Russia is considering banning a Disney movie about a horned beast romancing a human woman, because it includes a gay moment.
The live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast features an "exclusively gay moment" as the character of LeFou explores his sexuality, says director Bill Condon.
Russia has anti-LGBT laws that prohibit "gay propaganda" and its Culture Minister Vladimir Medinsky says action will be taken if the Disney film is found to be in breach of them.
The controversial 2013 legislation - signed by Russian president Vladimir Putin - describes homosexuality as "non-traditional sexual relations" and has reportedly ushered in a surge of homophobic propaganda, violence and hate crimes, with the law often used as justification.
Russian MP Vitaly Milonov has urged Mr Medinsky to view the film and "totally ban it" if it propagated homosexuality. He also described the film as "shameless propaganda of sin".
The comments come after a cinema in Alabama announced it was banning the romantic tale of woman and monster over its inclusion of LeFou's feelings.
Beauty and the Beast is released in New Zealand on March 30.
Newshub.
