Gay Rights vs Depravity and Vulgarity - in Lebanon
By Sara Shayanian | (UPI)
Gay pride celebrations in Lebanon this week have been canceled after the event's organizer was arrested for "breaching" public morality.
Organizer Hami Damien was detained by police for questioning over the pride events after Lebanese authorities tried to stop a related event Monday night, saying it was not approved by the country's censorship authorities.
Damien was released after signing a pledge to cancel the week's remaining events.
Damien said he was warned that if he didn't make the promise he'd be interrogated by an investigative judge "on the basis of articles pertaining to the incitement to immorality and to the breach of public morality."
Layal Saqr, Damien's lawyer, said she advised him to agree.
"This was a warning ... and the aim was to stop the events," Saqr said.
Damien said he signed the pledge to avoid a wider crackdown.
"I didn't want to cause panic or disappoint in the LGBT community," he added.
Last year, Lebanon became the first Arab country to hold a gay pride week.
I expect, officials in Lebanon were horrified by last year's parade at the sheer vulgarity of the thing. They can be shockingly obscene.
Although Lebanon is considered more tolerant than other neighboring Arab nations toward the LGBT community, many still face potential legal action.
Article 534 of Lebanon's penal code allows punishment for "any sexual intercourse contrary to the order of nature." Violators can get up to one year in prison.
Beirut Pride's festivities included a street party, a drag show, legal workshops, concerts and poetry readings.
In the region, only Israel and Turkey organize pride week celebrations.
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