In a rural part of Lebanon, an LGBTQ+ individual, identified as Amal, shares her concerns about the rising anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in the country, expressing fear for her safety and the safety of others. The country has witnessed a surge in hostility towards the LGBTQ+ community, including attacks on gay bars, homophobic speeches by political leaders, and restrictive measures like the banning of a board game for having rainbow colors.
Lebanon, once considered a relatively safe haven for LGBTQ+ people in the Middle East, is now grappling with a culture war fueled by prominent figures. While same-sex relations are not explicitly criminalized, discriminatory laws have been used to harass LGBTQ+ individuals, leading to unjust arrests and invasive examinations.
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Efforts to decriminalize homosexuality have faced backlash, with some politicians attempting to outlaw homosexual acts and “promoting homosexuality.” This crackdown coincides with Lebanon’s political and economic crises, marked by a four-year economic meltdown, a political deadlock, and social unrest.
Tarek Zeidan, executive director of LGBTQ+ advocacy group Helem, believes that the anti-LGBTQ+ statements from the Interior Ministry are intended to divert attention from the broader political and economic issues plaguing Lebanon.
Amid this turmoil, LGBTQ+ individuals in Lebanon face growing fears, with some feeling hopeless and others avoiding news of violent incidents altogether. Despite the challenges, they continue to fight for their rights, hoping that international attention and support can make a difference.
Human rights organizations, both local and international, have condemned Lebanon’s increasingly anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and called for an end to the attacks on the LGBTQ+ community and the proposed discriminatory laws. These organizations stress the importance of protecting fundamental human rights for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
