Iraq Implements Media Ban on Terms Related to Homosexuality

Iraq's Media and Communications Commission has reportedly banned the terms "homosexual" and "homosexuality" in all media and social media platforms, replacing them with the term "sexual deviancy." The term "gender" has also been banned. The commission claims that these terms have undesirable connotations within Iraqi society. While Iraq does not explicitly criminalize homosexuality, Human Rights Watch has found that violence against LGBTQ individuals remains widespread in the country, with armed groups continuing to target and harm them. The commission's decision is pending final approval, and a penalty for violating the order has not been set.