Egyptian activists have compiled a detailed report on the ongoing and increasing abuse of LGBT citizens by Egyptian police. Recent highly publicized arrests made after a rainbow flag was displayed at a Sept. 22 concert were “simply the latest episode in the systematic campaign” of repression, according to The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR) Continue reading
Category Archives: Middle East / North Africa
Boycott, video and more seek to block Egypt’s anti-gay bill
Human rights activists are using an advocacy video, a boycott and an analytical political update in their efforts to block a new proposal for toughening Egypt’s already-harsh anti-LGBTQ repression. Continue reading
‘Wipe-Out-the-Queers’ Bill would expand Egypt’s crackdown
A bill awaiting action in Egypt’s parliament would make the country’s ongoing anti-LGBT crackdown much worse, says activist analyst Scott Long. Continue reading
TweetStorm seeks end to Egypt’s anti-LGBT arrests
“We will not let the world look away while people are detained, arrested, tortured and even disappear because they are ‘suspected’ of being gay.” That’s why activists are calling for an online “tweetstorm” today, seeking the end to Egypt’s latest wave of anti-LGBT arrests, detentions and trials. Continue reading
Anti-LGBT arrests: 50+ groups blast Egypt repression
More than 50 human rights organizations issued a statement today decrying widespread repression in Egypt, which came to a climax recently in a wave of arrests in response to the display of a rainbow flag at a music concert. Separately, Human Rights Watch on Saturday called on Egypt to halt the anti-LGBT crackdown. Continue reading
Tunisia drops anal tests, but not its anti-gay law
Tunisia has pledged to the United Nations that it will no longer use forced anal testing in cases of homosexuality. But don’t rejoice too much, warns the online news site Kapitalis.com. Continue reading
Egypt outrage: 7 arrests for rainbow flag; but 274 others?
Police in Egypt reportedly arrested seven people after a rainbow flag was hoisted at a rock concert in Cairo last Friday, Sept. 22. The specifics of the incident remain unclear. Anti-gay Egyptians are outraged that such a display occurred. Gay-friendly organizations are outraged that such arrests occurred. Continue reading
Emirates, stop arresting people for their appearance
The United Arab Emirates should stop arbitrarily arresting transgender, gay, and gender non-conforming people on the grounds of a law that criminalizes men “disguising” as women, Human Rights Watch says. Continue reading
Protest over Tunisia’s 20th homophobia-fueled murder
In response to the murder of a hairdresser in northwestern Tunisia, the advocacy group Shams last week urged the Tunisian government to protect the LGBT community against violent homophobia. It was the country’s 20th homophobic murder since the Tunisian Revolution that launched the Arab Spring in 2010, according to Shams, which advocates the repeal of … Continue reading
Iran’s LGBTQ community will celebrate at home, abroad
The Iranian LGBTQ community is preparing to celebrate Pride at home and abroad. Continue reading