Iraq’s Anti-LGBTQIA+ Law – A Dark Cloud Over The Rainbow
In a devastating blow to the LGBTQIA+ community in Iraq, the country’s parliament has passed a bill criminalising same-sex relations and gender-affirming surgery. The new law, which amends a 1988 anti-prostitution statute, has sent shockwaves through the queer community, with many fearing for their safety and future in the country.
Saif Ali, a 26-year-old Iraqi who fled the country last year due to threats and abuse over his sexual orientation, had dreamed of returning home. However, with the passage of this law, his hopes have been shattered. “After the law, it has become impossible for me to even visit (Iraq). This is what breaks my heart,” Ali said.
The law sets prison sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years for same-sex relations and up to three years for transgender people who undergo gender-affirming surgery, as well as the doctors who perform them. The legislation has been widely condemned by rights groups and Western countries, with the United Nations expressing alarm over its violation of several human rights treaties and conventions ratified by Iraq.
For the LGBTQIA+ community in Iraq, life has never been easy. They have long faced discrimination, violence, and threats, including murder, rape, kidnapping, and extortion. The new law only serves to reinforce this hostile environment, pushing the community further into the shadows.
Activists and members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Iraq are now taking steps to protect themselves, such as unfollowing queer accounts, avoiding dating apps, and reducing the expression of their queer identity. Some are even considering leaving the country, fearing for their safety and well-being.
The passage of this law is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in many parts of the world.
It is a call to action for the international community to stand in solidarity with those fighting for their rights and to continue pushing for a world where everyone can live freely, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
