A Slow and Steady Crawl for LGBT Rights in the Middle East

There have been horror stories coming out of Iraq now for months, detailing the torturous and murderous campaign being waged against the Iraqi LGBT community.  We also know stories from Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and many other Middle Eastern countries when it comes to the plight of the LGBT population.  When the United Nations debated a statement in December 2008 calling for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality, Israel was the only country in the region to sign it.

In short, the Middle East has long been a region not entirely friendly to LGBT people.  But has that fact begun to change?

One organization in Lebanon - Helem - is arguing that it might be, albeit slowly.  The AP profiles them today, and in particular the organization's efforts to overturn a statute in Lebanon that criminalizes homosexuality.  Lebanon's law is known as Article 534, and it prohibits sexual relations which (in the Lebanese government's eyes) contradict nature.  Same-sex relationships fall under that hat in Lebanon.

As the AP notes, much of Helem's work is being done under the radar screen, because of threats of persecution and a clamp down by authorities.  But the work Helem is doing is vital.  It includes working with police officers to push for more sensitivity and protection for Lebanon's LGBT people, as well as lobbying government leaders and religious leaders who have historically been hostile toward LGBT issues.

Helem's mission is "break the silence surrounding sexuality in general and homosexuality in particular...and to counter the lack of information (particularly in Arabic) and the pervasive misinformation about homosexuality by providing objective, factual information, initiating dialogue, and refuting common misconceptions about homosexuality."  It's a noble mission, given the region. And all-important, too, given the pandemic of global LGBT violence.