The Importance Of Ethan Clade's Strange World Journey According To Jaboukie White-Young

During a presser attended by Looper, our very own Jeff Ewing asked Jaboukie Young-White why Ethan Clade is such an important addition to the Disney canon.

"I love Ethan's character just because there is so much that he's figuring out at this time, and his identity, and so many facets of his identity are all of him at once," Young-White said. "It's not a story about him coming out, it's not a story about him trying to find acceptance for his sexuality, it's just Ethan coming into himself wholly, fully, and in an environment that is ready to support him. And I think in any medium that's really interesting, and in animation that's huge."

While Disney Animation has boasted supporting queer characters before — most recently in "Lightyear" — Ethan will be the first ever gay protagonist in a Disney Animated feature film, per Animation Magazine. Young-White, too, is openly gay. 

"Strange World" is slated to open exclusively in theaters on November 23.