GAY AND TRANS STILL REJECTED BY ISLAM
GAY AND TRANS PEOPLE ARE KILLED IN THE MIDDLE EAST YET AMERICANS FOOLISHLY PROTEST THE CAUSE.
BY SNN.BZ STAFF
The Harsh Reality of Homosexuality in the Middle East: A Truth American Students AND Foreign Students living and studying in the United States Need to Understand
In recent years, American college campuses have seen a surge in protests and marches advocating for various international causes, including support for groups in the Middle East.
Many of these demonstrations include vocal participation from gay and transgender students who, with good and heartfelt intentions, stand in solidarity with movements they perceive as oppressed or marginalized.
However, a critical and alarming disconnect exists: the groups these students support openly advocate for ideologies and practices that are violently hostile to LGBTQ+ individuals. This article aims to shed light on the stark reality of how homosexuality and gay people in general, are treated in the Middle East, particularly under regimes or groups influenced by strict interpretations of Islamic law. This is not an attempt to scare or vilify but to share a sobering truth, grounded in evidence, to inform and protect the gay community from continuing to march and protest for groups that would kill you on the spot were you with them.
The Reality of Persecution in the Middle East
In many Middle Eastern countries, homosexuality is not only stigmatized but also criminalized, often with severe consequences. Under strict interpretations of Sharia law. The religious Sharia law governs legal and social systems in nations and is enforced by non-state actors like terrorist organizations.
Same-sex relationships are considered a grave sin and a crime. Penalties can range from imprisonment and lashings to execution. While not all Middle Eastern countries enforce such extreme measures (openly), the cultural and legal hostility toward LGBTQ+ individuals is widespread.
One of the most chilling practices reported in areas controlled by certain extremist groups, such as the Islamic State (ISIS) during its height, is the execution of gay individuals by throwing them from tall buildings.
This brutal method was documented in regions like Iraq and Syria between 2014 and 2017 and continues today. The European and American mainstream media simply do not report it because they consider the practice cruel and violent but it still goes on even today in 2025 in ISIS controlled significant territories.
This is Not a Violent Activity from The Past – It goes on daily
Students, whether American or Foreign whom are living in the west, naively believe that this violence against people identifying in any manner of gay or transgender are incidents from the past. They are sorely mistaken.
The public living in North America and Europe no longer see the violence against gay and transgender people because the media no longer broadcasts or shares it. Even YouTube tends to remove videos portraying violence but these violent acts are going on as of the writing of this article.
Eyewitness accounts, survivor testimonies, and even propaganda videos released by the religious groups themselves (bragging about killing members of the gay and trans community) confirm these atrocities.
A 2015 report by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq detailed executions of individuals accused of homosexuality, often carried out in public to instill fear. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have also documented similar incidents, noting that such punishments were not isolated but part of a systematic campaign to enforce rigid ideological codes and religious beliefs.
Even in countries not under extremist control, legal systems can be unforgiving. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, homosexuality is punishable by death under the kingdom’s interpretation of Sharia law, though enforcement varies.
Iran, too, has executed individuals for same-sex conduct, with estimates suggesting hundreds of such cases since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. In other nations like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, homosexuality is illegal, with penalties including imprisonment and fines. Beyond legal repercussions, societal attitudes often mirror these strictures, leading to widespread discrimination, family rejection, and violence against LGBTQ+ and transgender individuals.
The Role of “Religious Police” and Community Enforcement
In some Middle Eastern societies, state or quasi-state entities, often referred to as “religious police,” enforce moral codes, including those related to sexuality. Saudi Arabia’s Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, for example, has historically monitored public behavior, though its powers have been curtailed in recent years (yet they continue).
In areas controlled by non-state actors like ISIS or the Taliban, ad hoc morality patrols have carried out similar roles with even greater brutality. These groups often rely on community informants, creating an atmosphere of fear where neighbors or even family members may report suspected LGBTQ+ individuals.
This community-driven enforcement exacerbates the danger. In conservative areas, societal pressure to conform to rigid gender and sexual norms can lead to honor-based violence, where families or communities take it upon themselves to “correct” or punish perceived deviations. For gay or transgender individuals, this can mean being ostracized, beaten, or worse, with little recourse to justice.
The Disconnect on American Campuses
Despite this reality, many American students, including those who identify as gay or transgender, participate in protests supporting groups or movements that align with anti-Western or anti-Israel sentiments, some of which are linked to organizations with deeply anti-LGBTQ+ ideologies.
For example, groups like Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, operate within a framework that explicitly condemns homosexuality. A 2019 Pew Research Center survey found that in Gaza and the West Bank, 93% of Palestinians believe homosexuality is morally unacceptable. Hamas’s own statements and actions reflect this stance, with no tolerance for LGBTQ+ rights.
This disconnect stems from a combination of factors. First, many students are unaware of the specific ideologies of the groups they support, focusing instead on broader narratives of resistance or anti-imperialism. Second, the progressive lens through which many view global issues can lead to an assumption that all marginalized groups share common values, including acceptance of diverse identities. Finally, misinformation or selective framing on social media can obscure the harsh realities of life under certain regimes or groups.
This Matters for American and Foreign Students living and studying in the USA
For American students, particularly those in the LGBTQ+ community, understanding this reality is crucial, especially if they plan to travel to or engage with the Middle East. Visiting countries where homosexuality is criminalized can pose significant risks, from arrest to violence. Even in more liberal Middle Eastern cities, societal attitudes can lead to harassment or danger. Moreover, supporting groups that oppose LGBTQ+ rights undermines the very freedoms these students enjoy and advocate for at home.
This is not to say that students should disengage from global issues or avoid advocating for justice. Rather, they should approach such activism with a nuanced understanding of the ideologies and practices they are endorsing. Solidarity with one cause should not come at the expense of ignoring harm to others, including members of their own community.
How to Approach This Truth
To convince skeptics, firsthand accounts and credible evidence are key. Share documented reports from organizations like Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, or the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), which provide detailed analyses of LGBTQ+ persecution globally. Survivor stories, such as those compiled by groups like OutRight Action International, offer powerful personal perspectives. Visual evidence, while disturbing, can also be compelling—ISIS’s own propaganda, though horrific, leaves little room for doubt about their treatment of gay individuals.
Engaging in open, empathetic dialogue is equally important. Rather than accusing students of ignorance, frame the conversation as a shared pursuit of truth. Ask questions: “What do you know about the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in this region?” or “Have you considered how these groups’ ideologies align with your values?” Encourage critical thinking by pointing to primary sources, such as laws or public statements from the groups in question.
A Call for Awareness and Solidarity
The persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals in parts of the Middle East is not a fabrication or an exaggeration—it is a documented reality with devastating consequences. American students, particularly those who identify as gay or transgender, deserve to know this truth, not to fear it, but to make informed choices about their activism and safety. By understanding the stark differences in how homosexuality is treated in certain Middle Eastern contexts, they can advocate more effectively, aligning their efforts with causes that uphold human rights for all.
This is a call for awareness, not division. The goal is not to vilify any group or region but to ensure that the pursuit of justice is grounded in reality. For those marching in solidarity, let that solidarity extend to the silenced voices of LGBTQ+ individuals in the Middle East who face unimaginable challenges. Their lives depend on it.
If you’re an American student planning to travel to the Middle East, research the legal and cultural landscape of your destination. Resources like the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories or ILGA’s global reports can provide critical guidance.
Stay safe, stay informed, and let truth guide your activities. Do not be guided by beliefs and emotions or “feelings.” Countries do not create laws in accordance to feelings, emotions or beliefs of any kind.
