an episode of Little America with a gay Syrian refugee character was banned in 10 Arab countries and Russia!
The streaming series Apple TV + is centered on immigrant characters living in the United States. In the case of the censored episode, “The Son” – the eighth and last of the first season – Rafiq (Haaz Sleiman) seeks asylum in the United States after being rejected by his family for being gay.
The ban comes after the filming of “The Son” had to take place in Canada, as a decree from Donald Trump restricts the entry of refugees and immigrants into the USA.
Co-writer of the episode, Amrou Al-Kadhi stated on Twitter that the team responsible for Little America is fighting to reverse the censorship of “The Son.”
“This is the harsh reality of doing queer Arab work. Trump's ban made us film this outside of America. And now our Little America episode has been banned in 11 countries. We are so sorry – please know we are working hard to find a way to get it to you.”
The ban comes at an extremely delicate and frightening time for LGBTQ people in the Middle East: while they are persecuted and oppressed, they no longer have the US as a possible new home.
This is the harsh reality of making queer Arab work. The Trump travel ban meant we had to move this shoot out of America. And now our #LittleAmerica episode has been banned in 11 countries. We're so sorry about this – please know we're working hard to find a way to get it to you. pic.twitter.com/X3gIBHNsON
— Amrou Al-Kadhi? (@Glamrou) January 20, 2020
