The defense minister of Italy disciplined an army general for publishing an anti-LGBTQ book, a Russian streaming service was fined for broadcasting an LGBTQ movie, and Kuwait banned "Barbie" for promoting homosexuality.
Italy's Army General Disciplined Over Anti-LGBT Book
The defense minister of Italy has ordered disciplinary action against an army general, Roberto Vannacci, who published a book in which he condemned LGBT people, migrants, minorities, and feminists.
According to Reuters, defense Minister Guido Crosetto denounced the book as "ramblings … that discredit the Army, the Defense Ministry and the Constitution.” He continued, "For this reason, the foreseen disciplinary action will be initiated by the Defense Ministry.”
In the book, “The World Upside Down,” Vannacci says homosexual men are not normal and says there is an "international gay lobby" trying to brainwash the world.
Vannacci is the former head of Italy's elite paratrooper unit, carried out missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and was the Italian defense attaché in Moscow.
Streaming Service Fined For Broadcasting 'LGBT Movie'
OutSFL file photo.
Vimpelcom, a Russian mobile and streaming service, was fined for failing to put an 18+ age rating on a movie that featured LGBT relationships.
According to Reuters, "Little Italy," which was posted without the rating, resulted in a fine of 1 million roubles.
"Each subscriber knows what they are choosing and watching, there is no widespread access," said Vimpelcom’s lawyer.
This comes after Russia heightened their anti-LGBT laws under President Vladimir Putin’s rule. Most recently, the government has allowed authorities to fine any individual or organization that is promoting homosexuality in public, online, or in films, books or advertising.
Reuters reported that Kinopoisk, another streaming service in Russia, was fined for the same offense a few weeks ago.
Kuwait Bans ‘Barbie’ For Promoting Homosexuality
Courtesy of Warner Bros.
The “Barbie” movie is now banned in Kuwait.
According to Al Jazeera, the announcement comes after a Lebanese minister asked authorities in his country to bar the movie from cinemas for “promoting homosexuality” in an effort to protect “public ethics and social traditions.”
A spokesman for the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information said the movie “promulgates ideas and beliefs that are alien to Kuwaiti society and public order.”
The Culture Minister, Mohammad Mortada, announced that the film “promotes homosexuality and [trans people] … supports rejecting a father’s guardianship, undermines and ridicules the role of the mother, and questions the necessity of marriage and having a family.”
Now, the censorship committee is reviewing the film and giving its recommendation.
Al Jazeera reported that the film is already banned in Vietnam and in the Philippines a scene was blurred.
