Saudi Arabian authorities seize rainbow children's toys, say they promote homosexuality

Piles of rainbow items were being seized, including stick-on nails, bags, tutus, pencil cases and stuffed animals.
Piles of rainbow items were being seized, including stick-on nails, bags, tutus, pencil cases and stuffed animals. Photo credit: Twitter/Ministry of Commerce

While many are currently celebrating Pride Month around the world, authorities in Saudi Arabia are seizing rainbow-coloured toys and clothing because they claim it encourages homosexuality.

The Ministry of Commerce tweeted that it was confiscating products containing symbols and indications that "call for anomalies and contradict normal common sense, and impose legal penalties on violating facilities".

The video shows piles of rainbow items being seized, including stick-on nails, bags, tutus, pencil cases and stuffed animals.

LBTQIA+ rights are not recognised by the Saudi Arabia government and engaging in consensual same-sex relationships and cross-dressing is punishable by death or public flogging.

The rainbow raid comes as Saudi Arabia banned films that depict and refer to sexual minorities.

According to The Guardian, authorities asked Disney to cut "LGBTQ references" from the Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Disney refused to cut the film and as a result, it was not screened in Saudi cinemas.