If caught by jihadis, Syrian gays may be thrown from rooftops, or ransomed. And many live in fear of their own families. But Lebanon’s not the safe haven they hoped. Reporting from Beirut by Amelie Zaccour Two young men we’ll call Karim and Tareq were walking through the streets of Raqqa, Syria, in September
Following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I, the five provinces that comprise present-day Lebanon were mandated to France. The country gained independence in 1943, and French troops withdrew in 1946.
Homosexuality remains a crime in Lebanon, but the country is unusual among Arab-majority nations in that it has a small internal gay rights movement. As a practical matter, enforcement of the law is varied and often occurs through occasional police harassment and arrests. Aside from the criminal law, gay Lebanese civilians have been charged with violating censorship laws regulating free speech and free press. In 2000, the webmaster of gaylebanon.com faced military charges for maintaining a website for gay and lesbian Lebanese. Aside from occasional harassment LGBT citizens gather easily and discreetly.
Also see: Islam and Homosexuality. Also see new lesbian book: Bareed Mista3jil.
Name: Lebanon
Population: 4099000
Capital: Beirut - Pop. 2150000
Area: 10452 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: Arabic
Religion: Muslim, Christian, Jewish
Status of Homosexuality: Illegal (lightly enforced)
Telephone Country Code: 961
Lebanon Country Photos
Lebanon is known for its unique efforts in the Middle East to guarantee civil rights and freedom to its citizens, ranking first in the Middle East and 26th worldwide (out of 66 countries) in the The World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2011. Due to its tightly regulated financial system and the highest gold