'Beauty And The Beast' Gay Character Draws Backlash; Reverend Warns Parents, Alabama Theater Bans Movie

The upcoming live-action version of "Beauty and the Beast" allegedly includes Disney's first openly gay character. Reports that the villain Gaston's (Luke Evans) sidekick, LeFou (Josh Gad), is gay in this version of the movie has been met with both enthusiasm and disdain.

In fact, a reverend posted a warning to parents about "Beauty and the Beast" as operators of an Alabama theater decided against showing the movie. There are others, however, who applauded the people behind this Disney live-action for embracing LGBTQ inclusivity.

Rev. Franklin Graham, whose father is evangelist Billy Graham, slammed Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" for trying to normalize the gay lifestyle. He warned parents intending to see this film with their kids that Disney is pushing "the LGBT agenda into the hearts and minds of your children," as per CNS News.  The reverend posted his warning and call to parents on Facebook.

The gay backlash also prompted an Alabama drive-in theater in Henagar to cancel showing the movie. Its operators learned the cast and crew filmed a scene that featured LeFou flaunting he is a homosexual, as per Deadline. Their full statement was posted on Facebook.

The film's director Bill Condon sparked the gay controversy when he described the character LeFou and Gad's performance via Allure. He alluded that LeFou was confused for his special feelings for Gaston.

He also said that Gad played the part so subtle. "It is a nice, exclusively gay moment in a Disney movie," Condon said.

Gad, however, doesn't think of his character on "Beauty and the Beast" as gay and confirmed nothing about that was not written in the script, according to Time. It should be noted that with all the talk about this movie, most people have not actually watched "Beauty and the Beast" as it won't open in theaters until March 17.