Rainbow-coloured toys confiscated in new campaign against homosexuality in this country

Rainbow-coloured toys, children’s clothing, accessories, and stationary have been confiscated from shops by Saudi Arabian authorities in a new campaign against homosexuality in the kingdom.

Homosexuality strictly prohibited

Sunni Muslim-ruled Saudi Arabia has no laws regarding sexual orientation or gender identity. However, under the country's interpretation of Islamic law, sexual relations outside marriage, including homosexual sex, are strictly prohibited and can be punishable by flogging or death.

According to a news report broadcast on Tuesday 14 June by the state-run channel Al Ekhbariya, items seized in the raids in the capital Riyadh include t-shirts, skirts, hats, hair clips and bows, and pencil cases, largely manufactured for children.

An official from the commerce ministry, which is involved in the campaign, said in the news report:

We are giving a tour of the items that contradict the Islamic faith and public morals and promote homosexual colours targeting the younger generation.

The commerce ministry tweeted separately that the products were seized because they 'contain symbols and signs calling for deviation and contradicting common sense.' It added that if shops were found to be selling such items, they would face legal penalties,as reported by BBC.

Similarly, authorities in neighbouring Qatar announced in December last year that they had seized rainbow-coloured toys from shops for 'bearing slogans that go against Islamic values.'

Ban on LGBTQ+ films

Dubbed the 'rainbow raids' by The Guardian, they follow Saudi Arabia’s ban on films that portray, or even refer to, the LGBTQ+ community. In April, the Middle Eastern country asked Disney to remove 'LGBTQ references' from the Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, Disney refused.

The new animated film Lightyear, which features a same-sex kiss, is also reportedly banned in the kingdom.

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