Activists from the Lebanese LGBTQ+ community protest outside a police station in Beirut, May 15, 2016. (Credit: AFP)
BEIRUT — The Loyalty to the Resistance bloc said Thursday that it “rejects any tolerance of the promoters of sexual perversion, pornography and homosexuality” in Lebanon because of the “danger” it poses to Lebanese society.
Here’s what we know:
• In a statement released Thursday, the Loyalty to the Resistance bloc said that, in accordance with the bloc’s “religious, humanitarian, legal, constitutional and moral commitment,” it rejects “the abnormal phenomena” that homosexuals promote.
• The bloc added that it welcomes the position of “those Islamic and Christian authorities that condemn these phenomena and their promoters,” urging all institutional circles, “especially educational, professional, social and charitable organizations, to issue stances condemning these novel perversions.”
• The Lebanese Psychiatric Association released a statement Wednesday stating that “homosexuality cannot be considered a disease that requires treatment.”
• Amid celebrations of Pride Month by the LGBTQ+ community, Lebanon's caretaker Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi last Friday sent a letter to the General Directorate of General Security and the General Directorate of the Internal Security Forces (ISF) calling on security forces to prevent gatherings that "promote sexual perversion," referring to homosexuality.
• Meanwhile, Lebanese snack manufacturer Master Chips announced Monday that it will remove the rainbow colors from the packaging of its bags of potato chips, the rainbow conventionally represents the LGBTQ+ community.