As if fleeing from tyranny and war are not enough, Syrian LGBT refugees face continued abuse and hostility from other non-gay refugees in Europe. By Anthony Faiola Washington Post October 24, 2015 https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/gay-asylum-seekers-face-threat-from-fellow-refugees-in-europe/2015/10/23/46762ce2-71b8-11e5-ba14-318f8e87a2fc_story.html Dresden, Germany Rami Ktifan made a snap decision to come out. A fellow Syrian had spotted a rainbow flag lying
As of mid 2018 Syria is being torn apart by revolution, civil war, terrorist and anti-government forces all exchanging bombs, bullets, torture and assassinations. The once pleasant somewhat gay friendly city of Aleppo is half in ruins. Refugees are scattered everywhere. Chaos reigns. Any semblance of LGBT life is shattered except for private friendships.
Syria was formerly a French mandate and attained independence in 1946, but can trace its roots to the Eblan civilization in the third millennium BC. Homosexuality is of course considered illegal although instances of persecution were limited. Article 520 of the penal code of 1949, prohibits having homosexual relations, i.e. “carnal knowledge against the order of nature”, and provides for a possible three-years imprisonment. However, the law is de-facto was before the war suspended although authorities used individuals’ sexual orientation to blackmail, harass and eventually abuse members of the LGBT community. Law enforcement officers have (officially) zero tolerance toward the LGBT community.Now that war has engulfed the country anything goes and legal standards are frayed. LGBT life is truly in limbo. Also see: Islam and Homosexuality
Name: Syria
Population: 19405000
Capital: Damascus - Pop. 4000000
Area: 185180 sq. km/ sq. miles
Language: Arabic
Religion: Muslim
Status of Homosexuality: Illegal (erratically enforced)
Telephone Country Code: 963
Gay Syrians In Lebanon–Refugees from ISIS
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
Gay in Syria During a War
The revolution in Syria has put thousands of gay people at high risk of torture and death from all fighting sides–Islamist extremists, Assad loyalists and opposition rebels. It is currently one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a LGBT person. There is no mercy from any of these warring parties. The
Gay Life in Syria: an Interview with a Gay ‘Refugee’
Introduction The Middle East in the 21st century is a boiling cauldron of political and social change. Rebellions and revolutions have taken down long ruling dictators and corrupt governments. But the transition to Arab democracy is fraught with conflicting issues, mainly how to define and integrate the new democracy with the deep influence of
Gay Life in Syria: Changing Realities
Introduction A recent report from the website GayMiddle East offers an update about “Gay Life in Syria”, somewhat positive but with ever-present changes in the political milieu that has historically repressed gay citizens. Privately, however, this hidden population adapts to the changes and continues on with life in the closet even as there are improved
Gay Syria 2004 – Personal Stories
Introduction A guest writer, a native Syrian man, tells his secret of self-discovery in a very secretive culture. He ponders why Syria has little understanding about homosexuality. This is followed by a very different narrative by a gay American visitor about his steamy night in a bath house in Damascus. He finds “Gay Syria” an
