A new dawn for LGBT Arabs?

With a yearning for human rights playing a vital role in the Arab revolts; putting an end to discriminatory LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) laws may determine how the future democratic process unfolds.

According to a report on the allAfrica.com site, sodomy laws such as Tunisia's penal code article 230 criminalise same-sex acts for both men and women with a punishment of up to three years imprisonment. In Algeria, law prohibits homosexuality and cross-dressing. Individuals prosecuted under Article 333 and 338 of Algerian law face imprisonment of between two months and three years and fines ranging from 500 to 10 000 Algerian dinars. Although Egyptian law does not criminalise homosexuality, authorities use a 1961 law on the Combat of Prostitution, which carries a custodial sentence of between three months to three years in prison and is tried in criminal rather than state security courts. 'As a gay Arab, I feel represented in these protests in every way and I'm confident that one day there will be a gay rights movement sweeping the Arab streets,' said 22-year-old Egyptian biology student, Khaled. 'But to get there we have to achieve other levels of freedom such as transparent governments and building institutions where no human rights crime will go unpunished.' He said religion and certain traditions still play a major role amongst the protesters 'and once new governments are formed I believe that the issue of gay rights will continue to be unacceptable and we'll need a hundred more revolutions to at least be able to discuss the issue openly'. Middle East and North Africa researcher for the New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) Rasha Moumneh said that repression of Arab LGBT individuals under previous regimes no doubt existed. And having a non-Islamist government is no guarantee against the persecution of individuals for sexual and gender non-conformity.


(2012-01-17/Legalbrief)