In a surprising development, a theater in Alabama has decided not to screen Disney’s live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast due to its inclusion of an openly gay character. This decision follows the revelation from director Bill Condon that LeFou, portrayed by Josh Gad, shares a dance with another man in the film, marking a significant moment of representation in a Disney movie.
While many hailed this move as a step toward inclusivity, Henagar Drive-In, the theater in question, took to Facebook—only to later delete the post—to explain their stance, citing their Christian beliefs. The owners stated, “When companies continually force their views on us we need to take a stand. If we cannot take our 11-year-old granddaughter and 8-year-old grandson to see a movie, we have no business watching it. If I can’t sit through a movie with God or Jesus sitting by me then we have no business showing it.”
Their argument rests on the belief that exposing children to themes of homosexuality could be harmful, equating it with other adult themes like sex, nudity, and foul language. This raises questions about their understanding of the world around them. Are they really shielding their grandchildren from the realities of society, or are they simply imposing their beliefs on what should be a shared cultural experience? It’s interesting to note that they seem more concerned about a dance between two men than the film’s other more troubling elements, such as a young woman falling in love with a beast or being held captive by a man desperate to force marriage.
This backlash isn’t isolated. A petition circulating from Life Petitions is urging followers to boycott Beauty and the Beast, claiming Disney is promoting a “harmful sexual political agenda,” and it has garnered nearly 80,000 signatures. This kind of resistance only fuels the desire to support inclusive storytelling even more. Honestly, seeing a theater refuse to show the film only makes me want to buy more tickets than I originally planned. Disney’s efforts to normalize gay characters are long overdue, and those who stand against it are on the wrong side of history.
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In summary, the decision by Henagar Drive-In to cancel screenings of Beauty and the Beast over its LGBTQ+ representation highlights the ongoing tensions between personal beliefs and the push for inclusivity in entertainment. It’s crucial to recognize the significance of these portrayals and support efforts that promote diversity in storytelling.