Buzz Lightyear film banned in 14 countries over same-sex kiss

At least 14 countries in the Middle East and Asia have banned Lightyear because it features a same-sex kiss.

The Toy Story spin-off has a scene in which a female character voiced by actress Uzo Aduba kisses another woman.

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates are among the nations refusing to show the film.

According to reports, film giant Disney refused requests from Chinese authorities to censor parts of the movie.

However, it is not yet confirmed whether the film has been banned in China.

Rashid Khalfan Al Nuaimi, the executive director of the UAE’s media regulator, said the film had been banned for "violation of the country’s media content standards" by the inclusion of "homosexual" characters.

Its media regulatory office tweeted an image of the space hero Buzz crossed out with a red line.

Gay relationships are criminalised across much of the region.

Lightyear was not even submitted to censors in Saudi Arabia because it was known that the film would not pass, the trade newspaper Variety reported.

Lightyear is a Toy Story spin-off developed by animation studio Pixar. Chris Evans voices Buzz, a favourite character from the popular film franchise.

The new movie is tipped to gross more than $100million (£82 million) in its first weekend.

In May, Disney refused requests to cut same-sex references in Marvel movie Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.

Saudi Arabia and a handful of other Middle Eastern countries did not show the film.