‘Lightyear’ Banned in Several Middle Eastern Countries Over Same-Gender Kiss – Parade Magazine
Pixar/Disney’s Lightyear has been banned in parts of the Middle East.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the prequel spinoff will not be allowed to play in theaters in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates because of the inclusion of same-gender characters.
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The outlet notes that the animated film, starring Chris Evans as the beloved Space Commander Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story, is being banned because of a kiss between Space Ranger Alisha Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) and her wife.
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On June 13 – just three days before the film’s slated June 16 release date – the UAE’s Media Regulatory Office tweeted that the movie was not licensed for public screenings as it is in “violation of the country’s media content standards.”
Since LGBTQ rights are not recognized across the Middle Eastern region, Lightyear joins previously-banned films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Eternals, and West Side Story that include LGBTQ topics, characters, and relationships.
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Earlier this year, Variety reported that the same-gender kiss was originally cut from the film before being reinstated following Disney and Pixar staff pushback claiming that Disney was censoring “overtly gay affection.” The joint statement also called out Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s lack of response to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” bill.