The live-action adaptation of Disney’s classic animated film ‘Beauty and the Beast’ is widely popular and received an immense success at the box office. The movie was in the headlines before its release for various reasons, one of which was the inclusion of an ‘exclusively gay moment’, as reported by director Bill Condon. The announcement caused an uproar among some groups, leading to the movie’s ban in some countries. Now, the question arises: what was the gay scene in the new Beauty and the Beast? Let’s dig in and find out.
The Controversy
The controversy around the movie started with Bill Condon’s statement, where he stated that LeFou, played by Josh Gad, would have an ‘exclusively gay moment’ in the movie. This announcement became a hot topic, and some groups, particularly from some countries, demanded that the movie should be banned. The groups stated that the ‘gay moment’ is against their cultural and religious beliefs, and the movie’s content poses a threat to their way of life.
Disney faced strong backlash from various sources for their inclusion of LGBTQ+ themes in their children’s movies. However, some praised the move, stating that it was a step towards inclusivity and diversity. Some of the criticisms of the film related to the alleged promotion of a ‘gay agenda’ and explicit content unsuitable for children.
The Gay Scene
The controversy surrounding the movie before its release was all around what the ‘gay moment’ actually consists of. It was not entirely clear what was meant by an ‘exclusively gay moment,’ which only added to the confusion and the criticism of the film. So, what exactly is the ‘gay moment’ included in Beauty and the Beast?
The gay moment in question is a brief scene where LeFou is seen dancing with another man. It appears to be a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment, as it takes place during the closing credits of the film’s finale. The scene is short and relatively ambiguous, with LeFou simply spinning around with his male partner in a brief tango-like dance. The moment is not explicit and has no sexual content. It can easily go unnoticed for those who are not specifically looking for it.
Some viewers criticized Disney for the gay moment being far too subtle and ambiguous, while others appreciated the subtle representation. In any case, it must be noted that the moment is not intrusive, and it doesn’t distract from the plot of the movie. It is a relatively small and unobtrusive moment that takes place only at the end of the movie.
The Impact
The inclusion of a gay moment in a movie rated for children, in particular a Disney movie, was a significant move towards inclusivity and representation of LGBTQ+ people in mainstream media. Disney has often been criticized for perpetrating heteronormative stereotypes in its movies. Thus, Beauty and the Beast is a step towards more inclusive representation for all individuals regardless of their sexual orientation.
However, the movie faced severe backlash from some countries, with some banning the film altogether. Russia banned the film for weeks over the gay moment, eventually giving it a 16+ rating upon its release. Malaysia too temporarily banned the movie from its theaters citing the infamous ‘gay moment’. The move was seen as regressive by some, as it goes against the progressive move towards LGBTQ+ inclusion in media.
Conclusion
The ‘gay moment’ in Beauty and the Beast was a rather understated and subtle event that took place at the very end of the movie. Despite the controversy surrounding it and the associated backlash, it was a step towards inclusivity and representation of the LGBTQ+ people in mainstream media. However, the film’s backlash highlights the need for greater representation and acceptance of diversity, including sexual orientation. In conclusion, the gay scene was a positive move towards celebrating diverse representation, and while it may have been small, it was significant.
FAQ
Who is Disney’s first openly gay character?
In recent years, the entertainment industry has made gradual progress in including diverse representation in their movies and TV shows. One of the most significant changes in the portrayal of characters is the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters in mainstream media. Disney, one of the most prominent production companies worldwide, has been part of this change by featuring its first openly gay character in one of its movies, Strange World.
Released in November 2021, Strange World is a computer-animated fantasy movie produced by Disney and directed by Don Hall and Carlos López Estrada. The film is set in an enchanted world with mythical creatures and follows two teenage elf brothers, Barley and Ian Lightfoot, who race against time to find a way to bring their deceased father back to life for one day. While the main storyline does not revolve around a gay character, Disney included a subplot to highlight an LGBTQ+ romantic attraction.
Ethan, a teenage character in the movie, is depicted as Disney’s first openly gay character. The supporting role of Ethan was voiced by actor, musician, and YouTuber, Greyson Chance. The character is shown to act shy around his crush, Diazo, a female cyclops who works at the local Manticore’s Tavern. While Ethan’s sexuality is not the primary focus of the story, the inclusion of a gay character in a Disney movie is a significant step forward in terms of inclusivity, representation and promoting acceptance and diversity.
However, despite Disney’s attempts to depict an inclusive representation of the LGBTQ+ community, some have criticized the company for portraying the character with little depth. Ethan is only given limited screentime, and his portrayal lacks nuance and character development. Furthermore, the fact remains that Strange World bombed at the box office, and many have questioned whether the movie’s lack of success has impeded Disney’s future inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters in their films.
While Disney’s inclusion of an openly gay character in Strange World is a significant milestone for the entertainment industry, it is clear that much more needs to be done to improve the representation of LGBTQ+ people in mainstream media. Disney, as one of the largest and most influential media companies globally, has the opportunity and responsibility to set the bar for inclusivity and diversity in the entertainment industry, both on and off the screen.
Did LeFou have a crush on Gaston?
LeFou is a character in the Disney movie “Beauty and the Beast” who is shown to be the loyal follower of Gaston, a self-obsessed hunter who seeks to win the affections of Belle, the female protagonist of the movie. Throughout the movie, it is heavily hinted that LeFou has a crush on Gaston, that is never explicitly stated in dialogues but is made evident through his actions and expressions in various scenes.
LeFou’s admiration for Gaston is shown right from the first musical number of the movie, “Gaston,” where he sings praises of Gaston in a fawning and adoring manner, and follows him around like a faithful lapdog. In that sequence, there are a few instances where LeFou acts a bit oddly, like when he strokes Gaston’s chin while singing about his “strong chin” and when he gives Gaston a suggestive look while lifting him up in a decoration scene. Moreover, when LeFou later in the movie confronts Gaston on his actions and encourages him to give up on his pursuit of Belle, he does so while holding Gaston’s arm with a touch that can be read as flirtatious.
There are several other moments in the movie that can be seen as subtle hints of LeFou’s affection for Gaston, like when he stands too close to him or when he blushes and smiles at the hunter’s jokes. However, the most definitive hint of LeFou’s romantic feelings for Gaston comes towards the end of the movie, in the sequence where Gaston leads a mob to the Beast’s castle to kill him. When the group of villagers and Gaston storm the castle, LeFou can be seen holding a shotgun in his hands, but when he sees his hero Gaston fall from the castle roof and plummet to his death, he abandons his earlier mission of protecting him and instead joins the good guys in fighting against Gaston’s supporting villagers.
It is pretty evident that LeFou had a crush on Gaston in the movie “Beauty and the Beast,” although it is never made explicit in dialogues. While it may be regarded as the first portrayal of a gay character in a Disney movie, it was also surrounded by controversy at launch mainly because of its subtlety.
What is Gaston and LeFou relationship?
Gaston and LeFou’s relationship is a complex one that has been shown in different ways. LeFou is Gaston’s sidekick and the two spend a lot of time together. Despite his loyalty to Gaston, LeFou is often mistreated by him, with Gaston humiliating him in public and even physically hurting him at times. These actions are often prompted by LeFou making a sarcastic comment or doing something that disappoints Gaston.
However, it can be argued that LeFou enjoys the attention he receives from Gaston, and that the abuse is a small price to pay for the privilege of being Gaston’s friend. There are also moments where Gaston and LeFou appear to genuinely care for each other. For instance, in the “Gaston” musical number from the Disney movie “Beauty and the Beast”, Gaston and LeFou engage in a playful back-and-forth throughout the song, showing that they have a rapport that is more than just boss and lackey.
Furthermore, in the 2017 live-action remake of “Beauty and the Beast”, LeFou’s character is given a more prominent role and a deeper backstory. In this version, LeFou is portrayed as a more sympathetic character who is struggling with his feelings for Gaston. While Gaston is still controlling and abusive towards LeFou, there are moments where he shows a softer side to his friend, such as when he saves LeFou’s life during the film’s climactic battle.
The dynamic between Gaston and LeFou is a complicated one that is characterized by moments of camaraderie, abuse, and even hints of romantic attraction. While their relationship may not be a healthy or positive one, it is an interesting and memorable aspect of the “Beauty and the Beast” story.
