Gay community in an-najaf, iraq

LGBT Rights in An Najaf, Iraq: homosexuality, gay marriage, gay adoption, serving in the military, sexual orientation discrimination protection, changing legal gender, donating blood, age of consent, and more. 1 An influential Iraqi cleric who announced his withdrawal from politics four months ago has broken a period of relative silence to launch an anti-LGBTQ campaign. He added that this should be done "not with violence, killing or threats, but with education and awareness, with logic and ethical methods. 2 Accounts paint a harrowing picture of life as an LGBT person in Iraq, where the community is disproportionately affected by laws against extra-marital sex and undefined "immodest acts" in. 3 Hyder, who identifies as queer, was stopped at a checkpoint on the way downtown and taken into a closed caravan where the security officers proceeded to touch his genitalia backed by a chorus of laughter. They taunted Hyder, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, saying if he went to jail he would never leave and would be sold to prisoners. 4 Gala, a platform advocating for rights of the LGBTQI+ community in Iraq whose work in the country will be jeopardized following the approval of the amendments, described the law as the. 5 BAGHDAD — Samir Shaba sits in a restaurant, nervously describing gay life in Iraq. He speaks in a low voice, occasionally glancing over his shoulder. 6 ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Imagine being born gay in Iraq’s Shiite epicenter of Najaf, a city soaking in religious sacredness and strong antagonism towards the LGBT+ community. 7 He couldn't give his full name, because doing so would expose him to danger. The country's conservative culture means most queer locals have always hidden their sexuality. 8 It is based on 54 interviews with LGBT Iraqis who have survived violence and discrimination by state and non-state actors, based primarily on their gender expression and presumed sexual. 9 The police arrest and also carry out violence against them. Killings, Abductions, Torture, and Sexual Violence Against LGBT People by Armed Groups in Iraq. 10 . 12