-Sigh-
China.
Why, China?
According to the Hollywood Reporter,over a minute of footage will be cut from Bohemian Rhapsody upon its release in the country.
Why?
Because China refuses to show the film with any LGBTQ content.
All of the footage of Freddie Mercury kissing men will be removed from the film in order for the film to get a country-wide release in China.
#BohemianRhapsody to be released in China – without any homosexual content https://t.co/wh01HTQb5N https://t.co/G24YdcWfMn— NME (@NME) 1551282726
‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ to Get China Release, Without the Gay Parts https://t.co/UgBEpiWDtm https://t.co/ZTJt7Ue2BM— Towleroad (@Towleroad) 1551377445
#BohemianRhapsody's Gay 'Intimate Kisses' to Be Cut for China Release: Report https://t.co/GjpVKe2I2s— SeuAcervo_music (@SeuAcervo_music) 1551383300
The movie already received considerable pushback for "straightwashing" Mercury's character, including very few references to his bisexuality or the fact that he contracted HIV/AIDS.
This led several to joke that China will basically releasing the movie "as it already is."
Every single gay on this site tweeting a form of "So they'll just release it as it is?" on that BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY C… https://t.co/plryeNNCqE— Jorge Molina (@Jorge Molina) 1551400797
“We made a film about a gay man,” said best actor winner Rami Malek. Could’ve fooled us… #Oscars https://t.co/4PwvelJTIa— PinkNews (@PinkNews) 1551142804
Did Bohemian Rhapsody just win an Oscar for editing out the gay parts about Freddie Mercury?— John Mackey #blacklivesmatter (@John Mackey #blacklivesmatter) 1551061208
Wellll....I'm happy Rami Malek identified Bohemian Rhapsody as a movie about a gay man. I wish someone had told the screenwriters.— Mark Harris (@Mark Harris) 1551066641
But the worst part about all of this is China's continued treatment of LGBTQ people.
Homosexuality has been "legal" in China since 1997 and in 2001 homosexuality was no longer classified as a mental illness.
However, there are no anti-discrimination laws in place. Because of this, LGBTQ people struggle with not knowing if their sexual orientation or gender identity will get them arrested on a daily basis.
Censorship rules in China still apply to LGBTQ content.
Mango TV, the streaming service which showed the Oscars to China at large, censored Malek's acceptance speech when they replaced the term "gay man" with "special group" in its subtitles.
Introduction to China's LGBT in 4 minuteswww.youtube.com
Surprise! In #China it is illegal to be #gay so the # #Chinese broadcaster censors #RamiMalek #Oscars speech #China… https://t.co/CBX8G5XFpy— Paul DuBois @aproposltd (@Paul DuBois @aproposltd) 1551214518
It is completely outrageous that China is censoring the #LGBT scenes from #BohemianRhapsody It's time to grow up… https://t.co/SS8VtSMJoR— Mad As Mel (@Mad As Mel) 1551406066
Oh China, get over it. There are LGBT people, just as there are different races and ethnicities. What on earth are… https://t.co/ilO7KlFFz0— Monita Rajpal (@Monita Rajpal) 1551369298
Unsurprising. They censor everything. https://t.co/Iy3i8Aszl9— Occasionally, Choose Violence 😌 (@Occasionally, Choose Violence 😌) 1551430210
Since being gay in China is an uphill battle, this announcement is hardly surprising.
But an international straight-washing of a queer icon and bisexual erasure once again?
Only in 2019, folks.
Only in 2019.
Rachel Bilson Just Shared A Throwback Picture Of Rami Malek And We'd Honestly Never Know It Was Him
Rami Malek is the talk of the town. No one can deny his undeniable charm and dashing good looks. Recently, however, a former classmate of his released an old photo of herself and Malek, and we can hardly recognize him.
The photo was shared by none other than Rachel Bilson. It turns out that both Bilson and Malek attended Notre Dame High School in California.
The Hart of Dixie and The O.C. and The O.C.actress rang in the month of February with an Instagram post of herself and her high school buddy.
Her caption reads,
"Hey @ramimalek where'd you get that gold chain? #tbt #oscarworthy #dontforgetthelittlepeople"
Now, while the Academy Award nominee still looks adorable (notwithstanding the hair gel and gold chain), the throwback image is a far departure from his 2019 Freddie Mercury confidence and physique.
People are shook.
this is a photo of rachel bilson and *checks caption* rami malek???? https://t.co/et6IL0RwxX— Cole Delbyck (@Cole Delbyck) 1548979350.0
@people LOL omg— Eleanor R (@Eleanor R) 1548996536.0
This is a good reminder that pictures are forever 😂.