Arts & Entertainment

Russian lawmaker urges ban on ‘Beauty and the Beast’ for ‘gay propoganda’

the film could be banned for LeFou’s sexuality

Published

9 years ago

March 6, 2017

Mariah Cooper

(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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Sports

‘Heated Rivalry’ stars to participate in Olympic torch relay

Games to take place next month in Italy

Published

12 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Staff reports

(Photo courtesy of Crave HBO Max)

“Heated Rivalry” stars Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie will participate in the Olympic torch relay ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics that will take place next month in Italy.

HBO Max, which distributes “Heated Rivalry” in the U.S., made the announcement on Thursday in a press release.

The games will take place in Milan and Cortina from Feb. 6-22. The HBO Max announcement did not specifically say when Williams and Storrie will participate in the torch relay.

Bars & Parties

Here’s where to watch ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ with fellow fans

Entertainers TrevHER and Grey host event with live performance

Published

14 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

(Photo by New Africa/Bigstock)

Spark Social Events will host “Ru Paul’s Drag Race S18 Watch Party Hosted by Local Drag Queens” on Friday, Jan. 23 at 8 p.m.

Drag entertainers TrevHER and Grey will provide commentary and make live predictions on who’s staying and who’s going home. Stick around after the show for a live drag performance. The watch party will take place on a heated outdoor patio and cozy indoor space.

This event is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Bars & Parties

‘Queer Eye’ watch party set for Friday

DC Center to host event

Published

14 hours ago

January 23, 2026

Tinashe Chingarande

Members of the cast of 'Queer Eye' speak at an event at Crush Dance Bar in August. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

The DC Center is hosting a watch party for an episode of the 10th and final season of “Queer Eye,” which was filmed in D.C. The screening will be held on Friday, Jan. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Center.

The screening will last 45-55 minutes, with community time both before and after the episode. Drinks and snacks will be provided and organizers promise a “surprise or two.” For information on tickets, visit the DC Center’s website.