CNN--Arab spring's impact on gay rights
CNN report . . .
Will gays be 'sacrificial lambs' in Arab Spring?
(CNN) -- The uprisings bringing political change and demonstrations across much of the Arab world have given millions of people hope of greater freedom. But some gay people in the Middle East fear exactly the opposite.
Homosexuality is illegal -- enforced to varying degrees -- in most Arab countries.
A 2011 report by the International Lesbian and Gay Association reported that homosexuality is illegal in 76 countries worldwide and punishable by death in five, including Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Despite the risks, there are those willing to speak out and campaign for gay rights across the Middle East.
A Syrian woman who writes a blog called "A Gay Girl in Damascus" has gained international attention for her account of her father protecting her when security forces arrived at night to arrest her for "conspiring against the state."
The blog's author, Amina Abdallah, is a 35-year-old English teacher who says she returned to Syria last year after many years in the United States. In an email interview Abdallah said she believed that political change could improve gay rights.
Dan Littauer, the London-based editor of Gay Middle East, said: "Many gay activists are very scared that the reality of their oppression could get worse.
"For example, in Egypt and Tunisia there was a lot of hope initially that there would be a more tolerant civil society. Now it seems that the impetus for change will be hijacked by conservative forces who will make the situation worse for gay people and other minorities.
A 35-year-old gay activist in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, who also spoke to CNN on condition of anonymity, said: "Being gay in U.A.E. is keeping yourself discreet and hiding your inner self. One has to be very careful when in public to not draw any attention towards himself in order not to be harassed.
"The political changes occurring in the Middle East are on a political level only and have not resulted in any society changes. All the gay websites are blocked in U.A.E."
Rest of the story
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/05/27/gay.rights.arab.spring/
That it was one of the deals with the former "President" and "First Lady" to assure there everlasting ruling of Egypt in return.
"For example, in Egypt and Tunisia there was a lot of hope initially that there would be a more tolerant civil society. Now it seems that the impetus for change will be hijacked by conservative forces who will make the situation worse for gay people and other minorities."
I'm surprised with the assumption that we "Egyptians" were about to tolerate this s*&t.
Its way to soon to make any assumptions. That said yes homosexuality is illegal in most Arab Muslim countries for the simple fact being its considered haraam in Islam just like consuming alcohol, pork, etc. Now whether this law like many Islamic laws will be tossed away or upheld is left to be seen.Right now IMO countries like Egypt and Tunisia have many pressing issues going and the outcome of all this is still largely unknown. Praying for the best!
Let's hope for secular governments for a whole bunch of reasons. Turkey is a great place--good balance between religious majority and secular rights.
It reads more like scaremongering than anything else. No one really knows how the future will shape up. The societies will develop at their own pace. One positive is that in this part of the world, It is the Young who are driving the change.
I think the future of this rights will depend on if the Arab spring produces secular constitutions. If so, then they may be like Turkey--not illegal but not officially recognized either.