Iran: Modern Family, a popular American television sitcom is now available in Iran but without the gay couple, in keeping with the harsh anti-gay laws that punish same-sex couples with flogging and execution. The Iranian version of the American sitcom has emerged without the gay couple Mitch and Cam. Haft Sang mimics Modern Family almost scene for scene but the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting channel has left out the gay fathers to Lily Tucker-Pritchett as part of state regulations. Modern Family is an award-winning ABC show that revolves around the relationships between three families and has encouraged debate from the LGBT community for its portrayal of the relationship between Mitch and Cam. Haft Sang has also altered other aspects of Modern Family to fit Iranian standards by changing the genders of some characters so that they can socialize with each other despite not being married. Modern Family debuted in 2009 is presented in mockumentary style, where the fictional characters frequently talk directly into the camera sharing stories of their own “modern families.” It has been watched by more than 12 million people. The program is about the story of Jay Pritchett, his second wife, his stepson, and their infant son; and his two adult children and their families in suburban Los Angeles. Iran has strict social “moral codes” that censures interaction between unmarried men and women, boys and girls. The state run by Islamic clerics as a theocracy highly values the segregation of the sexes. As regards to equality rights, Iranian law criminalizes any consensual same-sex relations with punishment ranging from 100 lashes between women and the death penalty for those between two men. The Islamic Penal Code also criminalizes same-sex touching and intimate kissing, which are punishable by up to 74 lashes. You can watch the Modern Family and Haft Sang scenes spliced together to show the similarities below. - Gay Asia News
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 9th July 2014 - 11:33am