In many Middle Eastern countries homosexuality is a crime. On the other hand one country in particular, Lebanon is unique in the fact that is has a large and very active gay population. The fact remains though that Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code prohibits having sexual relationships that "contradict the laws of nature" which can be punishable with prison time if caught. This act not only prohibits homosexuality, but also adultery and sodomy.
In Lebanon gay people can only mingle in night clubs or bars. If seen in public they are arrested and put into jail where the police often beat them. Many Lebanese people feel persecuted even in their own home. Many of them have been charged with violating censorship laws in their own country, only for speaking up for gay rights. For the past decade people in Lebanon have been mercilessly charged with crimes that wouldn't have even been considered in America or Canada.
But what gives the government and police force in Lebanon the right to do so? Is it only because Lebanon has a 60% Muslim population? While in Islam homosexuality is forbidden it has not stopped the continuing upheaval of gay Middle Easterns. The United States of America has a 25% Roman Catholicism population which strictly prohibits homosexuality. With that statistic, it is astounding to find that North America (with The United States and Canada being the highest) has the highest rate of homosexuality.
In Lebanon it is more accepting to see a man holding a gun and baton walking down the street than to see two men holding hands. What kind of impression is this supposed to give the world internationally? Ponder upon this situation: "That's disgusting." --> This comment was said as a reaction to the following situations:
A young man was just brutally tortured and killed as part of a gang initiation; and a gay couple around their 30's were walking down the street when the two ladies decided to hold hands. The comment that was made afterwards of, "That's disgusting." to each suggests that both acts have the same level of immorality. Do they truly deserve the same comment? Is it so wrong to hold hands with someone you love, that it can be compared to a brutal torture and murder of a young man? Ponder upon it.
As the world is changing it's no surprise that the gay population is rising as modernization grows internationally. New ideas are spreading and it's time for many Middle Eastern countries to get rid of laws prohibiting homosexuality and open their eyes to the new world. Hopefully the Lebanese government will soon see this.
~ Stephanie Harris
Extra Link: Please look at this documentary by AFP a global news agency. It is short 2 minute clip on Fighting for gay rights in Lebanon.
Preview: Lebanon is often presented as the exception in the Middle East -- liberal, multi-confessional, with a booming nightlife and expansive cultural offerings. But for gays and lesbians, it seems its still risky to display their sexual preference.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q2fuNahNfqo
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Zinëb El Omari
said:
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... oh haay ! i was reading your article & i think itsa bit exagerated ! im an arab, i can tell you the real perception of an arab about a gay person, in our society it is NOT seen as a crime no no thats soo deep but its something bad, wrong take it however you want just not a crime! have you ever watched the movi PRAYERS FOR BOBBY? i think you should watch it & tell me how a gay person is looked at from western society (AMERICAN society) ... the guy commited a suicide just from pressure, his mom tok him to thedoctor she thought bening gay is an illness and it has to be cured...! & for that guy in this video i think EVERYWHERE in the wold a dad CONNOT be proud if his SON is gay+dance (thats so far from being an artist sorry) |
Stephanie Harris
said:
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... First of all, my article is not exagerated, if anyhting it's an under statement. I also feel obliged to tell you that so what if your an Arab. I don't think that your opinion can speak for all of the people in the Middle East. You completly contradict yourself. First you say that it's not a crime, that thats too harsh of a comment to say. On the otherhand you then say that it is something that is bad. What is that supposed to mean? Do you think this article is reflecting a bad aspect of your culture? You know what. You go to Lebanon and tell the two lesbians who were locked up in jail and subjected to brutal treatment that it's not seen as a crime. Why don't you go tell the two men who were denied food at a Dunkin Doghnuts that it wasn't a crime. See if they feel the same way. Because you know what? They actually experienced it. Yes. I did watch Prayers for Bobby. Frankly, I do not see what that has to do with the article at hand. First off, what happened to Bobby was tragic and could have been avoided. RIP Bobby. But nonetheless it was shoved into this young mans head that what he did was a crime. He believed God hated him. In the movie it was Bobby's mother telling him that. Not ALL of the USA feels that being gay is a crime. Furthermore you are not brutally locked up in jail for it in this country like you are in the Middle East. So, to compare the situations in the two countries would be completly wrong. Lastly, for the last comment you left. About a father could never be proud of a son who is gay and dances everywhere else in the world. I don't know where the hell you could have gotten that from, but it's an abomination. I'm sorry, but how can you know that every father in the world who has a gay son who happens to dance is ashamed of him? I would be ashmed of mself just for claiming as something as ludacris and frankly stupid as that comment. A father can be proud of his son for whoever he is becuase you know what? As long as the son comes into this world and does some good then the Father can be proud. To say that every father in the world hates his son for being gay is disgusting. Thank you for your comment. |
