US Theatre Faces Backlash For Warning Over Same-Sex Kiss In Lightyear Film

A cinema in the US has come under fire for displaying a warning sign for parents ahead of Lightyear.

The 89er theatre in Oklahoma displayed the poster in its window ahead of its showings of the 2022 comedy adventure, warning parents of the same sex kiss.

However, the sign has faced backlash from locals who have called it 'completely insulting'.

The poster states: "The management of this theatre discovered after booking 'Lightyear' that there is a same-sex kissing scene within the first 30 minutes of the Pixar movie.

"We will do all we can to fast-forward through that scene, but it may not be exact.

"We apologise for any inconvenience this late discovery of this scene caused."

Patricia Kasbek, a 42-year-old Oklahoma resident, initially thought the poster was a joke and subsequently shared an image of it on social media. However, she soon realised the 'warning' was serious.

She told NBC: "After calling the theatre, asking them to remove the warning, her call went to voicemail.

"I told them that it was completely insulting for them to censor a same-gender kiss when they’ve never done this to an opposite-gender kiss."

The resident called the theatre 'bigoted' and 'cruel' and resolved to 'never see a movie at this theatre while under this ownership'.

Alex Wade, deputy director of Oklahomans for Equality – an organisation that seeks equal rights for LGBTQ+ individuals and families through intersectional advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center – also responded to the cinema's poster.

He said: "I am not shocked to see something like this happening in my state, but it does break my heart that young LGBTQ+ Oklahomans are made to feel like something is wrong with them.

"If this were a heterosexual couple, the theater would never even think of skipping it, because heterosexual couples are given the grace to be intimate without being shamed."

Lightyear has also faced a negative response over its same-sex kiss from several countries. The United Arab Emirates is among a number of countries trying to have the film banned.

Chris Evans, who voices Buzz Lightyear, has called the people who want to see the film banned 'idiots'.

"Every time there’s been social advancement as we wake up, the American story, the human story is one of constant social awakening and growth and that’s what makes us good," he told Reuters.

89er Theatre is said to have now taken down the sign.

UNILAD has contacted 89er Theatre for comment.

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact the LGBT Foundation on 0345 3 30 30 30, 10am–6pm Monday to Friday, or email [email protected]