Out of the closet, into the fire

Lebanon is gay-friendly by Arab standards, but that's not saying much.

By Ben Gilbert - GlobalPost
Published: June 25, 2009 19:44 ET
Updated: June 26, 2009 14:06 ET
Page 3 of 3

Makarem said that even though the gay community has been accepted in Beirut’s more tolerant and diverse neighborhoods, society is socially and religiously conservative, and misperceptions and misinformation hold sway over a vast majority of the population.

“I don’t think homosexuality should be legal,” said Maryah D., a 17-year-old sophomore who attended a debate on homosexuality at the American University of Beirut in April.

“Almost 60 percent of gay people have AIDS,” said Maryah, who asked that her last name not be used. “Homosexuality is a sin. They should be sent to an organization with psychologists to transform them into heterosexuals. Homosexuals are still considered deviants, and as Muslims, it is our responsibility to advise them.”

Others in the audience echoed Maryah’s opinions.

“You argue that homosexuality is natural because animals do it,” said one audience member to a panel that included Helem’s Makarem. “Well, some animals eat their own feces, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK.”

Although Lebanon just held an election, it was this type of attitude that prevented the issue of gay rights from becoming a political third rail. Only two politicians have publicly supported the abolition of law 534; the former minister of justice recommended that the law be struck down, but the recommendation went nowhere. 

Still, gays here tend to accept the conservative social norms and enjoy their relative freedom compared with the rest of the Arab world. Elias Haddad, the gay man whose parents don’t know about his sexuality, has had a boyfriend for nearly two years. He said he was happy now that he had accepted his homosexuality. He just wishes he could tell his parents. 

“I want to live my life, and I want my parents to know, I don’t want to hide from them,” he said. “My friends’ parents know, but not my parents. Everyone accepts it if a guy is gay so long as it’s not their child, their son or their brother.”

Read more on Lebanon:

From displacement to homelessness

Lebanon's basketball addiction

Financial crisis sends Lebanese packing ... for home

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