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State Council suspends LGBTQ+ gatherings ban

Helem organization deemed the decision a "victory" against the "Minister of Interior's homophobic decision"

State Council suspends LGBTQ+ gatherings ban

The rainbow flag, a symbol of the LGBTQT+ community. (Credit: AFP/File)

BEIRUT — Helem ("Dream" in Arabic), an NGO dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights, announced Tuesday that the State Council temporarily suspended the ban on LGBTQ+ gatherings that was called for by Minister of Interior Bassam Mawlawi in June.

The NGO deemed the State Council's decision, which was rendered following an appeal submitted by Helem and the NGO Legal Agenda, "a victory for this community in Lebanon." 

In a statement published on Twitter entitled "Suspension of the Minister of Interior's homophobic decision," Helem said the State Council's decision "strengthens the legal position of LGBTQ+ people in Lebanon." However, Helem specifies that this is a "temporary decision until the State Council makes its final decision."

Mawlawi sent a letter to General Security and Internal Security Forces on June 24 in which he instructed both institutions to prevent gatherings that promote what he called "unnatural sexual relations." The ban came after religious leaders — including Sunni Mufti Sheikh Abdel Latif Derian, Jaafarite Mufti Ahmad Kabalan, and Druze Sheikh Akel Sami Abi el-Mouna — condemned celebrations organized by the LGBTQ+ community in early June, or Pride Month— a month during which the struggles and victories of the LGBTQ+ community are commemorated and celebrated.

The Minister of Interior described such activities as "a violation of the habits and traditions of our society, contrary to the principles of monotheistic religions." The complaint, filed by Legal Agenda and Helem with the Council of State, challenged the minister's decision on the grounds that it violated constitutional rights and incited violence and hatred against marginalized communities, which should be protected.

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For its part, Legal Agenda said the State Council's decision "is a positive step for the protection of marginalized communities in Lebanon and builds on precedents where the State Council has strengthened public freedoms for marginalized communities, including freedom of expression and participation in public debates on sexuality."

"The security services can no longer rely on the minister's decision to ban meetings, rallies, or conferences on gay issues or to restrict the work of organizations that advocate for gay rights," Legal Agenda added. The NGO also noted that the decision was issued by the first chamber of the State Council, composed of judges Fadi Elias (president), Patricia Fares and Carl Irani.

Helem's director, Tarek Zeidan, told L'Orient-Le Jour he is "very happy and almost euphoric" about the ban suspension.

"This is an extremely important decision," he added. "We were not sure if we could get a suspension before the State Council issued its final decision. Usually, when we make this type of request, it gets denied. This is a huge step."

"The decision of the Minister of the Interior is irresponsible," Zeidan protested, adding that the decision was also "contrary to the constitution, to the law and to common sense."

"He cannot make this type of decision based on his personal beliefs and personal positions on LGBTQ+ rights," said Zeidan. "We still need to remain vigilant, continue to fight, refuse to be used as scapegoats by the guardians of a corrupt and failed regime. We want to be protected against abuse and discrimination, and we want equal opportunities in getting jobs, education and access to health care."

"An independent judicial system is the best solution to the problems we face," Zeidan added.

Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code, which prohibits having sexual relations that “contradict the laws of nature," has been used to prosecute people for same-sex relations, although in recent years, courts have held that it does not apply to same-sex acts practiced in private between consenting adults.

BEIRUT — Helem ("Dream" in Arabic), an NGO dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights, announced Tuesday that the State Council temporarily suspended the ban on LGBTQ+ gatherings that was called for by Minister of Interior Bassam Mawlawi in June.The NGO deemed the State Council's decision, which was rendered following an appeal submitted by Helem and the NGO Legal Agenda, "a victory for this community in...