The decision to include an openly gay (and first in the Disney universe) character in Disney’s live adaptation of Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson was met with mixed reactions. While some people welcomed the decision, others were seriously put off. And a theatre in Alabama (whose owners are against it) have decided to remove the movie from their schedule and listings.
Taking to Facebook to announce the news that their drive-in theatre would no longer be showing the new movie, the owners wrote:
“As of December 16th the Henagar Drive-In is under new ownership. Movies scheduled prior to that date and four weeks after this date were not scheduled by the new owners. That being said…It is with great sorrow that I have to tell our customers that we will not be showing Beauty and the Beast at the Henagar Drive-In when it comes out. When companies continually force their views on us we need to take a stand. We all make choices and I am making mine.“For those that do not know Beauty and the Beast is ‘premiering’ their first homosexual character. The producer also says at the end of the movie ‘there will be a surprise for same-sex couples.’ If we can not take our 11 year old grand daughter 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. I know there will be some that do not agree with this decision. That’s fine. We are first and foremost Christians. We will not compromise on what the Bible teaches. We will continue to show family oriented films so you can feel free to come watch wholesome movies without worrying about sex, nudity, homosexuality and foul language. Thank you for your support!”
The comments are being met with some support, but a majority of criticism on social media, with many pointing out the hypocrisy of removing Beauty and the Beast for including a homosexual character, when the theatre has already shown movies such as Passengers, which includes scenes of nudity and sex.