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West Side Story banned in Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and more over trans character - Attitude Skip to main content
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Home Culture Culture Film & TV

8 December 2021

West Side Story banned in Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and more over trans character

Steven Spielberg-directed musical is tipped for Oscars

By Jamie Tabberer

Words: Jamie Tabberer; picture: Disney

West Side Story has been banned in some Middle Eastern countries over its trans character, according to reports.

The Steven Spielberg-directed musical is, like the 1961 classic film, adapted from the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name.

The original story, which revolves around a love affair between characters Maria and Tony, is inspired by Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. All versions feature a character called Anybodys who is widely interpreted as trans.

“A man born in a female’s body”

Jagged Little Pill actor Iris Menas – who, according to NBC News, is nonbinary – plays Anybodys in the film, which has been banned in countries such as Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and the UAE.

NBC alleges that in Qatar and Oman ‘Disney refused to comply with cuts requested by censors.’

The Guardian reports that David Saint, executor of West Side Story author Arthur Laurents’ estate, has said Anybodys “is a character who was a man born in a female’s body. End of story.”

The Oscar-tipped film, starring Ansel Elgort and Ariana DeBose, is out now.

Attitude has approached Disney for comment.

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