More Images LGBTQ rights in the Middle East
Rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons in the Middle East
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people generally have limited or highly restrictive rights in most parts of the Middle East, and are open to hostility in others. Sex between men is illegal in 9 of the 18 countries that make up the region. It is punishable by death in four of these 18 countries. The rights and freedoms of LGBTQ citizens are strongly influenced by the prevailing cultural traditions and religious mores of people living in the region – particularly Islam. All same-sex activity is legal in Cyprus, Northern Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, and Turkey. Male same-sex activity is illegal and punishable by imprisonment in Iraq, Kuwait, Egypt, Oman, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. It is also punishable by death in Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. In Yemen and the Gaza Strip, the punishment might differ between death and imprisonment depending on the act committed. Wikipedia