The inclusion of an “exclusively gay moment” in a Disney film does represent a step forward, given that non-heterosexual relationships are depicted so infrequently in mainstream animation that the internet basically exploded when it seemed like a lesbian couple might appear in the background in Finding Dory.

However, several critics have questioned whether the relationship between LeFou and Gaston is really as revolutionary as Disney has suggested. The fact that LeFou’s sexuality is confined to just a “moment”, rather than being an established part of his character, has been seen as problematic by some – as has his sense of confusion about his homosexuality. (Surely, after all, children would be more inspired by seeing a happy, confident, non-conflicted gay man?)

In addition, LeFou is one of the film’s villains – and, as Marissa Martinelli points out in Slate, Disney has a long history of “queer-coded villains”, from “The Little Mermaid’s drag-inspired Ursula to The Lion King’s suave, effeminate Scar”.

It remains to be seen when Disney will deliver an out-and-proud LGBTQ hero – but we live in hope.

About time, too: Beauty and the Beast features Disney’s “first ever” interracial kiss