So… how is that flowering democracy that we instituted in Iraq after we overthrew their government working out? Apparently, it’s working out for some better than others. And you’re definitely lumped in with those “others” if you happen to be gay or lesbian and living in Iraq. The predominantly Muslim culture there has always been intolerant toward homosexuality, but that condition appears to be accelerating rather than evolving toward increased tolerance. In fact, the government recently issued a new directive regarding allowable language on state media and social media platforms. The Media and Communications Commission has instructed all platforms to “refrain from using the terms homosexual or homosexuality.” What you’re supposed to say now is “sexual deviancy.” And there are some other changes as well. (CBS News)

Iraq’s Media and Communications Commission has issued a directive instructing all media and social media platforms in the country to refrain from using the terms “homosexual” or “homosexuality” and instead use “sexual deviancy.”

The decision, reported widely by Iraq’s state and private news outlets, was made to safeguard societal values and public order, the commission said, noting that the terms “homosexuality, homosexual, and Gender” hold undesirable connotations within Iraqi society.

While no specific penalties have been established for noncompliance with the new directive, a government representative indicated that fines could be introduced.

The government also wants you to be careful about how you use the word “gender” as well. So it looks as if the “T” in “LGBTQ” won’t be getting a pass either. All of these words “hold undesirable connotations within Iraqi society.”

They haven’t announced any specific penalties for violating these new rules yet, but it was suggested that fines may be on the way. As you can imagine, if the government is willing to fine you just for saying the words, you certainly don’t want to get caught engaging in any sort of gay or lesbian sexual acts. Iraq’s legal code doesn’t explicitly outlaw homosexual activity, but they can (and will) lock you up for violating any of a number of “moral codes” that run in parallel.

That’s still better than you would fare in Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iran, or several other majority-Muslim nations. If you are caught being gay in those countries, they can put you to death. Iran executed several gay men who were convicted of sodomy charges last year. They were also scheduled to execute a couple of lesbians last fall until the UN intervened. Afghanistan brought back the death penalty for homosexual acts after the kinder and gentler Taliban took control back following the disastrous American withdrawal.

The LGBTQ community isn’t only doing poorly in Muslim nations like Iraq and Iran. Asian society has also typically been less than tolerant. Japan only passed its first-ever law this summer addressing the rights of gay and lesbian people. And critics immediately pointed out that the law included no penalties and didn’t really define what “discrimination” might be included. It was basically just a set of guidelines they would like people to follow.

This is all bad news for the gay and lesbian members of Iraqi society, but it’s part of an ancient culture with deep roots. It should also serve as a reminder in case anyone in Washington is thinking about overthrowing any more governments and “planting the seeds of democracy.” Democracy is a plant that doesn’t grow just anywhere. And the acceptance of nontraditional lifestyles in general and sexual orientation in specific is rare outside of the United States. That’s just one more thing to keep in mind the next time you start feeling like complaining about what a terrible place America is. You could go almost anywhere in the world and have things be far, far worse.