Animated Film ‘Lightyear’ Sparks Controversy Over Same-Sex Kiss

Rabat – Disney and Pixar’s latest animated movie, Lightyear, has sparked worldwide controversy for featuring a kiss scene between two lesbian characters.

Many countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Kuwait, and China, have banned the film for promoting homosexuality.

The movie is expected to screen in Morocco’s Cinema Atlas in Rabat on June 22.

Meanwhile, the UAE’s Media Regulatory Office took to Twitter on Monday to announce that the animated film “is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country’s media content standards.” The film was initially scheduled for screening in the UAE on June 16.

Malaysia will reportedly ban the Lightyear film as well, and other Muslim-majority countries are expected to follow suit.

Other children’s movies featuring LGBTQ+ scenes and storylines have been heavily criticized and banned across the world.

In April, Saudi Arabia requested “LGBTQ+ references” be cut out from Disney’s “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” The film was eventually banned in the country.

In March, Journalist Christopher F.Rudo posted a video of a Disney staff meeting in which the company’s executive producer Layota Raveneau vowed more inclusivity in productions. She supported the “not-at-all-secret gay agenda,” in which LGBTQ+ characters are openly featured in Disney movies.

In the same video, Disney corporate president Katey Burke said that “as the mother of two queer children – one transgender child and one pansexual child,” she supports including more LGBTQIA characters, especially leads, in future Disney movies.

The Disney staff meeting came following Florida’s new law that bans teachers in the state of Florida from discussing LGBTQ+ topics with students unless they are in fourth grade or higher. Disney has denounced the law and vowed to fight it.

Opponents of the new bill said that the “Don’t Say Gay” bill will hurt and “alienate” LGBTQ+ children.

Studio executives initially cut out the same-sex kiss from the Lightyear movie but restored it following backlash from a group of LGBTQ+ Pixar employees.

Lightyear tells the story of Buzz Lightyear, a young astronaut who found himself stranded on a hostile planet alongside his captain and crew. While attempting to find their way back home, they face many difficulties and challenges.

The $200 million (MAD1.9 billion) film is expected to be a major draw for Disney, after taking a massive hit due to COVID-led disruptions.