Ben Shapiro calls out Warner Bros. for its 'Don't Say Gay' policy in China

Variety is reporting that the new Harry Potter prequel film, “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,” is getting an edit for Chinese audiences that eliminates the gay relationship between Albus Dumbledore and his rival, Gellert Grindelwald:

References to a gay relationship were edited out of “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” by Warner Bros. for the film’s release in China. https://t.co/0mK6Bmz7O1 pic.twitter.com/TqaRDndbfT

— Variety (@Variety) April 12, 2022

In other words, this is a “Don’t Say Gay” policy:

So…..a Don't Say Gay policy?

— Accuracy In Media (@AccuracyInMedia) April 13, 2022

And we mean that literally:

so an **actual** "don't say gay" policy? https://t.co/atlrOq8Gnz

— Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) April 13, 2022

What freaking “cowards”:

Now the cowards can't say "gay".

GAY!

— Cranky Gordon (@StillCrankyAF) April 13, 2022

For those not familiar with the backstory here, the relationship is an important part of this film. From The Independent:

When Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) implies that Dumbledore (Jude Law) promised he’d be by his side, he replies: “It’s because I was in love with you.”

In the Harry Potter books, it was hinted that a romantic relationship existed between the two characters and author JK Rowling later confirmed that Dumbledore was gay.

And here’s Ben Shapiro pointing out that their “principles extend precisely as far as their bank accounts” and this “is why Americans should push back on their injection of garbage social values into entertainment by taking their money elsewhere”:

Their principles extend precisely as far as their bank accounts. Which is why Americans should push back on their injection of garbage social values into entertainment by taking their money elsewhere. https://t.co/ARKhSogpMp

— Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) April 13, 2022

Two lines were removed from the film that alluded to the romantic past between male characters Dumbledore (Jude Law) and Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen). “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling revealed Dumbledore was gay in 2009. https://t.co/2yInh4qo65 pic.twitter.com/yudqBiBDdP

— Variety (@Variety) April 12, 2022

“The rest of the film remained intact,” Variety reported:

Warner Bros. agreed to China's request to remove the lines “because I was in love with you” and “the summer Gellert and I fell in love” from “The Secrets of Dumbledore” release in China. The rest of the film remained intact. https://t.co/2yInh4qo65 pic.twitter.com/BSHl5O1RmF

— Variety (@Variety) April 12, 2022

A statement from Warner Bros. called the edits to appease China a “nuanced cuts in order to respond sensitively to a variety of in-market factors”:

“As a studio, we’re committed to safeguarding the integrity of every film we release, and that extends to circumstances that necessitate making nuanced cuts in order to respond sensitively to a variety of in-market factors,” Warner Bros. told Variety. https://t.co/2yInh4qo65

— Variety (@Variety) April 12, 2022

And Warner Bros. says “the spirit of the film remains intact”:

“In the case of ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore,’ a six-second cut was requested and Warner Bros. accepted those changes to comply with local requirements but the spirit of the film remains intact,” the statement added. https://t.co/2yInh4qo65

— Variety (@Variety) April 12, 2022

In other words, here they’re admitting they put money ahead of their principles — just like Ben Shapiro said they did:

The statement concludes, “We want audiences everywhere in the world to see and enjoy this film, and it’s important to us that Chinese audiences have the opportunity to experience it as well, even with these minor edits.” https://t.co/2yInh4qo65 pic.twitter.com/Hl0NRMzv9F

— Variety (@Variety) April 12, 2022

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