What would Disney princesses be like in the real world? Many people, myself included, don’t love Disney princesses because they live in fairy tales. While that’s the point of them (I get it…), it’s also helpful for moms and kids alike to imagine the princesses as being like us–and facing similar problems that we do, like a world without Obamacare and safe and affordable access to birth control and abortions.
This is why I love the collaboration between illustrator Maritza Lugo and writer Danielle Sepulveres–they are illustrating Disney princesses, like Belle and Ariel, as dealing with the realities and implications that the repeal will have for millions of Americans, especially women.
The results are pretty amazing: Imagine Pocahontas being denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition, or Belle having to pay for a new birth control prescription, for instance. Lugo and Sepulveres posted on Instagram about their project’s intention, stating:
“In revamping @daniellesep & my Disney Princess goes to the Gyno series, we had to think about a lot of things. Firstly, it’s the GOP’s war on women. With our incoming president-elect being a complete Neanderthal and bringing along a gaggle of idiots, it’s only right that we start fighting back utilizing our god given talents.
Second of all, it’s this insane idea of “taking back” America from outsiders or “making America great again”. America has always been a refuge for those seeking a better life for them and theirs. America would not and could not be great without its “outsiders”. America has always been great for white cis males & it’s time it was great for everyone who’s sweat, blood & tears have created this nation.”
Here are some of my favorites below–because they poignantly illustrate the realities behind being a woman whose reproductive choices are becoming limited:
“Belle was super happy to get birth control. As someone who was dependent on it, finding out she was denied her refill will only make Belle’s life a little harder. Birth control helps women in so many ways and it isn’t just for preventing pregnancy,” Mariza said on the Instagram caption accompanying this illustration. “No-copay birth control was a hallmark of ACA, allowing 55 million women to have more control over their bodies. Now insurance companies would no longer be required to cover contraceptives, and pregnancy would be considered a ‘pre-existing condition.'”
“So today’s illustration has to do with family planning and how we’re afraid it could be affected by this new administration, based on people like Mike Pence, Dan Coats, and honestly the entirety of the Texas GOP. Also considering that it’s Jasmine and Aladdin looking for some family planning? Here’s hoping they don’t have to deal with Trumps Muslim registry first.”
“Beyond the troubling issue of what the future holds for the pipeline is healthcare overall for Native American groups. Did you know that they are not allocated the same level of federal health care as other people? But it’s likely to expect that Trump will parade into this unique area of health care like John Smith, plundering and damaging all the way through.”
Check out Lugo’s Instagram here.
