Iraq bans media from using term ‘homosexuality,’ says they must use ‘sexual deviance’
Iraq’s official media regulator on Tuesday ordered all media and social media companies operating in the Arab state not to use the term “homosexuality” and instead to say “sexual deviance,” a government spokesperson said and a document from the regulator shows.
Iraq’s official media regulator on Tuesday ordered all media and social media companies operating in the Arab state not to use the term “homosexuality” and instead to say “sexual deviance,” a government spokesperson said and a document from the regulator shows.
The Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC) document said that the use of the term “gender” was also banned. It prohibited all phone and internet companies licensed by it from using the terms in any of their mobile applications.
A government official later said that the decision still required final approval.
The regulator “directs media organizations ... not to use the term ‘homosexuality’ and to use the correct term ‘sexual deviance’,” the Arabic-language statement said.
Shiite Muslim devotees self-flagellate over an unfurled banner on the ground depicting the Pride rainbow flag defaced with a boot and the Arabic slogan "no to homosexual society" ahead of the Shiite holy day of Ashoura in Nasiriyah, Iraq, on July 25. Asaad Niazi / AFP - Getty ImagesA government spokesperson said a penalty for violating the rule had not yet been set but could include a fine.
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