Homosexuality, a Western vice: In much of the Middle East, it’s getting more dangerous to be gay

[DonViejo]

"It’s not the right time for advancing gay rights here"

JACOB WIRTSCHAFTER, GLOBALPOST

Just after it became known in June that the attacker of Orlando’s Pulse nightclub had pledged allegiance to ISIS, Egypt’s foreign ministry immediately moved to condemn the attack on a U.S. gay bar.

“Egypt stands next to the American people in these difficult times, offering sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wishing the injured a speedy recovery,”the ministry said.

Yet the statement didn’t acknowledge that Pulse was a gay club or that many of the victims were members of the LGBTQ community.

Three days later, a court in Cairo sentenced two 18-year-olds to three years in prison on charges of “debauchery”: The young men were apprehended through government surveillance of social media dating apps for gay men, according to court records.

It’s no surprise to gay Egyptians, says community leaders. In fact, they say Egypt has become one of the world’s biggest jailers of gay men, with as many as 500 behind bars on “morals” charges — and the crackdown is escalating.

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http://www.salon.com/2016/09/11/homosexuality-a-western-vice-in-much-of-the-middle-east-it-is-getting-more-dangerous-to-be-gay_partner/

[Bernardo de La Paz]

1. It's NOT a VICE, ffs. . . . . nt