Homosexuals in Lebanon! New Pink Dollar Equation!
Last week, Lebanese police in civilian clothes paid a visit to Acid, a Lebanese nightclub known for its homosexual clientele. As witnesses described it, the music was lowered and people were asked for IDs. One eyewitness reported his friend was dancing on the bar when he was asked to step down for “they” wanted to talk with him outside. There, he was addressed as a "Lotti"(check below) while they took him on the police jeep awaiting outside. The night resulted in 11 arrested men who stayed in detention till Tuesday morning.
It is frequent that the police raids Acid to put pressure on the owner in the hope of blackmailing more money. Though in most cases these "visits" do not result with arrests. Rumours spread that the owner accompanied the arrestees hoping to speed their release; he ended up being detained with them.
News of the arrested men being verbally abused, threatened and one of them being slapped by the police forces have been circulated; to the silence of everyone.
In Lebanon, though homosexuals enjoy a relatively relaxed environment compared to their Arab counterparts; homosexuality is "illegal" according to article 534 which deem up to one year of jail for homosexuals. Helem is the first, and till today remains the only, LGB rights group working openly under the sovereignty of an Arab state. (Helem claims LGBTIQ, though no reported work is happening on TTIQ issues)
Recently, Helem's website (only on the english page), read the following disclaimer " Helem is aware of the recent police raids at Acid and X-OM Clubs, and we are making the right contacts to gather more information". No information has been provided since.
Later this week, Acid has been reported to be closed with "red tape" (meaning by the state). Within the same week, the police raided another club, X-OM, under the claim of drug searches. X-OM used to be called Orange Mechanic and was known as a homosexual popular spot. Now-a-days, X-OM has one night a week that is unofficially known as the "gay night", and is relatively popular among the Gay Scene in Beirut. Surprisingly, the police chose to raid on that single night of the week though no arrests were reported, at least not of homosexual persons.
The Lebanese police have for years benefited from the silence of the Lebanese government which turns a "blind eye" on homosexuality in Lebanon. They have used this along with article 534 to secure a profit. It is common for policemen to blackmail mainly homosexual men and the few "gay-friendly" businesses. Blackmailing was reported several times, where a series of threats have been used. Among threats usually used are outings to family or in workplaces, an "illegal" procedure known as the "anal probe" which uses a myth of anal-virginity verified by a physician (in some cases the examination took part in the police station with the presence of unneeded number of policemen), social scandals, and physical and/or verbal violence.
As “illegal” immigrants, workers, refugees, political opponents…etc, homosexuals pose an easy target for manipulation and abuse. This new equation of discrimination between business owners and the police does not concern nor include homosexual individuals. Discrimination and repression has to end now, whether direct or indirect.
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Lotti is the arabic word commonly used to refer to homosexual men, and it is in reference to profit Lot of Sodom and Gomorrah both in the Bible and the Qura´an. The term is derogatory and condemnatory.
It is frequent that the police raids Acid to put pressure on the owner in the hope of blackmailing more money. Though in most cases these "visits" do not result with arrests. Rumours spread that the owner accompanied the arrestees hoping to speed their release; he ended up being detained with them.
News of the arrested men being verbally abused, threatened and one of them being slapped by the police forces have been circulated; to the silence of everyone.
In Lebanon, though homosexuals enjoy a relatively relaxed environment compared to their Arab counterparts; homosexuality is "illegal" according to article 534 which deem up to one year of jail for homosexuals. Helem is the first, and till today remains the only, LGB rights group working openly under the sovereignty of an Arab state. (Helem claims LGBTIQ, though no reported work is happening on TTIQ issues)
Recently, Helem's website (only on the english page), read the following disclaimer " Helem is aware of the recent police raids at Acid and X-OM Clubs, and we are making the right contacts to gather more information". No information has been provided since.
Later this week, Acid has been reported to be closed with "red tape" (meaning by the state). Within the same week, the police raided another club, X-OM, under the claim of drug searches. X-OM used to be called Orange Mechanic and was known as a homosexual popular spot. Now-a-days, X-OM has one night a week that is unofficially known as the "gay night", and is relatively popular among the Gay Scene in Beirut. Surprisingly, the police chose to raid on that single night of the week though no arrests were reported, at least not of homosexual persons.
The Lebanese police have for years benefited from the silence of the Lebanese government which turns a "blind eye" on homosexuality in Lebanon. They have used this along with article 534 to secure a profit. It is common for policemen to blackmail mainly homosexual men and the few "gay-friendly" businesses. Blackmailing was reported several times, where a series of threats have been used. Among threats usually used are outings to family or in workplaces, an "illegal" procedure known as the "anal probe" which uses a myth of anal-virginity verified by a physician (in some cases the examination took part in the police station with the presence of unneeded number of policemen), social scandals, and physical and/or verbal violence.
As “illegal” immigrants, workers, refugees, political opponents…etc, homosexuals pose an easy target for manipulation and abuse. This new equation of discrimination between business owners and the police does not concern nor include homosexual individuals. Discrimination and repression has to end now, whether direct or indirect.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Lotti is the arabic word commonly used to refer to homosexual men, and it is in reference to profit Lot of Sodom and Gomorrah both in the Bible and the Qura´an. The term is derogatory and condemnatory.
posted by Qursana at 4:51 AM
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