By Mohammad El Sahily | Staff Writer
Caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi has ordered the Internal Security Forces to ban an event that was scheduled for the 19th and 20th of November at a hotel in Achrafieh because it promoted “sexual deviance”. This is not Mawlawi’s first attack on LGBT rights: in June, he issued a decision during Pride Month which mandated the closing of all venues and gatherings which promoted “deviant morals” and “corrupted” Lebanese society. Strangely enough, the State Council suspended the aforementioned decision based on a complaint brought forth by the LGBT advocacy group Helem. Therefore, the minister is now violating State Council decisions.
The LGBT community in Lebanon, and the Middle East in general, has been historically persecuted. Given the sectarian and patriarchal nature of Lebanese society, conservative religious establishments held great sway over the social and private affairs of individuals. As such, homosexuality was seen as an “unnatural sexual act” that was penalized. Until a recent ruling by an appeals court, homosexuality was criminalized and prosecuted fervently. This was all compounded by concerted hate speech by politicians, religious leaders, and political parties who constantly agitated against the community, especially during election seasons to garner conservative votes.
LGBT advocacy efforts in Lebanon have always been met with severe government and popular backlash. Last summer, following the minister’s decision, there was a flurry of hate speech and homophobic sentiment directed toward community members and activists on social media. A planned event in front of the Ministry of Interior was canceled at the last minute due to the extent of death threats from Muslim and Christian religious zealots. The region of Achrafieh was hounded by a group of thugs known as “Soldiers of God”, who vandalized a flower memorial for victims of violence against members of the LGBT community.
There is no doubt that Mawlawi’s step will increase pressure on the LGBT community, which is already suffering from exploitation, violence, extortion, and the lack of acceptance of its members by others; affecting their civil rights and chances in life. The decision of the Lebanese authority seems to replicate a tactic known by repressive regimes, which is based on creating a situation of moral panic to divert attention from the failed performance of the state, its corruption, and its inability to secure a decent life and justice for its citizens, thus delegitimizing any criticism of the government’s policies.
The surprise here was the split among opposition groups regarding the minister’s decision in June. Taqaddam party issued a statement in which it considered Mawlawi’s step a violation of the Lebanese constitution and the human rights law. Shamaluna also considered that what the Minister of Interior did falls within “a culture of exclusionism” that is outdated. On the other hand, MP Yassin Yassin supported Mawlawi’s decision, condemning the attack on the position of the Grand Mufti of the Republic. Ex-MP Rami Finj also took the same position, advocating for the “protection and sanctity of religious leaders”.
Unfortunately, the LGBT community continues to be the scapegoat of repressive and authoritarian attacks by the regime and by a disillusioned society that preys on its most
vulnerable in times of social upheaval. Until we have genuine political reform, the current system will continue to enforce discriminatory measures and attitudes against people simply for who they are, while ignoring genuine and dangerous problems which plague our society. LGBT rights must be upheld by all opposition parties aiming at overturning the system and protecting human rights for everyone.