Egyptian Government Reportedly Orders Abusive Examinations Of Gay Men In Crackdown On Homosexuality

It has long been the U.S. policy to ignore human rights violations of some of our closest allies as part of a realpolitik.  However, that means that our citizens give billions to countries who deny their very humanity and criminalize their very being.  A case in point is Egypt.  Egyptian authorities previously arrested seven people for simply flying a rainbow flag.  Now, according to Amnesty International, six men will be subjected to anal examination in the country’s abusive legal system.  They are charged with “promoting sexual deviancy” and “debauchery.” What is alarming is that both lawyers and journalists in Egypt have supported such crackdowns.  Various reporters expressed outrage at the notion that anyone raised the rainbow flag in public and called for their persecution.

One man has reportedly been sentenced to six years for merely being a homosexual.  Yet, this is a country that actively seeks billions from a country with millions of taxpaying homosexuals.  Obviously, our aid to Egypt means that they will be able to save money in other areas like imprisoning and abusing homosexuals.

In a country that continues to be a font for Islamic extremism and terrorism, Egypt is committing public resources to performing anal examination and running down homosexuals.  Yet, these prosecutors are receiving enthusiastic support from Muslim clerics and leaders.  Indeed, one leading Sunni cleric said that there is no difference between terrorism groups and homosexuals.

So these clerics have no difficulty in taking money from gay American citizens but would imprison them if they ever came to the country as openly gay individuals.  I understand that our aid often has overriding strategic goals, but supporting nations that abuse women and homosexuals raises serious moral questions for every American.  If Egypt and Saudi Arabia cannot even recognize the humanity of homosexuals, I have a hard time believing that they are part of the solution to fighting Islamic extremism when they are hunting down homosexuals.