Iraq bans media from using term 'homosexuality'

The media regulatory body of Iraq has issued a prohibition on the usage of the term ‘homosexuality‘ instructing both media and social media entities to employ the term ‘sexual deviance‘ in its place.

Ban on Specific Terms for Media and Internet Companies in Iraq

This directive encompasses all media and social media establishments functioning within the country, as specified by the Iraqi Communications and Media Commission (CMC).

The use of these terms in any of their applications is now prohibited for all licensed CMC phone and internet companies. As a result, these companies are constrained from including “homosexuality” or “gender” in any of their mobile apps.

Complexities Surrounding LGBTQ+ Rights in Iraq and Recent Developments

In recent times, loosely defined morality provisions within Iraq’s penal code have been utilized to single out LGBTQ+ individuals.

In the past couple of months, significant Iraqi factions have intensified their opposition to LGBT rights, frequently exemplified by the burning of rainbow flags in protests led by Shiite Muslim factions, who are expressing their disapproval of recent Koran burnings in Sweden and Denmark.

LGBTQ+ Discrimination in Iraq and Global Legal Context

LGBTQ+ individuals face extensive discrimination in Iraq, with open homosexuality leading to military service bans and the illegality of same-sex marriages or civil unions
These individuals lack legal safeguards against discrimination, often falling victim to vigilante justice and honor killings.
While gay sex is not explicitly criminalized, Iraq’s anti-LGBT stance dates back to its declaration of independence, during which homosexuality was officially prohibited.
As per World Data, gay sex is considered a criminal offense in over 60 countries, while same-sex sexual acts have been decriminalized in more than 130 nations.