Arts & Entertainment
Russian lawmaker urges ban on ‘Beauty and the Beast’ for ‘gay propoganda’
the film could be banned for LeFou’s sexuality
(Screenshot via YouTube.)
A Russian lawmaker wants to ban Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast” remake because it features a gay character, the first in the history of Disney’s mainstream films.
Director Bill Condon announced that Gaston’s sidekick LeFou (Josh Gad) would have an “exclusively gay moment” in the film.
According to Russian news outlet Ria Novosti, State Duma deputy Vitaly Milon wrote a letter to Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky urging a ban on the film for “blatant, shameless propaganda of sin and perverted sexual relationships.” The ban would follow Russia’s “gay propaganda” law that prohibits media with that content from being shown to minors.
So far there has not been a ruling on the film, which opens in Russia on March 16.
In the U.S., one Alabama theater announced it would not screen the film because of the gay character. The Henagar Drive-In Theatre wrote in a since-deleted Facebook post that, “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.”
“Beauty and the Beast” opens in the U.S. on March 17.
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
I hope you will consider supporting our vital mission by becoming a Blade member today. At a time when reliable, accurate LGBTQ news is more essential than ever, your contribution helps make it possible. With a monthly gift starting at just $7, you’ll ensure that the Blade remains a trusted, free resource for the community — now and for years to come. Click here to help fund LGBTQ journalism.
The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.Â
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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