The government of Malaysia has banned television and radio shows which feature gay characters.

The ban, effective immediately, was reported by The Star.

Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Maglin Dennis D'Cruz told The Star that the ban was meant to curb the “influence” of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community.

State-owned TV and radio stations were expected to immediately implement the ban, which would be expanded to cover privately-owned and satellite TV providers.

The Censorship Board, under a directive issued Thursday by the Information Department, would screen out foreign movies and TV shows with gay characters.

“Effective immediately, radio and TV stations are asked to stop screening shows which feature gay, effeminate men as well as characters that go against the norm of a religious society because this encourages and promotes LGBT now,” the Information Department announced on its Facebook page.

Maglin clarified that programs and TV shows hosted by men who appear effeminate would not be removed “because they are born this way.”

(Related: Lady Gaga urges Malaysians to protest censorship of gay anthem Born This Way.)