Disney/Pixar’s animated film ‘Onward’ is banned in multiple Middle East markets due to a lesbian reference by male-identified screenwriter Lena Waithe, 35.
In the movie, about two teenage elf brothers in a mythical world, there is a passing reference to a lesbian relationship uttered by Waithe’s genderless character, a purple unicorn cyclops officer named Specter.
Middle East censors objected to the line: “It’s not easy being a new parent – my girlfriend’s daughter got me pulling my hair out, okay?”
Waithe’s animated cyclops officer made history as Disney’s first openly homosexual character, according to Deadline.com.
But censors in Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have banned the film from showing in any theaters within their territories.
Russia, which is notoriously anti-homosexual, changed the word “girlfriend” to “partner” and allowed the movie to show in theaters.
Onward earned $2 million in Thursday previews in North America, according to Deadline.com. The movie tracking $37 million – $40 million in opening weekend ticket sales.
