Jessica Kirson has apologised for taking part in a comedy show in Saudi Arabia, where LGBTQ+ rights are almost non-existent.

The lesbian comedian took part in the Riyadh Comedy Festival, part of the kingdom’s Vision 2030 strategy aimed at putting the country on the map for international cultural and artistic events. But critics have branded this as an attempt to whitewash the country’s human rights violations and anti-LGBTQ+ laws.

Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia, with the death penalty among the punishments for those found to have engaged in same-sex acts. In addition, LGBTQ+ topics are censored and it is illegal to be trans under Sharia Law, which it describes as “cross-dressing”.

In response to the backlash, Kirson told The Hollywood Reporter that she was surprised to have be

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