The government of Russia recently announced that it will consider banning Disney's upcoming film,
Beauty and the Beast, from the country's theaters if it formally decides that the film violates the country's ban on what it terms, "gay propaganda". Homosexuality is deeply frowned upon in Russia and the fact that there is an openly gay character in the film may cause it to be banned there.
The current legal ruling, and law, in Russia is that children and minors are prohibited from being exposed to any manner of "gay propaganda". Homosexuality was a serious crime in Russia and was not decriminalized until 1993. It was always considered a severe psychiatric affliction and disorder until it was removed from Russian psychiatric disorder lists in 1999. Despite these recent legal rulings and actions, homosexuality is, for the most part, not welcomed in Russia.
In the film, the character of LeFou, played by actor Josh Gad, is openly gay an has a crush on the character of Gaston who is portrayed by actor Luke Evans. It is the first time in Disney history that an openly homosexual character has been portrayed in a Disney film or Disney content of any kind.
Gad said of the situation that,
"As subtle as it is, I do think it’s going to be effective and I do think it’s important."
The film's director, Bill Condon, said that,
"It’s somebody who’s just realizing that he has these feelings. And Josh makes something really subtle and delicious out of it. And that’s what has its pay-off at the end, which I don’t want to give away. But it is a nice, exclusively gay moment in a Disney movie.”
Russia's Minister of Culture, Vladimir Medinsky, has been urged by various Russian politicians to quickly see and review the film prior to the March 16 Russian release date so that the ministry can determine if the film does, indeed, violate any of the country's legal restrictions on homosexuality and "gay propaganda". Medinsky publicly stated that he will review the film after it has been obtained through proper channels and with all proper paperwork in place.
As the controversy heats up, it was recently reported that a theater in Alabama will not show the film due to the film's homosexual content.
