Chris Evans Frustrated With ‘Lightyear’s’ Ban In 14 Countries, Says LGBTQ+ Representation Should Be A Norm In Films
Recently, we heard the news that UAE has banned the movie Lightyear for featuring a same-sex kiss. Multiple countries have followed suit which is heartbreaking and honestly, unfair. Chris Evans, who is voicing Buzz Lightyear has been asked for his opinions on the matter and to say that he is unhappy with the conservative mindsets is an understatement.
Lightyear, a film starring Chris Evans, has been blacklisted in 14 countries due to it depicting a same-sex couple sharing a brief kiss. The couple’s relationship breached United Arab Emirates’ media content regulations, so the Pixar film will not be released there. Previously, in an interview with Variety, Evans was questioned about the scene that has sparked controversy.
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While Disney had initially cut the same-sex kiss from the movie, they chose to put it back in after facing backlash from the audience. Moreover, the company decided to make exceptions for no regions or territories which might have an issue with the LGBTQ+ representation. Chris Evans said to Variety, “I mean, it’s great. As great as it is — and you know, I’ve been asked the question a few times — it’s nice, and it’s wonderful, it makes me happy.” He then added that it is “tough to not be a little frustrated” with the fact that this sparked this much debate in the first place.
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Also Read: UAE Bans Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ Over Scene That Shows Two Women Kissing. Ugh, Here We Go Again
Evans said that this is the type of “news.” He added that the idea is to get to a place where this is the standard and that this does not have to be unfamiliar waters. He said that he wants to get to a point where this type of portrayal and representation is how films are made. Evans further added that it is an honour to be a party to a project that is taking those steps; however, the goal is to look back on this time and be surprised that it took us this long to become this open and accepting.
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After UAE several Muslim and West Asian countries have also opposed the same-sex kiss in Lightyear. 14 countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, the Palestinian Territories, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Syria have opposed the scene or have completely banned the release of the film.
