Transgender man arrested in Kuwait crackdown
Police arrested a Kuwaiti female-to-male transgender man on June 11 after he was harassed by a group of young men because of his “male-like’” appearance, Gay Star News reported.
The unidentified 18-year-old was dressed in the traditional Kuwaiti male attire.
The arrest was part of a “vice crackdown” by Kuwaiti police, which has targeted LGBT people as well as suspected adulterers and prostitutes and people selling sex devices. The crackdown is supported by conservative Islamists in the Kuwaiti parliament.
The man, described in the local press as a “cross dresser,” was arrested for “imitating the opposite sex,” but a transgender activist in Kuwait said he was transgender, Gay Star News reported.
Some the harassing group were also arrested.
Under Kuwaiti law, imitating the appearance of a member of the opposite sex is punishable by up to a year in jail and a fine of up to 1,000 dinars ($3,500).
In late May, four gay men and two transgender women were among 149 people arrested in Kuwait during one weekend on charges of immoral behavior, Pink News reported.
Related articles
- 100s arrested in Kuwait vice raids, including 20 LGBTs (76crimes.com)
- Trans arrest and run-away wife in Kuwaiti ‘vice’ crackdown (Gay Star News)
- Kuwait: Mass arrest of people accused of “vice” and “immorality” (Pink News)