BARBIE’ MOVIE BANNED IN LEBANON FOR ‘PROMOTING HOMOSEXUALITY’
Lebanese authorities have banned the movie “Barbie” from cinemas, citing concerns that it promotes homosexuality and goes against the country’s moral and religious values.
The decision comes after the Culture Minister, Mohammad Mortada, postponed the film’s release to late August, stating that it contradicts Lebanon’s principles.
The ban is part of a larger trend of increased anti-LGBTQ sentiment in Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
Recently, Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon’s Shiite Islamist Hezbollah movement, made derogatory remarks about homosexuality, labeling it as “sexual perversion” and a “threat” to the nation.
Nasrallah’s speech and threats have led to online harassment and death threats against LGBTQ individuals.
Lebanon, once known for its relative social liberalism in the Middle East, has seen a crackdown on LGBTQ events and rights. The ban on “Barbie” is seen as a manifestation of this trend.
Meanwhile, the movie “Barbie” has achieved significant box-office success, surpassing $1 billion in revenues within three weeks of its release. The ban raises questions about freedom of expression and LGBTQ rights in the country.
