MIDDLE EAST — (06-30-22) — Tech giant caves into homophobic pressure from the United Arab Emirates over LGBTQ+ themed books and rainbow-colored flags after threats of penalties
The publicly traded company decided to give into the demands of the homophobic rulers of the third word nations as Pride month, designed to celebrate LGBTQ+ people around the world every year, comes to an end.
“As a company, we remain committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and we believe that the rights of LGBTQ+ people must be protected,” said an Amazon spokesperson. “With Amazon stores around the world, we must also comply with the local laws and regulations of the countries in which we operate.”
Earlier this month, authorities in Saudi Arabia seized rainbow-colored toys and children’s clothing, which they claimed encourage homosexuality. It said commerce ministry officials removed a range of items from shops in the capital, Riyadh, including hats, skirts, T-shirts, hair clips and pencil cases.
Homosexuality is illegal in the UAE, one of 69 countries in the world that have laws that criminalize people for simply being LGBTQ.
As well as Saudi Arabia who has also banned films that depict, or even refer to LGBTQ themes. In fact back in April, the Saudi kingdom said it had asked Disney to cut “LGBTQ references” from the Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, but Disney stood their ground and refused.
As a result, Disney’s latest animation, Lightyear, which features a same-sex kiss, has been banned in Saudi Arabia and more than a dozen other countries.
Earlier this month, the Kuwait foreign ministry summoned a top US diplomat in protest over tweets from the American embassy supporting LGBT rights during PRIDE Month. US officials there had posted a rainbow flag and message of solidarity from President Joe Biden.
Kuwait officials criticized the embassy for “supporting homosexuality” and demanded it didn’t happen again. Rights for LGBT people are severely restricted in Kuwait.
The UAE embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment from JRL CHARTS LGBT World News.
Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer
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