Alabama drive-in bans Beauty and the Beast for gay character

An Alabama drive-in theatrewon't show a new re-telling of the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beastbecause one of its characters is portrayed as homosexual.

A Facebook post for the Henagar Drive-In Theatre saidits operators are "first and foremost Christians" and "will not compromise on what the Bible teaches." They said they will show family-oriented films so customers can "watch wholesome movies."

The post, which went up Thursday, has since been taken down.

It also said the owners were taking a stand and making a choice not to show the film, which includes manservant Le Fou, who plays the sidekick to the story's villain Gaston and, according to director Bill Condon, "is confused about his sexuality."

• Beauty and the Beast features Disney's first gay character

Theatreoperators did not immediately respond to emails or phone messages to confirm the Facebook posting.

The Disney film had its world premiere in Los Angeles earlier this week and will be releasedMarch 17.