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Xochitl Gomez, who plays America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, has been experiencing harassment on social media following a number of high-profile bans of LGBTQIA+ content.On Instagram, Gomez, who is 15-years-old, posted pictures from a trip she took with The Baby-Sitters Club star Momona Tamada. The post received a number of harassing comments, which were screen capped and re-posted on Twitter. You can see both Gomez's post and images of the comments below.
Earlier this month, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was banned in a number of countries, including Egypt, Kuwait and Saudia Arabia, due to LGBTQ+ content. The bans spring from Chavez being an openly gay character. Saudi Arabia specifically has requested Disney remove an approximately 12-second scene in which Chavez mentions she has "two moms." LGBTQ+ relationships are still criminalized in many of the countries in which the film has been banned.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is not the first Disney film to be banned overseas for LGBTQ+ content, and the studio often edits movies to get past censors in those markets. This past November, Disney refused to edit Eternals to remove any mentions of the same-sex relationship between Phastos (Brian Tyree Henry) and his husband. Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays Doctor Stephen Strange in the film, has said he expected the movie to be banned, but still expressed his disappointment in the turn of events.
Set after the events of 2021's Spider-Man: No Way Home, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sees the titular sorcerer heading into the multiverse. Along the way, he encounters Chavez and teams up with her to face off against such foes as Karl Mordo (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Gargantos, and encounters new faces like the Illuminati.
Created by Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta, America Chavez first appeared in 2011's Vengeance #1. Chavez is able to create star-shaped portals that allow her to travel across the multiverse. She also boasts a host of other standard superhero powers such as enhanced strength and speed. Over the years, she's served as a member of such teams as the Young Avengers and Ultimates.
Directed by Sam Raimi from a script by Michael Waldron, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness premieres on May 6. Tickets for the film are on sale now.
Source: Instagram, Twitter