Top 10 Times LGBTQ+ Moments Were Cut from Films in Other Countries
#10: “Avengers: Endgame” (2019)
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This Marvel blockbuster was groundbreaking in many ways. Not only did it become the highest-grossing film of all time shortly after its release, it also marked a milestone for the MCU by featuring its first openly gay character. The role was played by co-director Joe Russo, in a brief cameo appearance. In the scene, Captain America attends a support group where a male member casually mentions going on a date with another man. Although the moment lasts just a couple of seconds, the Russian version altered some of the dialogue to downplay the romantic reference. This was done to align with the government’s restrictions on so-called “gay propaganda.”
#9: “Alien: Covenant” (2017)
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By now, movie fans in China have gotten used to receiving heavily edited versions of R-rated Hollywood films. But while that censorship typically focuses on toning down violence and gore, there was another glaring omission in the country’s version of “Alien: Covenant.” In the film, Michael Fassbender plays two identical cyborgs who share an intimate encounter, culminating in a kiss. This gay doppelganger smooch apparently crossed a line for Chinese censors, leading to its removal alongside a couple of violent scenes. In all, about six minutes of the film were edited out before its release in the country. Interestingly, scenes featuring the only actual gay couple in the movie were left untouched.
#8: “Rocketman” (2019)
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At the peak of his career, legendary singer Elton John led a life of excess, marked by wild parties and drug-fueled events. All of these were faithfully portrayed in his 2019 biopic “Rocketman.” As a result, the film was outrightly banned in Samoa and Egypt. Some other countries opted for seemingly milder measures. In Russia, the film’s distributor cut out about five minutes of content, notably excising scenes depicting intimate moments between same-sex partners. This decision drew heavy criticism from Elton John himself, as well as the filmmakers. A similar action was taken in Malaysia, which was bemoaned by local art critics as a step towards authoritarianism.
#7: “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (2019)
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Similar to “Avengers: Endgame,” “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” broke ground in the franchise, by including a kiss between two same-sex partners, a first for the intergalactic saga. As the Resistance celebrates their victory over the Final Order, two women share a kiss within the crowd. It’s a moment so brief, if you blink, you might miss it. While American viewers criticized this inclusion as an insignificant gesture, some fans abroad never even got to see it. The scene was completely cut out in the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. In the latter, this was done to retain the film’s original PG-13 rating, as including the scene would have necessitated a higher rating from the censors board.
#6: “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018)
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This 2018 biopic chronicles the life and legacy of iconic singer Freddie Mercury, with Rami Malek delivering an Oscar-winning performance. However, in China, several scenes referencing the sexuality of the late rock icon were scrubbed out entirely. This includes his band Queen performing in women’s clothing for the “I Want To Break Free” music video, and moments where Mercury discusses his sexuality with his fiancée. Some of these moments were essential to the storyline and created plot holes after they were excised. As if that wasn’t enough, one Chinese broadcaster censored Malek’s Oscar acceptance speech, editing out the part where he referred to Mercury as “a gay man.”
#5: “Eternals” (2021)
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2021’s “Eternals” boasted a diverse ensemble cast, including the MCU’s first openly gay superhero. Portrayed by Brian Tyree Henry, Phastos is depicted as married to his partner, Ben, with whom he has a son. In one scene, the two characters even share a kiss. However, the inclusion of such moments prevented the film from being released in several Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman. Authorities in these regions insisted on cutting out these scenes, but Disney refused to budge. Ultimately, to comply with regulations and secure screenings in countries like Egypt, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates, scenes featuring intimacy, regardless of the characters’ sexuality, were edited out.
#4: “Beauty and the Beast” (2017)
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The 2017 live-action remake of “Beauty and the Beast” sparked controversy even before its release. In an interview with Attitude magazine, director Bill Condon touted a “nice, exclusively gay moment” in the film, involving two male characters LeFou and Stanley. Upon publication, this statement quickly gained global attention. In Malaysia, the Film Censorship Board reacted by cutting out the scene before approving the film’s release. This decision, however, did not go down well with Disney. The production studio opted to pull the film from circulation if it couldn’t be released unchanged, and subsequently appealed the board’s ruling. Ultimately, the film was permitted to be shown without edits and received a PG-13 rating.
#3: “Onward” (2020)
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A passing comment made by a purple cyclops police officer in Pixar’s “Onward” led to the animated film getting banned in multiple Middle Eastern countries. Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia prevented “Onward” from showing in theaters due to the female character Specter making a reference to her “girlfriend’s daughter.” Other countries like Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Egypt allowed the movie to be screened, albeit with alterations to the line, changing it to “my sister’s daughter.” The film also faced restrictions in Russia, Poland and Hungary, where censors replaced the contentious line with “my partner’s daughter.” Additionally, the Russian version avoids addressing the character with gender-specific pronouns, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions.
#2: “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” (2022)
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Although Dumbledore’s identity as a gay man had long been established, it was never explicitly acknowledged until the third “Fantastic Beasts” movie. In the installment, lines of dialogue officially confirmed the romantic relationship between Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald. That is, only for audiences outside China. Within the country, however, the government demanded that those lines be removed, before its release could be approved. As a result, six seconds of the film were edited out. According to Warner Bros., this was merely a “nuanced cut” that had no effect on the spirit of the film.
#1: “Lightyear” (2022)
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In June 2022, Disney and Pixar unveiled “Lightyear,” which delved into the origin of Buzz Lightyear from “Toy Story.” The film also introduced Alisha Hawthorne, a lesbian character seen sharing a kiss with her partner Kiko in one scene. Prior to its release, controversy arose around Disney’s initial response to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law. It was subsequently revealed that the company had originally edited the kissing scene out of the film. However, it was reinstated following internal pressure from Disney employees. Upon its release, the film faced bans in several predominantly Muslim countries due to the inclusion of the scene. Other nations like China, Indonesia and Malaysia, demanded its removal before screening, but Disney declined to make any cuts.
Were you affected by any of these bans or censorships? Share your experience with us in the comments below.
