What’s all the Buzz about? ‘Lightyear’ and the attitudes toward homosexuality and same-sex parenting on social media in Ecuador

Introduction: The study of attitudes towards homosexuality and same-sex parenting has employed multiple strategies to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. In this article, we analyze comments on public social media that arose following the release and controversy surrounding a scene featuring a kiss between two women in the movie Lightyear, released in 2022. The objective of this article was to identify attitudes and the main arguments that people provide in favor or against homosexuality and same-sex parenting. Methodology: Digital and print media outlets in Ecuador that published news about the movie were identified. A sample of 707 comments was extracted and a content analysis of the comments was conducted. Results: The number of 335 comments were opposing homosexuality and same-sex parenting, 23 supporting. Seven themes were identified: child protection, social aspects, imposition and indoctrination, double standards, religious arguments, attitudinal ambiguity, and biological reproduction and nature. The arguments, among other things, reveal a high concern for the well-being of children associated with beliefs about the origin of sexual orientation, the role of adults in protecting children from what is considered abnormal, and the role of families in filtering the content their children should watch. Discussion y Conclusions: There is rejection towards homosexuality and same-sex parenting that is based on negative views of sexual and family diversity, socially propagated theories about sexual orientation, the role of the family, and child development.