Lebanon’s Interior Minister, Bassam Mawlawi, issued a statement instructing security forces to stop LGBTQ+ gatherings. This is apparently following pressure from religious authorities who expressed their disapproval of queer-friendly events that had been taking place in Lebanon during Pride month.
Mawlawi added that the order followed “calls on social media to organize parties and events promoting homosexuality in Lebanon, and following communication from religious figures rejecting the spread of this phenomenon.”
Mawlawi instructed security forces to “immediately take the necessary measures to prevent any type of celebration, meeting or gathering” catering to the LGBTQ+ community. He stated that such homosexual activities oppose “our values and traditions.”
This statement has resulted in a quick public backlash.
Members of the queer community face systematic discrimination in Lebanon. LGBTQ+ events regularly get raided or canceled. There still exists however LGBTQ+ friendly spots in Lebanon that welcome everyone.
