Fun Fast Facts:
Updated: 19 May 2014 (The stark reality)
- The Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) covers an extensive region, extending from Morocco to Iran, including the majority of both the Middle Eastern and Maghreb (northwest Africa) countries. The term is roughly synonymous with the term the Greater Middle East.
- In the MENA region homosexuality has been present and illustrated as far back as 1700 BC in Mesopotamia (now Iraq).
- Homosexuality has never been criminalised in only a few of the MENA region’s countries (i.e. Bahrain, Djibouti, Jordan and Palestine), and it still incurs the death penalty in Mauritania, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Southern Somalia. In a further 11 countries, mostly former British and French colonies, it can lead to lengthy imprisonment.
- In Arabic, the most common words used to describe homosexuals are “shodoud” (“pervert”) and “lewath” (“sodomy” which always refers to “deviant” or “unnatural”).
- Transsexuals in the MENA region face double discrimination, not only from the general public but also from within the lesbian and gay communities, which accuse them of presenting a bad image to the outside world.
- However a very active civil society with many NGOs and campaigners exists, including multiple Helem groups and the women-only group Meem. Programmes broadcast by Lebanese satellite TV stations such as LBCTV, have helped to spread a more positive image of the LGBTI community throughout the region.
The stark reality
Broadcast: 19 May 2014
LGBTIQ-friendly organisation: Helem Melbourne
- Helem is a non-profit organisation which was formed in early June 2012 to provide a safe place for same-sex attracted people from Arab GLBT communities.
- Helem provides a supportive environment where the Arab gay community can be themselves, creating a caring community that celebrates the Arab culture and the diverse sexuality within it, with gatherings, special events and functions to connect.
W3JOY interviewed: Tim and Ben of Helem Melbourne
“I think it’s almost impossible being in an Arab country to come out, especially with parents and family friends. It’s just impossible. But it’s much easier being in Australia to come out.”
“You will be outcasted (sic) first of all. It’s illegal being gay in countries like the Middle East. You won’t get jobs and sometimes some families they just kick out their kids.”
“When you come out to your family, your family will accept you, but the other members of the family, like your cousins and nephews and stuff, they’re going to abuse my own family. They will come and bully mum and dad or sisters. My sisters for example won’t get married because their brother is gay and people will be afraid that they’re gonna have gay kids.”
“I come from an Egyptian background and as you know it’s illegal there. I had my bad experience there for being gay, I was sentenced for 2 years in gaol. However I didn’t spend that much time there thank god for that. I just spent 3 months until the charges were dropped. It was a traumatising experience for me. The charges were dropped only by the judge when I was examined by a doctor to make sure I am not practicing any gay sex.”
“I look at it now in a completely different way. It still hurts when I talk about it but I think it’s time to let it out. I think the positive thing out of it is that I’m free. I’m now free. I’m enjoying my freedom and I’m enjoying the respect of my friends whom I have here. Sometimes I think people take their freedom for granted.”