The Controversial Gay Character

The Controversial Gay Character

What is more offensive bestiality or a gay character? The world’s reaction to Disney’s new movie Beauty and the Beast may be able to answer that question.

The controversy is a scene in the movie where the supporting character LeFou, is depicted as having a romantic fascination for Gaston and is shown dancing with another man in a ballroom. This scene is three seconds long. The movie’s director, Bill Condon, stated that LeFou, has “a nice, exclusively gay moment.”

As of March 23, the movie has earned over $350 million world wide, but it has also been banned in the US and abroad. A drive-in movie theater in rural Henagar, Alabama said that it would not show the movie because it has a gay character. “We will not compromise on what the Bible teaches,” the drive-in said in a Facebook post. Henagar has a population of 2,344 and Disney did not respond when asked if the film was set to show at this particular theater.

In Kuwait, the nation’s government-owned cinema company, which runs 11 out of the 13 theaters in the Persian Gulf country, announced that all screenings had been canceled and offered a full refund to anyone who had purchased a ticket.

One board member of the National Cinema Co. told the Associated Press, “We were requested to stop the screening and further censor the movie for things that were deemed offensive by the Ministry of Information’s censorship department.”

The treatment of gays and lesbians in the Middle East is mixed. In Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, homosexuality is criminalized and can lead to fines, lashings and imprisonment. In Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Yemen, it can also lead to the death penalty. But in Jordan, Bahrain and Iraq, homosexuality is not illegal.

Kuwait’s ban comes after censors in Malaysia tried to edit out the controversial scenes. Disney refused to edit and was not going to release the film there but then Malaysian authorities decided to allow the film to be released in its entirety.

The movie has also stirred controversy in Russia. Vitaly Milonov, a lawmaker, tried to get the film banned. But it was allowed to be screened uncensored, accompanied by a warning that it was not suitable for children younger than 16.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/03/movies/beauty-and-the-beast-ban-alabama-drive-in-gay-character.html?_r=0

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New on “The List:” Chez Fonfon

Birmingham Circle

A Birmingham reviewer gave us the dish on this delicious restaurant:

“The drinks are great. The service is on par with any great fine dining restaurant without being overly stuffy. The menu changes, but some things never change. The burger is right up there with…”

Check out this reviewer’s mouthwatering review here on our Birmingham page under Restaurants.

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New on “The List:” Catering By Bellinis in Birmingham, Alabama

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A Birmingham reviewer gave us all a great catering contact for their city:

“Catering by Bellinis is very supportive of it’s LGBTQ employees as well as the LGBTQ Community as a whole. They have supported both financially and with product events in the Birmingham area. Support those that support you!”

This is fantastic! Interested in contacting them for an event? You can find this review in the Events category of our Birmingham page.

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New on “The List:” Nou Veau Salon & Day Spa

A local reviewer in Mobile, Alabama had this to say about her favorite local spa:

“I moved to Mobile in late 2013. As a pretty far left leaning person, I was a little worried about living here. But my concerns were put to rest when I walked into Nou Veau Salon and Spa one day. I had no particular reason for choosing the salon. I had a hair emergency that needed to be fixed immediately, so I wandered into Nou Veau with my mascara running down my face. By the time I left the salon, my hair was so fabulous that I went to a drag show at the recommendation of some of the LGBT and LGBT-friendly staff!

I have had several different services at Nou Veau and have been pleased with every one of them. From the minute Peter greets you at the door to the time he says goodbye, you will always feel welcome. Krista, my stylist, is amazing, open, and professional. The folks at Nou Veau truly celebrate individuality, respect differences, and welcome outsiders with open arms. I highly recommend the salon and the people who work there! You will look and feel great and just may leave with a few new friends.”

Curious where Mobile is on Hayden’s List? We haven’t come out there yet! Raise your voices by submitting reviews and let’s help Mobile “come out!”

Submit reviews here!

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