Lightyear banned in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Malaysia because of gay kiss
Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ has been banned in multiple counties due to the fact the animated film shows a same-sex kiss between two characters – a scene parent company Disney initially took out, but reinstated following complaints from offended staff.
As of Monday, a total of nine countries have barred citizens from seeing the Toy Story spinoff, set to hit theatres later this week.
The ban has been largely confined to the Middle East, affecting markets in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar – but it has also stretched to other Muslim nations such as Malaysia and Indonesia.
The scene in question reportedly shows the female lead in film, voiced by actress Uzo Aduba, kissing her ‘female partner’ – a display the nations’ governments take issue with because it goes against their culture and religion.
Other Middle Eastern nations were quick to follow the Emirates’ example, with Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar all implementing their own bans Monday.
