Iraq

Iraqi Media and the Spread of Anti-LGBT+ Rhetoric

To be sure, the media in Iraq does not take sole responsibility for the oppression of the Iraqi LGBT+ community. Many other factors, including the education system, political and social instability, and religious and tribal values, make it hard if not impossible for the LGBT+ community in Iraq to exist.

Exposing Anti-LGBT Government Strategies in MENA

How do governments in the MENA region use anti-LGBT rhetoric to advance their political agendas? The answer to that question reveals the state-sponsored homophobia that negatively impacts the lives of LGBT people in the region.

UN: Report on conversion therapy

The term “therapy”, derived from the Greek, denotes “healing”. However, practices of “conversion therapy” are the very opposite: they are deeply harmful interventions that rely on the medically false idea that LGBT and other gender diverse persons are sick, inflicting severe pain and suffering, and resulting in long-lasting psychological and physical damage.

Iraq: Rainbow flag row: Diplomats slammed for deleting LGBTQ+ posts after Iraqi pressure

Western diplomatic missions in Baghdad have been slammed by the LGBTQ+ community for appearing to bow to Iraqi government and clerical pressure to remove rainbow pride flags flying above their embassies and posts from their social media accounts.

Iraq: The Need for More Gender Inclusive Humanitarian Service Provision for Men, Boys, and SOGI Survivors of Sexual Violence

Towards addressing the suffering of all, and to upholding the humanitarian mandates of neutrality and impartiality, more gender inclusive services must be provided for all victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).

Helping LGBTQ refugees, one person at a time

While spending several days in Jordan on my way to Abu Dhabi, I met a gay man in his mid-30s who had recently fled the chaos in Iraq to seek asylum in Jordan. Three days later when I boarded the flight to Abu Dhabi, I had resolved that, though I could not mitigate the misfortune of millions, I could at least help one person. His name is Alaa Saleh.

Iraq: How A Housepainter And An Army Widow Led The Secret Fight To Save LGBT People From ISIS

One is the son of a communist who smuggled messages in kebabs for party members. The other is an army widow whose husband was killed by al-Qaeda. Together they want to convince the world that targeting LGBT people is a crime against humanity.

Pro-Family Nations and NGOs Celebrate 25th International Day of Families

UN member states and civil society gathered at UN headquarters to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of the International Year of the Family during an event titled “It Takes a Family” on May 15, the International Day of Families.

Human Rights Watch Country Profiles: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

The following country profiles are derived in part from sections of the Human Rights Watch 2019 World Report that relate to the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.