Rise of Skywalker same-sex kiss scene banned in Singapore

Amidst the bombastic space action, Reylo scenes, and convoluted plot, STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER included a moment heretofore unseen on the big screen – a same sex kiss. The kiss between two lesbian Resistance fighters towards the end of the film, represents the first time something like this has occurred in a STAR WARS movie. It also represents the first significant instance of LGBTQ representation in a live-action STAR WARS film.

While the kiss was the bare minimum for LGBTQ representation in a galaxy far, far away, the smooch was apparently too much for Singapore. The Southeast Asian country cut the scene from STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER. A representative for Infocomm Media Development Authority, the country's media authority, stated the scene was removed so that THE RISE OF SKYWALKER could remain at the PG-13 level. Gay sex is illegal in Singapore and the country does not recognize same-sex marriage.

Although I don't agree with Singapore's stance on same-sex marriage in the least, I somewhat understand their reasoning at least from a viewership availability standpoint. Singapore's PG-13 rating (the country also uses G and PG ratings) is not age restrictive. It's merely advisory, meaning parents and guardians can decide what their children can watch. However, Singapore's ratings of NC16, M18, and R21 are age restrictive. While it isn't clear what rating THE RISE OF SKYWALKER would have earned had the same-sex kiss remained, clearly the number of people able to see the film would have been limited. By cutting the scene it ensures that children of all ages can see the film. Again I don't agree with Singapore's position but I understand their reasoning, however flawed.

This is not the first time homosexual intimacy has been banned or limited in other countries. Samoa banned Dexter Fletcher's ROCKETMAN because of the love scenes between Taron Egerton and Richard Madden's characters. The film's gay sex and drug use was also edited in Russia to conform with the Russian Federation's legislation against "homosexual propaganda." Similar edits also occurred for 2018's musical biopic BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY.

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER is currently in theaters.