Lebanon’s culture minister, Mohammad Mortada, has announced a ban on the film “Barbie” in cinemas, citing its promotion of homosexuality and contradiction of religious values. Mortada’s decision is supported by the powerful Shi’ite armed group Hezbollah, led by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who has recently intensified his rhetoric against the LGBT community, even referring to Islamic texts that call for the punishment of offenders with death.
The culture minister’s decision claims that the film “promotes homosexuality and sexual transformation” and goes against the values of faith and morality by diminishing the importance of the family unit. Following Mortada’s move, Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi has requested the censorship committee of General Security, which falls under the interior ministry, to review the film and provide its recommendation.
Kuwait has also followed Lebanon’s lead by banning “Barbie” and the supernatural horror film “Talk to Me” in order to protect “public ethics and social traditions,” according to the state news agency.
Lebanon has been seen as a safe haven for the LGBT community in the conservative Middle East and was the first Arab country to hold a gay pride week in 2017. However, tensions have recently arisen surrounding the issue. Mawlawi previously banned events “promoting sexual perversion” in Lebanon, which is believed to refer to LGBT-friendly gatherings.
In a speech last month, Nasrallah called on Lebanese authorities to take action against materials that promote homosexuality, including by banning them. He described homosexuality as an “imminent danger” to Lebanon and advocated for it to be confronted, even suggesting that individuals engaging in homosexual acts should be killed.
Lebanon’s cabinet, following a meeting with the country’s top Christian cleric Patriarch Bechara Boutros al-Rai, urged citizens to “cling” to family values on Tuesday, although it did not specifically mention the LGBT community.
Ayman Mhanna, executive director at the non-profit civic Samir Kassir Foundation, believes that Mortada’s decision is part of a broader campaign against the LGBT community, which involves Hezbollah, the Christian far right, and other religious leaders.
“Barbie,” starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling as Barbie and Ken, respectively, has been a box office success, surpassing $1 billion in ticket sales worldwide since its release on July 21.
Lebanon’s ban on “Barbie” and the growing tensions surrounding the LGBT community highlight a wave of bigotry in the country, according to Mhanna.
How does the decision to ban the movie “Barbie” in Lebanon reflect the increasing vocal opposition against the LGBT community by powerful Shiite armed group, Hezbollah
Lebanon’s Culture Minister, Mohammad Mortada, has recently prohibited the screening of the movie “Barbie” in local cinemas. Mortada argued that the film promotes homosexuality and contradicts religious values. As a result, the decision has gained support from the powerful Shiite armed group Hezbollah, led by Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, who has been increasingly vocal against the LGBT community. Nasrallah has even cited Islamic texts that prescribe death as punishment for such behavior.
According to Mortada, the film undermines the significance of the family unit by promoting homosexuality and sexual transformation. His decision has prompted Interior Minister Bas to support the ban, further solidifying the stance against the film.
It’s disheartening to see the suppression of art and the perpetuation of discrimination in Lebanon. Freedom of expression should be upheld for the benefit of society as a whole. #LGBTQrights