Disclaimer: Before you get mad at any of my observations, please know that I am both a southerner – I’ve lived all of my 34 years in North Carolina – and a Christian, growing up in the Methodist church. However, I also have a functioning cortex. These factors only make you an idiot if you allow them to.
In yet another display of the American south’s ass-headed ignorance (not everyone in the South is ignorant, don’t take that literally), an Alabama theater has decided to boycott the new live-action version of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” – because the film will feature a gay character.
Earlier this week, director Bill Condon revealed that LeFou, the worshipful minion of villain Gaston, is in fact homosexual. This surprised no one who actually paid attention to the cartoon version, since LeFou was obviously in love with Gaston even then. We all knew it, and it was no big deal.
However, fast forward 26 years to the unfortunate current state of our nation, and fundamentalist conservatives are picking through every aspect of life with a fine-tooth comb, looking for things to be offended by. Case in point:
“As of December 16th the Henagar Drive-In is under new ownership. Movies scheduled prior to that date and four weeks after this date were not scheduled by the new owners. That being said…It is with great sorrow that I have to tell our customers that we will not be showing Beauty and the Beast at the Henagar Drive-In when it comes out. When companies continually force their views on us we need to take a stand. We all make choices and I am making mine.”
Image: Disney
“For those that do not know Beauty and the Beast is ‘premiering’ their first homosexual character. The producer also says at the end of the movie ‘there will be a surprise for same-sex couples.’ 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. I know there will be some that do not agree with this decision. That’s fine. We are first and foremost Christians. We will not compromise on what the Bible teaches. We will continue to show family oriented films so you can feel free to come watch wholesome movies without worrying about sex, nudity, homosexuality and foul language. Thank you for your support!”
That is the actual statement from the theater’s owner. You can’t make this stuff up.
Shockingly (insert sarcasm here), they had no problem with showing lite-porn trash like “Fifty Shades Darker.” So, BDSM is fine for the kiddos? Just as long as they can’t catch THE GAY from the super-scary movie from big bad liberal Hollywood, right? Give me a break. If you’re going to be a bigot, at least own it. Make a statement saying “We’re homophobes, and this freaks us out.” Wouldn’t that be easier?
Because you don’t get to blame your narrow mind on my God. Remember when Jesus said this?
“This is the greatest commandment: as I have loved you, so love one another. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
Yeah, I didn’t think so.
Do you agree or disagree with the theater owner? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
