Pete

Based on real events, the story focuses on Pete, a child growing up in 1975 who wants to play on the boys Little League Baseball team. However, because Pete is a girl, the team captain only agrees Pete can play if she disguises herself as a boy. Though her teammates are supportive, conflict arises when visiting attendees discover Pete’s secret.

Going by what is explicitly stated in the short and the synopsis on the official short’s website, Pete is cisgender and the story fits a gender creative categorization. However, in a few interviews with Bret Parker, the director, and Pete Barma, the inspiration for Pete, the two have discussed the character’s gender identity. In the 2023 Animation World Network article “‘Pete’ Unpacks 1970’s Gender Norms and a Mother’s Unwavering Love,” interviewer Victoria Davis asked a question regarding Pete’s identity to which Parker responded:

It was important for us to represent the time period and, for Pete and mom, the language and understanding of any language around trans or non-binary children did not exist in 1975. Mom instinctively understood and supported Pete’s chosen identity but, for her, Pete was still her daughter. Therefore, she defended Pete in the only way she knew how to at the time. This incredible defense, love, and support, combined with the complexity of not understanding what it meant to be trans informed the rest of Pete’s life and identity.

With this aspect of the film in mind, I have decided to include the implicit and transgender tags to reflect this interpretation and perspective about Pete.