Pixar's 'Lightyear' Banned in Saudi Arabia Over Same-Sex Kiss

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Hollywood Reporter

The film follows 'Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,' 'West Side Story' and 'Eternals' on a growing list of major Disney titles to be blocked by Gulf censors due to the inclusion of LGBT scenes.

BY ALEX RITMAN

Disney’s run-in with Gulf censors has added another chapter.

Lightyear is latest film from the studio to be banned in various Middle East countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Sources tell THR the decision is linked to the inclusion of a same-sex kiss in Pixar’s Toy Story prequel spin-off. The scene, involving the female character Hawthorne (voiced by Uzo Aduba) and her partner, was originally cut from the film, but reinstated following the uproar surrounding a statement from Pixar employees claiming that Disney had been censoring “overtly gay affection” and Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s handling of Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill.

The UAE’s Media Regulatory Office announced on June 13 that the movie – due for release on June 16 – was not licensed for public screening due to its “violation of the country’s media content standards.”



Buzz Lightyear (voice of Chris Evans) in LIGHTYEAR. COURTESY OF DISNEY/PIXAR

Read more: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/lightyear-banned-gulf-saudi-lgbt-1235163872/

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1. That'll be here someday, given current trends n/t

[Magoo48]

2. This is the nation we want to "reset" with.

No same sex kiss but public beheadings are a-ok. wtf

[lonely bird]

3. At some point in time...

Hopefully before I die, I would love for the U.S. to tell the Saudis to fuck off.

Btw, I don’t care about the internal politics of the PGA but that being said I am extremely disappointed in Phil Mickelson.

[twodogsbarking]

4. From PGA tour commissioner

Monahan said, adding that he would ask "have you ever had to apologize for being a member of the PGA Tour?"

[lonely bird]

5. Weeellll...

I get your point. That being said the PGA has had its share of racism issues. Of course, I don’t think they ever had any journalists murdered.

[IronLionZion]

6. Saudis are not our best allies

it would be sweet if one day we didn't need their oil and investment money

[EndlessWire]

7. They are not our friends. n/t