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LGBTQ+ in the Middle East

Iranian players pose for a photo ahead of a friendly soccer match between Russia and Iran at Volgograd Arena in Volgograd, Russia, October 10, 2025. (AP)
December 9, 2025, 2:12 pm
Iran objects to ‘Pride Match’ branding of World Cup soccer game against Egypt
Iranian Football Federation chief denounces as ‘irrational’ plan by host city Seattle to dedicate June 2026 match in support of the LGBTQ community; Egyptians also unhappy
By AFP
American late-night host Bill Maher discussing Chappell Roan on HBO's 'Real Time with Bill Maher', October 12, 2024. (Screenshot: YouTube/Real Time with Bill Maher; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
October 13, 2024, 4:59 pm
Bill Maher lambastes Chappell Roan: They’d throw you ‘off a roof’ in Gaza
In lengthy monologue, veteran pro-Israel pundit lectures LGBTQ singer — and Generation Z at large — after her thinly veiled reference to Palestinian rights went viral
By ToI Staff
A supporter of Israel takes part in the New York City Pride March on June 30, 2024, in New York City. (Adam GRAY / AFP)
July 10, 2024, 3:02 am
Isolated by their ‘allies,’ LGBTQ Jews in US gather to parse Pride’s anti-Israel leanings
As supporters of the Jewish state feel increasingly unwelcome at events for the Queer community, they turn to each other for support, while mulling what feels like betrayal
By Cathryn J. Prince
A yellow ribbon in solidarity with the hostages still held captive in the Gaza Strip is displayed on a giant screen during the Tel Aviv pride rally on June 6, 2024. (Jack Guez/AFP)
June 7, 2024, 12:07 am
Tens of thousands attend toned-down Tel Aviv Pride rally, with spotlight on hostages
Some 25,000 reported at event; partner of slain IDF officer receives medal, says leaders have forgotten to value ‘life over death’; Noa Kirel sings ‘Unicorn’ next to hostage family
By Michael Horovitz
French director and screenwriter Yolande Zauberman (R), French Lucky Love (R), Israeli actress Talleen Abu Hanna (3rd R), Israeli actress Israela (C) arrive for the screening of the film 'La belle de Gaza' at the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 17, 2024. (Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP)
May 18, 2024, 9:20 am
Docu highlighting plight, bravery of Palestinian trans women in Israel debuts at Cannes
Focused on search for a trans woman rumored to have walked from Gaza to Tel Aviv, Yolande Zauberman’s ‘The Belle From Gaza’ highlights those she calls ‘warriors of their own destiny’
By Agencies and ToI Staff
Jerusalem Sephardi Chief Rabbi Shlomo Amar praying for forgiveness (Selichot), at the Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem, early on September 25, 2022, on the eve of Rosh Hashanah. (Arie Leib Abrams/Flash90)
September 27, 2023, 12:46 pm
High Court: State must explain why it hasn’t disciplined Jerusalem chief rabbi
Court gives government 21 days to respond regarding lack of action over Shlomo Amar’s comments disparaging Reform Jews, LGBTQ community, Women of the Wall
By ToI Staff
Supporters of the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) community attend a sit-in to protest the ongoing criminalization of homosexuality and arbitrary arrests in front of Hobeich police station, in Beirut, Lebanon, Sunday, May 15, 2016. (AP/Hussein Malla)
September 1, 2023, 11:45 am
Lebanese politicians ramp up fight against LGBTQ community
Once seen as relatively tolerant for a Middle Eastern country, Lebanon’s political leaders have become unified in efforts to scapegoat the LGBTQ community
By BASSEM MROUE and Kareem Chehayeb
Hezbollah leader Sheik Hassan Nasrallah (left) addresses a crowd during the holy day of Ashoura, in a southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Oct. 24, 2015 (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File). Margot Robbie (right) in a scene from "Barbie."(Warner Bros. Pictures via AP, File)
August 9, 2023, 9:27 pm
Lebanon seeks to ban ‘Barbie’ movie for ‘promoting homosexuality’
Anti-LGBTQ campaign is being spearheaded by Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, although the movie doesn’t have an overt queer theme
By AFP
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Ryan Gosling, left, and Margot Robbie in a scene from 'Barbie' (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP, File)
August 5, 2023, 8:24 am
After 3 week delay, ‘Barbie’ movie set to be released in United Arab Emirates
No explanation given for holdup, but movie’s inclusion of a transgender actress in one of the Barbie roles and other messaging on LGBTQ+ issues could have been issue
By AP
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivers a speech during an election campaign rally in Ankara, on April 30, 2023. (Adem ALTAN/AFP)
May 5, 2023, 12:51 am
‘We are against the LGBT’: Erdogan fuels culture wars amid tight election contest
Turkish president preaches traditional family values, while opposition candidate Kilicdaroglu vows to heal rifts, bring back Western investments
By Dmitry Zaks
A person looks at the Grindr app on her mobile phone in Beirut, Lebanon, May 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
March 25, 2023, 5:20 am
LGBTQ dating app Grindr warns Egyptian users of police targeting
Company says cops in Muslim nation impersonating community members to catch and prosecute individuals
By AP
Comedian Judy Gold hosted A Wider Bridge's annual gala on March 13, 2023, which celebrated Israel at 75 and addressed growing anti-LGBTQ sentiment with the new government coalition elected in January. (Jackie Hajdenberg/ JTA)
March 16, 2023, 2:19 am
With Israel’s right-wing government, US Zionist LGBTQ group faces urgent crisis
After advocating for Israel in the American gay community for years, A Wider Bridge faces an impasse as the Jewish state’s new coalition includes proudly homophobic politicians
By Jackie Hajdenberg
LGBTQ activists in Lebanon shout slogans as they march calling on the government for more rights in the country gripped by economic and financial crisis during ongoing protests in Beirut, Lebanon on June 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)
February 22, 2023, 12:56 am
Mideast governments targeting LGBTQ people online, rights group says
Report documents dozens of cases of security agencies in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Tunisia extorting members of LGBTQ community based on their social media activities
By Kareem Chehayeb
Thousands of people participate in the Tel Aviv Pride Parade, June 10, 2022. (Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images via JTA)
January 18, 2023, 2:45 pm
Could the new government endanger Israel’s status as an LGBTQ haven?
Netanyahu and others in his coalition say they are committed to protecting gay rights, but the volatile political situation makes the future hard to predict
By Ron Kampeas
Transgender actress and activist Bell Agam, who was selected in December 2022 as a brand ambassador for Victoria's Secret in Israel. (YouTube video screenshot: used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
December 30, 2022, 12:15 pm
Victoria’s Secret names transgender actor Bell Agam as Israel brand envoy
Reality TV star has acted in young adult series, honored as ‘educator of the year’ in 2018 for work with transgender youth
By Michael Horovitz
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