An Oklahoma movie theater said it would try to 'fast-forward' through the same-sex kiss in 'Lightyear' on a sign that's since been removed
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Jason Guerrasio
Jun 24, 2022, 03:26 IST
Alisha (voiced by Uzo Aduba) in "Lightyear."Disney/Pixar
The 89er Theatre in Kingfisher, Oklahoma posted a sign warning that "Lightyear" has a same-sex kiss.
"We will do all we can to fast-forward through that scene, but it might not be exact," it read.
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The 89er Theatre in Kingfisher, Oklahoma posted a sign on its window during the opening weekend of Pixar's "Lightyear" warning patrons that the movie features a gay kiss.
According to NBC affiliate KFOR in Oklahoma City, the sign read:
"Attention Patrons: The management of this theatre discovered after booking 'Lightyear' that there is a same-sex kissing scene within the first 30 minutes of the Pixar movie. We will do all we can to fast-forward through that scene, but it might not be exact. We apologize for any inconvenience this late discovery of this scene causes."
"Lightyear" is the origin story of the "Toy Story" character Buzz Lightyear. Chris Evans voices the "real" space ranger as we watch him on an epic adventure. In the movie, there's a scene that features Lightyear's fellow space ranger, Alisha (voiced by Uzo Aduba), coming home from a mission and kissing her significant other, who is also a woman.
According to NBC News, the sign has since been removed.
"Every time there's been social advancement as we wake up, the American story, the human story is one of constant social awakening and growth and that's what makes us good," he continued.
"There's always going to be people who are afraid and unaware and trying to hold on to what was before," Evans added. "But those people die off like dinosaurs. I think the goal is to pay them no mind, march forward and embrace the growth that makes us human."
After backlash, Variety reported that "Lightyear" restored the kiss.
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Back in Oklahoma, resident Patricia Kasbek, 42, told NBC News that when she saw the sign at the 89er Theatre she first thought it was a joke.
Then when she realized it was real, she felt it was "cruel" and "bigoted." She called the theater and left a complaint on its voicemail.
"I told them that it was completely insulting for them to censor a same-gender kiss when they've never done this to an opposite-gender kiss," Kasbek said. "I will never see a movie at this theater while under this ownership."
Insider contacted the 89er Theatre for comment but did not get an immediate response.
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