The first official LGBT advocacy group and gay pride parade seem promising, but discrimination and imprisonment are still real threats. By Thessa Lageman 8 July 2015 http://www.middleeasteye.net/in-depth/features/tunisian-lgbt-community-making-strides-165913373 There are about seven organisations in Tunisia that fight for the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT), but you wouldn’t know it
Around forty percent of Tunisia is composed of the Sahara desert, with much of the remainder consisting of particularly fertile soil and a 1300 km coastline. Both played a prominent role in ancient times, first with the famous Phoenician city of Carthage, then as the Africa Province which became known as the bread basket of the Roman Empire, and then as the Maghreb region of various medieval Islamic states. Tunisia ranks high among Arab and African nations in reports released by The World Economic Forum. The Tunisian Penal Code decrees imprisonment of up to three years for sodomy between consenting adults. The Tunisian government tightly censors the internet and in addition to blocking sites containing political opposition. Tunisia also filters pornography and gay-related content. Yet despite harassment and occasional imprisonment gays have a degree of freedom compared to nearby Libya, Egypt and Sudan. Also see: Islam and Homosexuality
Name: Tunisia
Population: 10043000
Capital: Tunis - Pop. 1996000
Area: 163610 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: Arabic, French
Religion: Muslim
Status of Homosexuality: Illegal
Telephone Country Code: 216
Tunisia just became the first Arab country to recognise same-sex marriage – but there’s a catch, 2020/Apr/28
Tunisia: Effort to Shut Down LGBT Group, 2019/Feb/26
Tunisian government bans Call Me By Your Name, 2018/Mar/01
New coalition in Tunisia fights for LGBTQI rights, 2017/Feb/22
Tunisia: Attack targets LGBTQ activist from Shams, 2016/Apr/30
Scientific facts about homosexuality, 2015/Oct/01
Tunisian LGBT community making strides, 2015/Jul/08
Tunisia recognizes first LGBT association, 2015/May/25
Is It Finally Ok To Be Gay In Tunisia?, 2015/May/24
Tunisia: Swedish man jailed for homosexual acts, 2015/Feb/08
MSM Advocates from the MENA Region Launch “M-Coalition”: The First Arab Coalition on MSM and HIV, 2014/Jul/22
Tunisia jails rapper Weld El 15, 2013/Jun/14
Tunisian film tops Cannes, 2013/May/28
French lesbian love story wins top prize at Cannes, 2013/May/27
Two men arrested under Tunisian sodomy law, 2013/Apr/02
Tunisia Battles Over Pulpits, and Revolt’s Legacy, 2012/Nov/16
Maghreb bike tour supports human rights, 2012/Jul/02
Tunisian gay magazine hacked, 2012/Mar/15
Ex diplomat quizzes Tunisian leader on gay rights, 2012/Feb/29
Tunisian journalists arrested over naked picture, 2012/Feb/16
Gay Tunisians speak out, 2012/Jan/26
Gay Tunisia News & Reports 2011, 2011/Apr/12
Gay Tunisia News & Reports 2006-10, 2009/Jan/01
