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Disney slammed for kowtowing to HOMOPHOBIC regimes in the Middle East by censoring its films

It has emerged that the company altered several of its recent feature films to appease the leadership in China, Russia, and the Middle East

Disney sparked outrage after it emerged that the entertainment giant voluntarily cut "overtly gay affection" from its films to cater to homophobic foreign governments, while fiercely protesting Florida's so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill.

The controversial bill was passed by the Senate of Florida in order to prohibit "classroom discussion about sexual orientation or gender identity." Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stripped Disney of its "special status" in the state that enabled them to enjoy tax benefits. However, despite anti-homophobia protests led by Disney employees, it has now emerged that the company altered several of its recent feature films to appease the leadership in China, Russia, and the Middle East.

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According to the Daily Mail, an upcoming Pixar film entitled 'Lightyear' -- depicting the story of Toy Story character Buzz Lightyear -- came under fire after studio bosses opted to cut a same-sex kissing scene from the movie. The movie reportedly features a female character named Hawthorne who is in a relationship with another woman. Speaking to Variety magazine, sources close to the production said that Hawthorne's relationship was not altered but execs decided to cut the kissing scene in order to avoid controversy.

On the other hand, some insiders alleged the scene was reinstated after Disney employees called on the company to take action against HB 1557. "Even if creating LGBTQIA+ content was the answer to fixing the discriminatory legislation in the world, we are barred from creating it," Pixar employees bemoaned in their letter dated March 9. "Beyond the 'inspiring content' we are allowed to create, we demand action," it added. However, it's unclear whether Disney will censor the scene for its sizeable international markets after the movie is released in June.

Another movie altered for conservative markets is 'Onward' -- a Pixar feature that tells the story of two elf brothers who embark on a magical quest to spend time with their late father -- released in February 2020. One cop character in the film, Officer Spector, was reportedly in a lesbian relationship. The character mentions her relationship during a discussion with another secondary character. "It’s not easy being a new parent – my girlfriend’s daughter got me pulling my hair out, okay?" she says. According to Deadline, the line sparked a backlash in several middle-eastern countries and was ultimately banned in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, Russia changed the world "girlfriend" to "partner" in the parenting scene, and local ads for the film reportedly avoided mentioning the character's gender.

In yet another instance, the Disney-owned Marvel franchise included a same-sex kiss in the 2021 superhero film 'Eternals', in which the character of Phastos is married to a man named Ben Stoss and the couple raises a son named Jack. One scene shows Phastos kissing Ben, but that moment was removed for audiences in the Arab Emirates, Egypt, Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan, Ethiopia, Palestine, Syria, and Turkey. According to Out magazine, all scenes of physical intimacy -- including those in heterosexual relationships -- were cut from the film.

Disney faced a major backlash online, with many accusing the entertainment giant of hypocrisy and pushing LGBT propaganda where it was convenient.

"So when it comes down to making more money their so-called morals evaporate?!" Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies tweeted.

"Disney cuts LGBT content from its Russian movies to ensure access to market… yet continues to ram it down the throats of customers in more liberal countries like Britain & the USA. It’s ALWAYS about profit to phony progressives!" British politician Martin Daubney commented.

"So it was possible cutting crap? How about removing the s*** completely in America? No one needs that," one Twitter user wrote.

"And yet they peddle this LGBT WXYZ BLT alphabet nonsense in America where they literally represent <6% of the country," another offered.

"Good and it should be banned everywhere. It’s supposed to be for kids' entertainment not brainwashing them," someone else added.

"Why does LGBT need to be in kids' movies anyway! How about just make movies instead of pushing an agenda," another chimed in.