Seven people arrested for ‘sexual deviancy’ in Egypt after waving Pride flag

Seven people have been arrested in Egypt after authorities accused them of being gay and promoting their homosexuality by flying a rainbow Pride flag at a gig.

Over the weekend, on September 24, a group of people were watching the Lebanese indie rock band Mashrou’ Leila in Cairo.

The singer of the band is openly gay and at the concert, the people waved a Pride flag.

They have since been wrongfully arrested and charged with “inciting immorality” as they allegedly promoted homosexuality by raising the flag.

Related: Mashrou’ Leila band misses performance in Jordan after being banned for gay singer

Homosexuality is not prohibited by law in the country, however, the conservative society thinks of it as a taboo.

The authorities are trying to convict the group under charges of “immorality” and “debauchery”, which is usually how they convict sex workers.

The band was playing at the Cairo city festival and had obtained all of the required permits to do so.

Related: Where is it illegal to be gay? A look at all the countries where homosexuality is against the law

They have been banned from performing in the country ever again.

• Nov 29

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