' And the mom has to explain wether she feels the child is ready or not...."

"Um, no. Elsa doesn't need a date, boy or girl. She is awesome the way she is. Most parents/people don't support gay/lesbian rights. They won't let their children watch such a show as that. I can tell you, my parents wouldn't let me watch a movie like that. No way. Just keep this in mind, these movies are watched by children."

"Why do children have to be exposed to adult sexuality issues! Can't you just let kids be kids!!! Christ! Disney don't betray me!!! Don't force this crap down children's throats"

I find these reactions to be incredibly disturbing. They are hurtful, hateful, and discriminatory. Furthermore, they do not make any sense. Each one is completely nonsensical. These people think that children will be brainwashed by seeing a gay couple in a children's movie. Oh no! If Elsa is gay, she will convert my child! Obviously, seeing a couple of a specific sexual orientation portrayed in media does not under any circumstances affect a child's own sexual orientation. If so, every single person in our universe would be straight. Sexuality does not work like that.

Then people use the argument that children should not be exposed to adult issues and parents should be the judge of when to explain homosexuality to their kids. This does not make any sense to me. No one makes a big fuss about Sleeping Beauty or Snow White being kissed by princesses when they are unconscious; those situations are practically sexual assault. No one cares that Pocahontas was, in reality, raped and enslaved by John Smith and his crew. No one cares that Mufasa is killed by Scar directly in front of his son. Are those things children should be watching? Children are allowed to watch Bambi's mom get shot. Kids are allowed to watch Mulan almost get murdered for being a woman. Kids are allowed to watch 12, 14, and 16 year old girls give up their dreams, lives, voices, and all of their agency to marry a man. But kids are not allowed to see two women in a romantic relationship???

Another argument above is that no one supports gay couples, so Disney would lose a lot of money and business. This is also blatantly untrue! Statistics from March of this year gathered by the Pew Research Center show that a majority of citizens of the United States support same-sex marriage: more than 55 percent of people! In reality, though, it does not matter if a person does not support it--it is totally, completely, undoubtedly legal. Another fact which decisively proves this argument untrue is the fact that modern movies with more diversity are doing significantly better in the box office than movies starring middle-class, straight, white characters. "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" is proof of this. It is the highest grossing film in North America ever, and its main characters are a woman, a black man, and a latino man. Disney would in no circumstance lose money from including a queer character--especially a character as beloved as Elsa.

The last argument I see, and the one I think has the most credibility is the idea that Elsa gaining a significant other of any kind would ruin what she stands for. In "Frozen," Elsa proves that she does not need anyone except her sister. She does not need romance to be fulfilled; she just needs the love and support of Anna. I understand that Elsa, as she is, is an important role model for young girls. She teaches independence and strength. However, she can do that exact same thing even with a significant other. Being single and being independent are not synonymous. Elsa can still be a role model while being in a relationship. In fact, she could be an even more powerful role model for independence if she were given a significant other. She could prove that self love and acceptance is far more important than romantic love through an actual relationship.

I support #GiveElsaAGirlfriend whole-heartedly. I am absolutely ashamed by the negative outcry it has inspired, and frankly embarrassed by all of the homophobic and hateful people who have spoken out against something which could inspire a new generation to love their fellow humans more. Because that is what this is all about: love.