Tag: Egypt

A stranded tanker loaded with oil off the coast of Yemen is threatening a massive environmental disaster in the Red Sea with experts describing the situation as a "floating bomb". The Safer tanker, owned by Yemen's biggest oil company, has been moored some 7km off the Yemeni port of Ras Isa, in the north-west of the country, for decades, where it was being used as a floating storage and offloading terminal. But it has been left unmaintained since 2015 when the...

British Airways cancelled all flights to Cairo for a week on Saturday as a security “precaution”. Lufthansa followed suit, abruptly suspended flights to Cairo too. Lufthansa later said it had cancelled its flights to Cairo on Saturday from Munich and Frankfurt and will resume its flights on Sunday (July 21). British Airways said that it would never operate an aircraft unless it was safe to do so. When asked for more details about why flights had been suspended and what security...

Kimahli Powell, 43 Fundraiser, activist, lifesaver Raised in Canada by Jamaican-born parents, Kimahli Powell knows how he lives in a forward-thinking country that prioritizes equal rights for all its citizens. Not content to simply enjoy his own good fortune, Powell has spent his career helping others, through his work at the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, Dignitas International, and other non-profits. In 2016, he became Executive Director of Rainbow Railroad, leading efforts to usher LGBTQ people out of dangerous home countries to...

Nine people have been arrested in Egypt accused of “debauchery” for being gay after neighbours accused them of being “weird”. The men were arrested on Monday, accused of “debauchery” after being accused of being gay. The Dekheila Prosecution in Alexandria arrested the men after they were reported for being “weird” and frequently visiting an apartment. According to reports, investigations ensued after an estate agent rented the property for sex parties. Authorities said the men had put up a wall of secrecy on what...

Do we all have it good? There are many of us that have a great job, a wonderful roof over our heads, and not too many worries that our sexuality is an issue with those and the community around us. Life could always be better, a heck of a lot better, but the core is there and strong. But there are many that don't and we hear from them, too. There are messages weekly that say "can you help me"...

It’s been just over two months since Egypt ramped up its efforts to persecute LGBTQ people in the country – and now 14 men have received prison sentences just for being gay. The victims have all been sentenced to three years in jail for ‘abnormal’ sexual relations, but were each released on bail of 5,000 Egyptian pounds ($283, €230). They will now have to wait for their appeals trial. The trial of three other men has been delayed over procedural reasons, defence...

More than 60 members of Egypt’s Parliament have supported a “deeply discriminatory” law that will criminalise same-sex sexual activity. It’s believed 75 people have been arrested in the crackdown so far against LGBT+ citizens, and the proposed jail sentences are terrifying. If passed, the law could see those convicted of pro-LGBT+ activity sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, with authorities given the ability to to publicly shame those found guilty by publishing their names and sentences in national newspapers. A...

The anti-gay crackdown in Egypt is getting hotter and hotter as each day goes and now Grindr users might want to get off the app if they want to stay safe. Just last week, we shared that Grindr was sharing information on how to stay safe with users in the country of Egypt. But, it looks like the app may be more of a liability than a help now. Apparently, Egyptian police are luring gay men to hotels while using Grindr...

Following reports of Egypt's LGBT "crackdown," a MP has allegedly drafted a new homophobic law to criminalize homosexuality. Earlier this month, Egyptian men were reportedly arrested for “promoting sexual deviancy” and “debauchery,” subjected to forced anal examinations, according to Amnesty International. At least 11 men were arrested, and according to reports, more were being "hunted." Continuing the homophobic trend, a new law drafted by an Egyptian MP would criminalize gay sex. Additionally, heterosexual "supporters" and/or "promoters" of homosexuality would also face jail...

Several men have shared their experiences about the anti-LGBTQ crackdown happening in the country of Azerbaijan. One anonymous man told Radio Free Europe that he was tortured for nine days. “They gave me electric shocks.” “They beat me with a stick on my knees. I couldn’t move afterwards.” This man was one of dozens of gay and transgender people who have been arrested and tortured in the country. Many of which are being abused, beaten, forced into medical tests, and more. Including, trans...

Community leaders issue emergency safety tips, warning LGBTI Egyptians to delete profiles and deny everything if arrested Egyptian LGBTI activists are urging people to delete dating apps as police carry out a spate of arrests. They say 13 people were arrested in just 24 hours as the police round-up suspected LGBTIs. It’s all a response to a rock concert on Saturday where gig-goers flew rainbow flags. The concert was by popular band Mashrou’ Leila, which has an openly gay lead singer. Politicians and...

Rock band Mashrou’ Laila has openly gay lead vocalist but LGBTI flag incident has sparked a crackdown Egypt has arrested seven people, accused of flying LGBTI rainbow flags at a rock concert in Cairo. Public prosecutors are now examining the evidence. But if found guilty, the seven men could face two years in jail. Lebanese alternative rock band Mashrou’ Leila performed in Cairo on Saturday (22 September). The lead singer, Hamed Sinno, is openly gay and an LGBTI advocate. After the gig, LGBTI...

Exclusive: Mother is fighting to get her gay son's body back home A hospital in Egypt turned off a British gay man’s life support and are refusing to send back his body to the family. Adrian Nicholas King, a 39-year-old originally from Stafford, went on holiday to Cairo, Egypt with a female friend on 9 May. During a safari trip, his kidneys are believed to have failed and he entered into a coma. Elaine Gilbert, King’s mother, told Gay Star News there was...