The upcoming film will feature the first LGBT main character in the history of big-budget superhero movies. It is a huge step to have a gay character on a movie that is meant for children, teaching them to embrace our differences and promoting equality.
The character, played by Becky G, is questioning her sexuality when someone finds out that, instead of having boyfriend issues, she is having girlfriend ones.
“I think what’s great about that scene and what that scene propels for the rest of the movie is, ‘That’s OK.’ The movie is saying, ‘That’s OK,’ and all of the kids have to own who they are and find their tribe,” the director said.
Sadly, Russia is not so happy about LGBT+ representation on this movie. Russian distributor informed cinemas that the film would have highest possible restrictions after hardline anti-gay legislator suggested it should be banned. It is basic knowledge that Russia does not approve homosexuality but they are really taking a step backwards.
Milonov, an anti gay legislator, singled out the film’s director Dean Israelite and compared the film to fascist ideology. “If fascist ideology is banned in our country, then [movies by] the likes of Dean Israelite should be banned first thing,” he said, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The same happen recently with “Beauty and a Beast” where Russia accused it of promoting “perverted sexual releations”. This time it is accusing the movie of “gay propaganda on children” which is illegal according to russian laws. In 2013, Russia passed an anti-gay law that banned “propaganda of nontraditional sexual relations.”
Although it is a step in the right direction (with also having black and autistic representation) we have to keep on fighting to show that we all deserve the same basic human rights and show children that we should celebrate what makes us special and not try to hide it.
