It was a crisp Spring day, normal for the month of March. I had on regular everyday clothes; some leggings, a t-shirt, covered by a rain jacket, and my vans. I hadn't much to do that day and had the thought that overcomes most of one's mind when it is a rainy, March day, "What can I do on such a gloomy day?" The answer was simple: go to the movies. Once this was a harmless, carefree, and safe environment for laughter and hand-holding. But not on this day.

There was a time in 1991 when Disney released the animated version of "Beauty and The Beast." This movie has always been one of my favorites. The obvious display of Stockholm Syndrome and the abundance of misogyny never bothered me. I thought to myself, "This one has to be good if it is HALF as good as the original!" The thought never crossed my mind of, "but what if it was twice as gay?" I was a fool, living in more of a fantasy world than Walt Disney himself.

The nightmare began as I sat down to see this movie with my then, boyfriend (at this point I was still heterosexual). I eagerly sat with my popcorn in hand waiting for the magic to commence. My thoughts were clouded with vivid flashbacks to a time when I was seven at Disney World meeting Belle for the first time, and what a happy memory that was. Now it is nothing more than a dark, sick reminder of the injustice I have been faced on this day.

I had heard rumors of LeFou being gay in this movie but never did I expect such a drastic display of gayness. The movie began with LeFou's normal over-infatuation with Gaston, which is not gay at all. Every time Gaston would need reassurance on how handsome and strong he was, LeFou, straight as an arrow, would make sure Gaston knew he was handsome and stronger than anyone he knew! Just like in the animated version! I was filled with joy that it was just as straight as I had remembered.

"Phew!" I exclaimed, "I am so happy that he is totally not gay just like in the animated version!"

But this is when tragedy struck me when I least expected it. As I looked up from my buttery popcorn placed in my lap, my mouth dropped. My eyes grew wide. My hands, holding the popcorn, quivered in fear. I began to perspire so significantly I fell to the floor. I felt my appendix rupture and one or both of my lungs collapsed. The floor I was now gasping for air on used to be only covered in spilled sodas and nacho cheese but now also possesses my innocence. I thought, "This cannot be..there must be some mistake! WHY GOD? WHY?!" I exclaimed while dry-heaving.

LeFou, had been featured dancing...with another man.

Dancing. Close touching. Male to male dancing.

I could not comprehend what I had seen and I was so thankful to be having this convulsion/panic attack in the theater as to bring attention to myself instead of that godforsaken film. I began to feel...different. A change had come over me. I was confused because I had never seen a Disney movie displaying gay characters. I realize what I felt was just as I imagined. It couldn't be...it could not be I who was caught in this web. I tried with every fiber of my being to fight it but you cannot prolong the inevitable.

I had caught the gay.

I turned gay. I turned gay and I'm almost 95% certain all the children in there are also gay from seeing this film. I no longer know what to do with myself because I have never once in my life ever been gay but after seeing this film, I have to be. People have been pretty insensitive to my newest diagnosis saying things such as, "That isn't how that works?" or, "What is wrong with you and who are you?"

Nobody understands me.

Children WILL pick up on this 4-second clip and they WILL become gay or worse...ask questions. Is that what you want for your child? Them asking questions about something that is legal nationwide? I think not.

My advice? Stay as far away from this movie as you and your family possibly can. I would recommend straight-only films such as, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or Daddy Daycare. As far as variety goes I would rather be safe than sorry. That random drive-in in Alabama did the right thing by keeping its theater on the straight and narrow, no pun intended because I am gay now. The only people I would recommend for seeing this movie would be people who have already caught the gay; maybe watching it twice would reverse these effects (will try this and keep you posted.)

Thank you for allowing me to share my journey. Protect your children.

Goodnight and God Bless.