According to the New York Times, LGBTQIAP+-themed books were removed and about 150 keywords were hidden.
Amazon has been pressured by the UAE government to restrict search results related to LGBTQIAP+ products. The news was given by The New York Times.
According to the publication, some LGBTQIAP+ themed books were removed from sales and about 150 LGBTQIAP-related keywords were also hidden in the country where having same-sex relationships is illegal and punishable by fines and imprisonment.
According to the NYT, hidden words include “lgbtq” and “pride,” as well as targeted queries like “transgender flag” and “lesbian chest bands.”
“As a company, we remain committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and we believe that the rights of LGBTQ+ people must be protected. With Amazon stores all over the world, we must also comply with the local laws and regulations of the countries in which we operate,” said Nicole Pampe, an Amazon spokeswoman.
The restriction comes on the heels of issues involving the LGBTQIAP+ community at the venue that will host the 2022 World Cup. Qatar has banned community flags.
According to Major General Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Ansari, the top military officer in the country’s security forces, the ban was imposed for the “safety of LGBTQIAP+ people”.
“If a fan raised the rainbow flag and I took it from him, it’s not because I want to insult him, but to protect him. Because if it’s not me, someone around him could attack him”, pointed out the general during an interview with the Associated Press. “I cannot guarantee the behavior of all the people. And I’m going to tell him, ‘Please, there’s no need to raise this flag at this time,'” he added.
The general also asked activists for the cause not to take a stand on the matter during the World Cup. “You want to demonstrate your vision of the movement, demonstrate it in a society where it will be accepted. Watch the game. That’s nice. But don’t come and insult the whole society because of it,” he stated.
In December 2021, the event’s organizing committee stated that the LGBTQIAP+ public will be welcome, but that public exchanges of affection should be avoided.
At the time, the group’s leader, Nasser Al Khater, declared that “nobody feels insecure” in the country and mentioned the Australian player Joahua Cavalho, openly gay, during an interview with CNN. The player reportedly stated that he was “afraid” of playing in the country that will host the World Cup.
“Joshua Cavallo will be welcome in Qatar. No one feels threatened or unsafe here. We are a welcoming, tolerant and hospitable country, everyone is welcome here,” Nasser declared at the time.
Despite the statement, the official also stressed that the country has a rigid stance in relation to public displays of affection and that, “apart from that, each one can live their own life”, “We only ask the fans to respect”, said Al Khater.
