Egyptian actor pushes for LGBT rights
Amid Egypt’s continuing repression of its LGBT citizens, dissidents, political activists and journalists, actor Khaled Abol Naga keeps promoting LGBT rights.
An award-winning actor, stage director and film producer, Naga was named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2007. He has spoken out on many sensitive social issues, including HIV/AIDS, female genital mutilation and children’s rights.
Egyptian actor and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Khaled Abol Naga restated his support for gay rights on Twitter, writing that denying the rights of homosexuals to be recognized by society is exactly the same as racism.
“Gay people are born with romantic tendencies toward the same sex and this is scientifically documented now, just like the roundness of the Earth. Ignorance of these facts is what society lacks to understand what homosexuals are suffering,” he added.
In 2015, Naga previously sparked social media outrage by endorsing the gay marriage [court decision] in the United States.
Naga put on the rainbow logo, representing the gay and transgender (LGBT) movement, on his Facebook profile picture, inciting accusations that he himself was homosexual.
In this move, Naga became one of the first Arab celebrities to openly declare their support for the LGBT movement.
Many public figures and presenters attacked Naga at the time for his announcement.
“What Khaled Abol Naga did is not in line with the traditions of the society,” said TV host Wael al-Ibarashy.
Host Tawfiq Okasha was also another prominent figure who attacked Naga.
In response to the backlash, Naga wrote on Twitter “If only people give love the chance it deserves, Good will prevail. I only wish God blesses us all to comprehend the diverse rainbow of love.”
Related articles:
- Khaled Abol Naga responds to “closeted gay” accusations (July 2015, Albawaba.com)
- As LGBTI arrests mount, Egypt’s allies remain mute (January 2018, 76crimes.com)
- Egyptian activists: Anti-LGBT repression is getting worse (December 2017, 76crimes.com)
- Boycott, video and more seek to block Egypt’s anti-gay bill (November 2017, 76crimes.com)
- ‘Wipe-Out-the-Queers’ Bill would expand Egypt’s crackdown (November 2017, 76crimes.com)
- Egypt: Draft Law Criminalizes Homosexuality (Nov. 1, 2017, Global Legal Monitor)
- TweetStorm seeks end to Egypt’s anti-LGBT arrests (October 27, 76crimes.com)
- Anti-LGBT arrests: 50+ groups blast Egypt repression (
- LGBT people in Egypt targeted in wave of arrests and violence (October 2017, The Guardian)
- Egypt outage: 7 arrests for rainbow flag; but 274 others? (September 26, 2017, 76crimes.com)
- Egypt arrests 7 for raising rainbow flag at indy rock gig (Sept. 25, 2017, Associated Press)
- Seven arrested in Egypt after raising rainbow flag at concert (Sept. 25, 2017, Reuters)
- How ‘debauchery’ law set up Egypt’s gay crackdown (June 2014, 76crimes.com)
- 11 Egyptians sentenced to prison for homosexuality (April 2016, 76crimes.com)
- Why such silence in Egypt amid anti-LGBTI crackdown? (April 2016, 76crimes.com)
- Egypt crackdown targets human rights defenders
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- Egypt’s LGBTI crackdown continues; what can be done? (March 2015, 76crimes.com)
- Egyptian Reporter Mona Iraqi And Her Channel Owner To Face Criminal Charges Over Gay Bathhouse Raid (February 2015, Towle Road)
- Slew of arrests in Egypt (November 2014, 76crimes.com)
- Egypt: 8 imprisoned on anti-gay charges, 23 for protest (November 2014, 76crimes.com)
- 8 jailed on homosexuality charges in Morocco, Egypt (October 2014, 76crimes.com)
- Political tactics underlie Egypt’s ‘gay wedding’ arrests (September 2014, 76crimes.com)
- Crackdown on LGBT Egyptians: Why now? (May 2014, 76crimes.com)
- Another 10 anti-gay arrests in Egypt (November 2013, 76crimes.com)
- Seeking public approval, Egyptian police arrest 14 for gay sex (October 2013, 76crimes.com)
