Libya, Africa

With an area of almost 1.8 million square kilometres (700,000 sq mi), 90% of which is desert, Libya is the fourth largest country in Africa by area, and the 17th largest in the world. Libya has the fifth highest GDP largely due to its large petroleum reserves and low population. In 1969, a small group of military officers led by then 27-year-old army officer Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi staged a coup d’état against King Idris. Gaddafi has ruled since with an iron fist despite the existence of a legislative branch of government. Homosexuality is illegal and can be punished with up to 5 years imprisonment, or 10 years when committed in an act of violence. Libya has also been known to execute gays and lesbians under Islamic Sharia Law. Also see: Islam and Homosexuality

 

 

Less than human

The situation for gays in Libya was never easy, but since ISIS militias are controlling some areas of the country, things have gotten even worse. This April, in a mosque courtyard in Derna in eastern Libya, the Islamist extremists executed three young men they charged with homosexual acts. Lined up next to one another, each… Read more »

Libya: Gay men speak out about abductions and beatings by Islamic militia

Gay men in Libya have spoken out about the largest and most powerful militia brigade, and claim that men have been arrested, and assaulted by them, just for being gay. The Times reported that the Nawasi brigade, Tripoli’s biggest Islamist militia group, are to blame for the abductions and beatings, and witnesses said such arrests… Read more »

Libyan militia to surrender homosexual captives

Twelve alleged homosexuals abducted last week from a private party in Tripoli’s Ain Zara district will be handed over to the justice ministry; Libya Herald quoted a senior member of the Nawasi Brigade as saying on Tuesday (November 27th). The so-called “Private Deterrent Force” posted images of the men on its Facebook page, saying the… Read more »

Libya: Islamic supremacists threaten mutilation and death for kidnapped “homosexuals”

“The Nawasi brigade…claims to be under the authority of the Ministry of Interior.” Sharia descending upon brave new democratic “Arab Spring” Libya: “Extremists threaten mutilation and death for seized ‘homosexuals,’” from Libya Herald, November 26 (thanks to The Religion of Peace): Extremists say they will execute a dozen men they allege are homosexuals, whom they… Read more »

Maghreb bike tour supports human rights

A bike tour by young Tunisians, Libyans and Egyptians aims to gather signatures for a petition against torture and human rights abuses, Tunisia Live reported on Sunday (July 1st). According to Mosaique FM, the delegation is meeting government and civil society representatives across North Africa. The young activists have already obtained signatures from the Egyptian… Read more »

Interview: Gays and the Libyan revolution, before and after (part two)

There is hope for the future among Libyans after the revolution, including LGBT people, but a recognition that progress towards a freer society may be slow. In a previous interview we spoke with Khaleed, a 31-year-old gay activist from the east of Libya about his experiences under the Gadaffi regime. Now, in this second part,… Read more »

My life as a gay man in post-Gaddafi Libya

In our second interview with Libyan LGBT activist Khaleed, he talks about his life after the revolution in Libya The revolution changed life for all Libyans, including LGBT citizens, and there is optimism for the future. There is hope for the future among Libyans after the revolution, including LGBT people, but a recognition that progress… Read more »

Libya: UN delegate says gays ‘affect continuation of humanity’

Gays threaten the continuation of the human race, Libya’s UN delegate has reportedly told the organisation’s Human Rights Council. The UN Watch monitoring group reported comments made yesterday at Libya’s first appearance after it overthrew the Gadaffi regime. Libya was reinstated to the Human Rights Council in November of last year with its delegate pledging… Read more »

Libya Tells UN Rights Council: “Gays threaten continuation of human race”

Geneva – Gays threaten the continuation of the human race, Libya’s delegate told a planning meeting of the UN Human Rights Council today, reported the Geneva-based UN Watch monitoring group. It was the first appearance in the 47-nation body by the post-Gaddafi government, whose membership was restored in November following Libya’s suspension in March. Protesting… Read more »

My life as a gay man under Gaddafi

First of a two-part interview with Libyan LGBT activist Khaleed about his life before and after the revolution in Libya Libya dominated the headlines last year but the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender population of the country received very little attention internationally. I interviewed Khaleed, a 31-year-old LGBT activist about his life in the North… Read more »

Gay Libya News and Reports

Also see: Islam and Homosexuality Behind the Mask LGBT African website    More information about Islam & Homosexuality can be found at: www.al-fatiha.org Other articles of interest can be found at: groups.yahoo.com/group/al-fatiha-news Queer Muslim magazine: Huriyah Gay Islam discussion groups: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/muslimgaymen     http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lgbtmuslim http://groups.yahoo.com/group/queerjihad          http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bimuslims http://groups.yahoo.com/group/transmuslims       http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lesbianmuslims 1 Gadhafi: ‘Straights’ don’t get AIDS 7/03 2 Human… Read more »