Trends in LGBT Activism: Defending the Rights of Egypt's Queer Citizens

Egyptians who do not fit into the mold of the ideal, heteronormative citizen as perpetuated by the state face widespread persecution and criminalization. State security forces target homosexual and other queer sexualities and behaviors in the private and public spheres. From fake profiles on dating and social media websites to raids on clubs and private parties, this segment of the Egyptian population struggles to find a space for themselves within Egyptian society. When arrest often means abuse, torture, and coerced confessions, they are further pushed to the fringes of society. Although Egypt has promised to protect certain rights of its citizens, it has frequently failed. This paper presents three major systems of oppression for non-heteronormative Egyptians: the state security apparatus and legal code, nationalist discourses, and the dominant ideologies of Islam within Egypt. After analyzing how queer Egyptians are targeted, criminalized, and persecuted, I analyze different activist methods and strategies in order to present and support the most effective strategies for Egypt