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SAN SALVADOR – El Salvador's Ministry of Culture canceled a play by a drag troupe after receiving complaints on social media from conservative and religious groups in the country.

The play “Immoral” was scheduled for two dates. It was to be presented on Saturday, June 15, and Sunday, June 16, at the National Theater, the most important venue in the Central American country. The production was developed by the Natural Innovation Project of Revolutionary Artists (INARI), considered the first queer arts company. However, the second performance was canceled due to criticism from conservative sectors who said it was “not suitable for families.”.

“The Ministry of Culture is directly attacking Christianity by supporting transvestites to mock the religion,” wrote user Antonieta Martínez on her X account, in which she also questioned the embassies of Spain and France for being unaware of an article of the country's Penal Code regarding an alleged attack on freedom of religion.

The Ministry of Culture is directly attacking Christianity by supporting transvestites who mock the religion.
Are the @culturasv , @EmbEsElSalvador, and @FR_El_Salvador unaware of Article 296 of the penal code?
Why is the law not respected in El Salvador?

Cc @Mariemmpleitez1 @ericdoradea https://t.co/OnsOr1mwgl pic.twitter.com/C5YdhPPe8i

— Antonieta Martínez 🇸🇻 (@Anto_MarAO) June 16, 2024

“This is alarming, since the presentation was approved by the government. The Ministry of Culture reports to the presidency. President Nayib Bukele has repeatedly said that he believes in God, and that God guides him, so why is he allowing this mockery of Christianity?” posted a user identified as Salvadorans Against Gender Ideology.

This is alarming, as it was approved by the @Gobierno_SV (Government ). The Ministry of @culturasv (Culture reports to @PresidenciaSV ( ).

President @nayibbukele has repeatedly stated that he believes in God and that God guides him, so why does he allow this mockery of Christianity? https://t.co/C9OHc6TBXt pic.twitter.com/alNL3v5fXs

— SALVADORANS against GENDER IDEOLOGY (@NOalaIDGSV) June 16, 2024

The cancellation

Hours later, the Ministry of Culture announced the cancellation of the play. They argued that the organizers had omitted information in their application to rent the theater and had not accurately described the content of their play, which turned out to be unsuitable for all audiences.

Authorities also confirmed that the company did not reach any co-production agreement.

“The Ministry of Culture deeply regrets this incident and assures the Salvadoran population that it will conduct a much more rigorous review of the content presented in our theaters, halls, and spaces to guarantee that the established standards are met for the enjoyment of all Salvadoran families,” the Ministry said in a statement.

However, Ale Massimo, screenwriter, director and lead actor, told Presentes that the Ministry representatives assured him that they did not cancel the show because of the content but because of a rain emergency affecting the country.

In heels and with makeup

The show consists of several stories of sexual, emotional, and physical abuse against different people. The play tells the story of an adult woman who learns that her best friend has been murdered.

Then, the woman arrives at her apartment and all the ghosts of her past—the traumas inflicted upon her by society—manifest themselves. Throughout that night, she tells us her story, recounting the abuses she has suffered.

“The show does not seek indoctrination of any kind or type under any circumstances. The show reflects a reality that exists in Salvadoran society,” he stated.

INARI explained in a statement that “Inmoral” is a revival of a script that has already been presented at the National Theater in the years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2022, and that it has always been performed in heels and with makeup.

The group points out that the government's official logo had already been used in the past. Furthermore, they say the content of the artwork was known to Ministry staff. "The presentation dates were requested in 2023," they stated.

The LGBTI population of the country denounces that, since his arrival in government in June 2019, President Nayib Bukele has made decisions against the rights of the community, such as the suppression of the Secretariat of Social Inclusion, where the sexual diversity office was located, or removing academic content with “gender ideology” from schools.

In 2022, the government also banned the broadcast of content related to sexual identity on state television. It also canceled a contract with a teacher training institute that aired an educational program, after receiving public pressure alleging that it was indoctrinating students.

“It’s not an attack on the content; the (Culture) statement basically satisfies the needs of the people who complained on Twitter (now X). The ministry tried to quell the scandal, and that was like trying to put out a fire with gasoline,” he concluded.