The film’s director conceded that there was a “gay moment” involving a minor character, who has “confused feelings” towards the story’s villain. The scene was added in honour of a late, HIV-positive writer who gave life to the beast in the cartoon version decades ago. But the actor who played the role in question said it was never scripted as a gay character. Indeed, the so-called gay subplot appeared to be so subtle that it was not even noticed by others involved in the production.

The first “openly gay” Disney character has, unsurprisingly, been greeted with mixed reactions. While some saw it as a breakthrough, others criticised it as harmful to minors or in breach of their religious beliefs. In Hong Kong, an anti-gay group petitioned the local film classification authority, suggesting that the film should have the gay scenes deleted, be rated as suitable for adults only or be banned altogether. A Christian school also urged parents to boycott the film. Whether the petitioners have actually watched the film remains unclear. But what is ironic is that they see nothing wrong with romance between a woman and a beast, but reject affections between two men. The uproar brings to attention the prejudice faced by those of different sexual orientations.