Following yesterday’s news that a Qatari sovereign wealth fund is trying to sue M.I.A, reports have emerged of a new attack on cultural expression in the Gulf state. 

The Qatari authorities have banned all screenings of The Danish Girl – which tells the story of transgender artist Lili Elbe – from cinemas across the country. While the film has attracted controversy within the trans community for its decision to cast Eddie Redmayne in the lead role, the Qataris aren’t banning the film in unlikely solidarity with trans actors working in the film industry.  

After initial screenings last Thursday, the film has been banned after online complaints about its “depravity”. The Qatari culture ministry announced via Twitter that “we have contacted the concerned administration and the screening of the Danish film is now banned from cinemas”, before thanking concerned citizens for their “unwavering vigilance”. 

Twitter users in Qatar are debating the move using the hashtag “no to the screening of The Danish Girl”, with one user rightly pointing out that all the media attention is just going to encourage more people to watch the film – exactly what the authorities don’t want.

Given that the Qatari authorities edited out the sex scene in Avatar – which didn’t even feature real people – a film about a pioneering trans woman was always likely to attract the censor’s axe, especially given Qatar’s woeful LGBT record. 

LGBT charity Stonewall told Dazed: “It’s incredibly sad to hear that screenings of The Danish Girl have been banned in Qatar, on the grounds of ‘moral depravity’. This demonstrates just how much work there is left to do until LGBT people are safe being who they are across the world. LGBT people exist in all cultures, communities and countries, including those 75 countries in which being LGBT is unlawful, and the ten in which it is punishable by death. It’s essential that LGBT voices aren’t silenced, and that we continue to work for acceptance without exception for everyone, everywhere.”

All forms of homosexuality are illegal in the country, and men found guilty of consensual sexual relations can face up to three years in jail. Helpfully for LGBT football fans hoping to attend the 2022 World Cup, the authorities have promised to find “creative” solutions. Let's hope these "solutions" don't involve banning all sexualities or identities the Qatari authorities don’t agree with.