Dozens Protest against Anal Exams on Suspected Gays
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
Dozens of people demonstrated outside the law courts in Beirut on Saturday to protest the use of anal "tests" on men suspected of homosexuality, which is a criminal offence.
The rally followed a July 28 police raid on a gay venue in a working class district of Beirut when 36 men were taken into custody and forced to undergo the examinations, reportedly to determine their sexual orientation.
Lebanon-based HELEM, considered the Arab world's leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights group, called for the rally under the slogan: "Stand up against the tests of shame, vaginal or anal."
It also voiced solidarity with women subjected to so-called "virginity tests."
"We're here because we want a clear statement from the ministry of justice that these kinds of tests should be completely abolished and punished by the law," said participant George Azzi.
"The syndicate of doctors has declared these tests are irrelevant scientifically and it's illegal for doctors to do these tests, but that doesn't mean police can't still request it," he said.
Men and women -- ranging from gay and lesbian young adults to a father and daughter -- chanted in unison and held banners that read: "United to abolish the tests of shame."
Other homemade signs struck a more sarcastic tone: "Honorable minister, before you test my anus, at least take me out to dinner," read one.
But for most, the tests were no laughing matter.
One sign read: "The cost of forensic rape: 125,000 Lebanese lira" (about $85), pointing out that the men subjected to the anal probes were being charged for the procedure.
Under Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code, sexual relations "contradicting the laws of nature" are illegal and violators may be punished by up to one year in prison.
11 August 2012, 17:28
00
"Lebanese Authorities" seem to have too much time on their hands. Did they run out of things to do? Really now? Probing people's anuses?
11 August 2012, 17:31
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Shameful law introduced by the french mandate. Since then, to respect human rights, the French have moved on beyond homophobia into allowing gay marriage. And we are still stuck in middle ages, in good company with Egypt and Pakistan. Our laws actually INSTITUTIONALIZE the medical rape of people to determine if they are gay or not!!! Why the f... is it the affair of the police if one is gay or not? Let them go after the kidnappers and the tire burners instead of raping our honest citizens because they are different. SHAME on the politicians who dont call for changing these medieval laws.
11 August 2012, 20:02
11
Dont gratify him with an answer FT. He is gouverned by hate plus I don't think he has much of an IQ.
11 August 2012, 21:18
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tony leich hal 7akeh el wisikh? ya 3ammeh we are civilized people, what purpose does this kind of talk serve? Can't we say we disagree with homosexuality without being inhumane about it? This is not what Christ taught us. Unbelievable. Tony please retract this statement, it is as bad as FT’s “shooting M14 supporters in the head and dissolving them acid”. Please brother retract now…
11 August 2012, 22:55
30
I just reacted on the funny way Naharnet put this: "....outside the law courts in Beirut on Saturday to protest the use of anal "tests" on men suspected of homosexuality, which is a criminal offence in the Arab country......"
In the ARAB country? Who is writing Naharnets articles? That is clearly the wording for somebody from Europe or US. It´s a same if a Lebanese newspaper cant write articles about Lebanon by themselves.
12 August 2012, 09:33
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if you look down, you would see agence france press. Naharnet does not get all its news. article written by afp.
12 August 2012, 15:11
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Still. My point is valid. How can a Lebanese newspaper copy news about Lebanon from France?
12 August 2012, 16:20
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AFP is an international news agency with desks all over teh world. Its lebanon desk got this story, fed it to AFP who distributed it to nowlebanon, lorientlejour, naharnet, and other news portals. That is globalization my friend...:-)
12 August 2012, 02:24
12
Great! let's have anal exams on every M8 and M14 "politician ":D loooooooooooooooooooooooooool
13 August 2012, 18:18
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Lebanon has not been ruled by the French for a long time, so stop blaming others for Lebanon's absurd laws. Besides, Islamic law prohibits homosexuality. Or are you going to say the French introduced Islam too?
13 August 2012, 03:11
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You think there will be boycotts and outrage from the gay community
Nah that's only for Chick fil a and Israel
