Last night, an Associated Press story on the issue was published by dozens of news agencies in several countries – including US news organisations as prominent as the Washington Post.
Under the headline: “Bahamas ‘Brokeback Mountain’ Ban Draws Ire” the Washington Post story said:
“A Bahamian government board’s decision to ban the movie `Brokeback Mountain’ has prompted charges of discrimination and censorship in the island chain.
“Gay rights groups and others have called on the Plays and Films Control Board to reverse its decision prohibiting theaters from showing the award-winning movie about a troubled love affair between two cowboys.”
The story quoted local theatre director Phillip Burrows as saying: “You have a group of people who are telling grown men and women what they can and cannot watch. I cannot understand denying people the right to make their own choices.”
The story noted that the film has already been advertised in Nassau when the ban was announced. It also noted that the board pulled the film after a request by the Bahamas Christian Council.
The story continued: “Some have suggested the board could have simply issued a rating that would have barred anyone under 18 from seeing the film.
“Critics also noted that even some countries where homosexuality is illegal have allowed the movie to be shown in theaters.
The Washington Post story also noted that the film, which won three Oscars, including best director for Ang Lee, has also been banned in mainland China. Turkey has restricted viewing to viewers over 18.
Source: The Tribune
