I would like to share with you some of my concerns about the degree of threats that our LGBTQ group in Tunisia are facing. In fact, since the 14th of January (the spark date of the Jasmine Revolution) which swept the demi-god presidents in the Arab countries, we discovered that we have become the target of all those who wish to score goals at the expense of our oppressed group. Homophobic remarks, physical attacks and discrimination are adopted by the public against us and we don’t feel safe in our own country anymore. Certain stances of the Tunisian society like the Salafists and some other religious fanatic groups amplified stigma against us and even started to invest the Quran to gather support for the elimination of gays. It is really sad to notice that our group went invisible and most of the notorious members of the LGBTQ community refrained from criticizing the government, leaving this task to the most daring ones. Not long ago (around half a year ago), we were invited to participate in a TV program to discuss the issue of minorities in Tunisia. As expected, the minister of Human Rights (who is remotely connected to them), clearly mentioned that as an entire group we are a psychologically disturbed segment of society and we have to seek treatment. This was very depressing news. Worst, the minister was accompanied by the minister of Family Affairs and she did well to confirm the views of her idol. The debate was very poor and homosexuality was encapsulated in sex and sexually transmitted diseases. We have been betrayed by our MPs who withdraw to drink coffee and gossip each time the issue of the LGBTQ community in Tunisia is brought into debate. Our situation is very critical and we will soon hear of some kind of witch hunting of gays to take them for forced correction in the army or jailing them until their views about their sexual identity changes to meet what the government really wants.


written by Seif Benjacob. An LGBTQ militant

NB: I would like to send you a video containing a direct analysis of the pathetic situation of the LGBTQ community in Tunisia. I know that the government is constantly intercepting all e-mails sent from my account and erasing and closing entire blogs on which I identify myself as an active member and as a reporter. I would like to send you a video and I hope that you explain to me what questions you wish me to answer. Besides if I send you a video with my uncovered face , I will expect the secret police or the moral police (up dated and activated by the homophobic Islamist element of Al Nahda Party). We may arrange a Sype interview or a short discussion about where we are now with the gay issue. I wish to make my voice heard to the world precisely after the open threats and accusations communicated to us by Mr Dilo (The Human Rights Minister) and ironically he was brought to hold his office after the fake Jasmine Revolution. I would call this revolution the Salafist Revolution or the Parade of Angry Salafists. A new chapter of terror was opened and, worse, the true believer and the misguided youth generation are blindly flirting with the Afghani talibani culture and praising throat-cutting as the best punishment for difference and unorthodoxy as far as their culture is concerned. Thanks.