LGBT rights in Tunisia

The practice of homosexuality is illegal in Tunisia as it is considered to be a threat to social order.

Penal Code

Article 230 of the Penal Code of 1913 (largely modified in 1964) decrees imprisonment of up to three years for sodomy between consenting adults. [ [http://www.mask.org.za/index.php?page=tunisia Tunisia ] ]

Position of the government

In 1993, the Appeal Court of Tunis dismissed a request by a transsexual woman to change her legal status from male to female. The judgement ruled that her sex change was a "voluntary" and "artificial" operation and could not justify a civil status change. [http://www.ilga.info/Information/Legal_survey/africa/tunisia.htm]

At least one gay man was known to have been granted asylum in the United States in 1997.

In February 2004, Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was present at a White House press conference where US president George H. W. Bush condemned gay marriages being performed at the time in San Francisco. [ [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/02/20040218-2.html President Bush Discusses War on Terrorism with Tunisian President ] ]

The Tunisian government tightly censors the internet and in addition to blocking sites containing political opposition, Tunisia also filters pornography and gay-related content. [ [http://www.opennetinitiative.net/blog/?p=77 ONI Blog | OpenNet Initiative ] ] [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/2777389.stm BBC NEWS | Africa | Tunisian internet crackdown ] ]

Gay life in Tunisia

While harassment by authorities and imprisonment of homosexuals is far from unknown, gays have a degree of freedom compared to nearby Libya, Egypt and Sudan, countries where accused homosexuals are routinely arrested. [ [http://hrw.org/reports/2004/egypt0304/ In a Time of Torture: The Assault on Justice In Egypt’s Crackdown on Homosexual Conduct (Human Rights Watch Report, March 2004) ] ] Both gay and straight sex workers are numerous in the country and are harassed by the police. In the capital Tunis, Avenue Bourguiba is a known gay cruising spot. [ [http://www.gayegypt.com/gayguidtotun.html Tunisia Sex Guide -
Gay And Straight ] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.mask.org.za/index.php?page=tunisia Behind The Mask: Tunisia]
* [http://www.gayegypt.com/gayguidtotun.html Tunisia Sex Guide]