news Lebanese queer-friendly bar attacked by extremist Christian group 'Soldiers of God'

[State of Grace.]

Quote

 

A drag show in the Lebanese capital Beirut was cut short late on Wednesday by an angry crowd of conservative Christians screaming homophobic chants, according to a Reuters witness and attendees.

 

The show, hosted by two Lebanese drag artists known as Latiza Bombe and Emma Gration, was hosted at a bar in Beirut known to be a safe space for LGBT individuals.

 

But shortly after it started, the two hosts, wearing black leotards and in full makeup and wigs, ended the show early after being alerted that angry men were approaching the venue.

 

"We are here, we exist, and no one will silence us. However, sometimes to keep doing what we're doing we have to do it smartly. Unfortunately we have to cut the show short," Emma Gration said from the stage.

 

The pair and a group of attendees ran to the changing area as a group of men could be heard gathering outside the venue, loudly spitting and shouting that they were "disgusted" at the event, according to a Reuters witness with them.

 

The group hid for about 40 minutes, during which the two performers removed makeup and fake eyelashes to blend in with the audience in case the conservative group broke in.

 

Attendees departed safely after security forces eventually arrived and dispersed the crowd.

 

Footage posted online from outside the same venue on Wednesday showed men identifying themselves as "the Soldiers of God," an anti-LGBT Christian movement in Lebanon.

 

It was the latest episode showing rising hate speech against Lebanon's LGBT community, including from conservatives with various religious backgrounds.

 

Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, head of powerful Shi'ite armed group Hezbollah, has said homosexuality posed an "imminent danger" to Lebanon and should be "confronted".

 

Lebanon was the first Arab country to hold a gay pride week in 2017 and has generally been seen as a safe haven for the LGBT community in the broadly conservative Middle East, a role activists say is now under threat.

 

Amnesty International voiced concern at the incident, saying it "underscores the worsening state of LGBTI rights in Lebanon", and urged the Lebanese government to ensure protection for all, irrespective of gender identity or sexual orientation.

 

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This video (with subtitles) explains the entire situation :

 

 

The recent surge in anti-LGBTQ rhetoric there is so disgusting and transparent. It is so clearly being pushed by political leaders/stakeholders to divert the public's attention from the ongoing economic crisis and they keep using the LGBTQ+ community as their new scapegoat for their sick propaganda  

Edited August 24, 2023 by State of Grace.

[Jjang]

Disgusting. The queer community in Lebanon deserves so much better. They are so brave. 

 

I bet you’ll find those “soldiers” on Grindr. 

Edited August 24, 2023 by Jjang

[Bicassie]

This is sad but i’m more suprised that Beirut has gay nightlife so openly 

 

very brave of them to be themselves in such a bigoted environment

 

hope the criminals get their karma 

[Revolution]

The entire country is going to **** tbh.

[FOCK]

I’m really saddened by this rising sentiment there, particularly with all the other issues Lebanon is facing.
 

The Lebanese Queer community is exceptionally resilient with a remarkable ability to tackle hate with humor. Outside of these radicals, there is a very tight knit lgbtq community there & sentiment among youth is generally supportive & striving for more secular/progressive values & policy. 
 

What’s hilarious is that Lebanon’s generalised reputation among other middle eastern nations is that all the men are gay. 

[DatChickDoe]

**** the Christian hate cult and their fake God. 

[Haschwalth]

psyconic's impact

[Vixen Eyes]

and they say that religions arent cults

[rihannafan]

On 8/24/2023 at 5:14 PM, Bicassie said:

This is sad but i’m more suprised that Beirut has gay nightlife so openly 

 

very brave of them to be themselves in such a bigoted environment

 

hope the criminals get their karma 

Please I've been to many gay bars openly in Beirut. It's so sad how things have regressed

[A.R.L]

Terrorists of god. Imagine god (the creature of this universe) would need human being slaves called soldiers for self defense lmao 

Edited August 27, 2023 by A.R.L

[shinyshimmery]

religious extremists have nothing better to do... imagine if they put this kind of energy at actually being useful like helping the poor/homeless. 

[DamianSolo]

It's so sad to see the way Christianity has been bastardized by such people. These are not true Christians. The sad thing is, it's become all too common for self-proclaimed Christians to exude hate, intolerance and nonacceptance. That's not what the foundation of it is about.

[Robert]

The drag Queens were great leaders and did the right thing

 

**** these men trying to ruin things for everyone else. Of all things they could dedicate their energy too, they choose this