Photo: Pixar
A movie theater in Oklahoma posted “warning” signs aboutLightyearcontaining a gay kiss — and told patrons it would fast-forward over the scene during its screenings.
The inclusion of the same-sex embrace caused controversy among some markets, as countries overseas like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates went as far as toban it from being released altogether.
In the town of Kingfisher, Oklahoma, the local cinema 89er Theatre posted signs on its doors “warning” parents about the kiss and said they’d fast-forward over the scene, according toKFOR.
The sign read: “Warning. Attention Parents: The management of this theatre discovered after booking ‘Lightyear’ that there is a same-sex kissing scene within the first 30 minutes of the Pixar movie. We will do all we can to fast-forward through that scene, but it might not be exact. We apologize for any inconvenience this late discovery of this scene causes.”
The 89er Theatre did not respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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One local mom told KFOR that the sign “upset” her: “I don’t want my child to be afraid of anyone based on who they love or what their orientation is. And I feel like that poster breeds fear.” Another local woman toldNBC Newsthat she thinks the sign is “bigoted” and “cruel.”
“I told them that it was completely insulting for them to censor a same-gender kiss when they’ve never done this to an opposite-gender kiss. I will never see a movie at this theater while under this ownership,” she added.
About the controversy some people find withLightyear’s diversity, Evans, 41, toldReuters Television, “the real truth isthose people are idiots.”
“There’s always going to be people who are afraid and unaware and trying to hold on to what was before, but those people die off like dinosaurs,” he added. “I think the goal is to pay them no mind, march forward and embrace the growth that makes us human.”
Behind the scenes,Lightyearproducer Galyn Susman toldThe Mercury Newslast week that Disney was “supportive” of including a lesbian couple in the movie, “but there was definite pushback on having that kiss” shown onscreen like it ultimately is.
As actress AdubatoldVanity Fair, “It’s incredible, and a real hats off to Disney and Pixar for having that kiss be a part of this story. The kiss is a greeting and a gesture of love that is tender. It does establish who they are as people, but it is not the singular identifier for who either of them are. Seeing a loving gay couple in a meaningful way is important for everybody.”
source: people.com
