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UAE bans Disney-Pixar film Lightyear over same-sex relationship characters

UAE bans Disney-Pixar film Lightyear over same-sex relationship characters

The film is centred around the Buzz Lightyear action figure character from the popular Toy Story franchise.
14 Jun, 2022

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Monday banned Walt Disney-Pixar's animated feature film Lightyear from screening in cinemas because it features characters in a same-sex relationship.

The film would not be licensed for screening in the country as it violated the nation's media content standard, the Ministry of Youth and Culture's media regulatory office wrote on Twitter.

Media Regulatory Office Executive Director Rashid Khalfan Al Nuaimi later told Reuters the film was banned because of the inclusion of "homosexual" characters in several scenes.

A Disney representative did not immediately respond to emailed Reuters questions on the ban, which drew praise from some on social media in the country.

Like many other Middle East and Muslim nations, same-sex relationships are criminalised in the UAE, a Gulf country of about 10 million people where most of the population are foreigners.

Lightyear, which had been advertised by cinemas in the UAE for release on June 16, is centred around the Buzz Lightyear action figure character from the popular Toy Story franchise.

The film features Chris Evans as the voice of Buzz and Uzo Aduba as Alisha Hawthorne. Aduba's character is in a relationship with another woman, whom she kisses in the film.

Some social media users said depicting same-sex relationships was against the religion and culture of the UAE while others said children should not be exposed to such imagery.

Ahead of Monday's decision, an Arabic hashtag calling for the film not to be shown in the UAE was trending on Twitter.

Films featuring same-sex relationships have in the past been banned by regulators in Muslim-majority nations, while others with profanity or illicit drug use are sometimes censored.

The UAE's media regulatory office in December had announced that international versions of films would be shown in the country.

Comments

Queen Jun 14, 2022 10:49am
Good decision.
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It's me Jun 14, 2022 11:01am
Good to see UAE showing courage to confront uncultured, immoral and uncivilised content!
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Anonymouseee Jun 14, 2022 11:10am
Excellent step.
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Saad Ahmed Jun 14, 2022 11:34am
It is a matter of time, this issue will be legalize in UAE.
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Patricia Jun 14, 2022 12:30pm
And as a Christian, I agree! Protect our children from this filth.
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SAk Jun 14, 2022 12:50pm
By looking at new movies and cartoons looks like a big majority of west comprises of homosexuals and lesbians. Or the segment of society who over the years promoted to make it as a normal human behavior are too strong. Not a long time ago this behaviour was considered wrong in all major religions and societies.
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Sama Jun 14, 2022 12:55pm
Sad to see medieval ideas in 2022
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It's me Jun 14, 2022 12:59pm
@Saad Ahmed it's better to think of positives of present rather lament on negatives of future.
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NYS Jun 14, 2022 01:01pm
Applaud for the sensorship board
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Zurara Jun 14, 2022 01:05pm
This shouldn't be a news, this is an understood thing.
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Anonymous Jun 14, 2022 02:15pm
Lesbians should protest.
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GH hheheh Jun 14, 2022 02:25pm
In next 10 years, UAE will allow it
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Hamed Jun 14, 2022 02:36pm
@Queen yes, definitely.
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Khalid Jun 14, 2022 06:35pm
Sad to see disney corrupting material for children.
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Logical Jun 14, 2022 11:44pm
So should pakistan
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Lillie Teel Jun 18, 2022 10:56pm
Yes good somebody is standing up for what's right!! The entire country had become obsessed with doing everything the way homosexuals desires like no one else rights matter. We received all important. It's just plain wrong
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SuidAfrikaKing Jun 19, 2022 01:04am
Very good. The west is trying hard to push such despicable things into animation of all things. Same sex marriage is amoral and despite it being allowed shoudnt be expopsed to kids saying its okay. The good book preaches about tolerance but it is shameful. Well done
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