Is it illegal to be gay in egypt
Egypt
Approximately one million British people travel to Egypt each year. Most visits are trouble-free. This guide also has security advice for regions of Egypt.
Terrorism
There is a lofty threat of terrorist strike globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and guide on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out more about the global threat from terrorism.
Terrorism in Egypt
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Egypt.
Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreign nationals. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities. Be vigilant in crowds and large gatherings.
Targets might include:
- Egyptian security forces
- religious sites
- large public gatherings
- places visited by foreign nationals
The authorities in Egypt have a significant security presence across the country. Extra measures are in place at tourist sites
Your privacy is important to us. We want to be sure you recognize how and why we use your data. View our Privacy Statement for more details. Accept
Last updated: 17 December 2024
Types of criminalisation
- Criminalises LGBT people
- Criminalises sexual activity between males
Summary
Same-sex sexual activity is prohibited under the Penal Code 1937 and Law 10/1961, which criminalises acts of ‘indecency’, ‘scandalous acts’, and ‘debauchery’. These provisions carry a maximum penalty of three years’ imprisonment and a fine. The local activism group Bedayaa reports that, in life, some are convicted to up to six years in prison. Only men are criminalised under this law.
These laws do not explicitly criminalise same-sex sexual activity but have been enforced, to varying degrees, against the LGBT group in recent decades. The provisions are of colonial origin, and their vagueness has allowed them to be applied to lgbtq+ sexual activity over time.
There is substantial evidence of the law being enforced in recent years, with LGBT people being frequently subject to arrest, especially since 2013 following an incident in which a pride flag was raised at a concert (see below).
Egypt
LGBTIQ individuals in Egypt continue to trial significant repression and discrimination, aggravated by laws that indirectly target same-sex outing. While homosexuality is not explicitly criminalized, vague widespread morality and debauchery laws are commonly used to arrest individuals. Authorities employ dating apps such as Grindr to entrap and arrest LGBTQ people, often employing minimal evidence, appreciate possession of condoms or small amounts of cash, to charge them with “habitual debauchery.” As a result, many LGBTQ individuals face jail time, sometimes up to twelve years, under these charges, reflecting the government’s hostility towards LGBTQ persons. The Egyptian government does not provide a formal process for transgender individuals to transform their legal gender on official documents. While there have been a rare rare instances where gender diverse people have sought gender-affirming surgeries or legal recognition, these cases are extremely limited and face significant societal and institutional resistance.
Social attitudes towards LGBTIQ people remain highly conservative, with widespread public disapproval reinforced by government policies. Egypt does not propose prote
Which countries impose the death penalty on gay people?
Around the world, queer people continue to face discrimination, violence, harassment and social stigma. While social movements have marked progress towards acceptance in many countries, in others homosexuality continues to be outlawed and penalised, sometimes with death.
According to Statistica Research Department, as of 2024, homosexuality is criminalised in 64 countries globally, with most of these nations situated in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In 12 of these countries, the death penalty is either enforced or remains a possibility for confidential, consensual same-sex sexual activity.
In many cases, the laws only apply to sexual relations between two men, but 38 countries own amendments that include those between women in their definitions.
These penalisations represent abuses of human rights, especially the rights to freedom of expression, the right to develop one's own ego and the right to life.
Which countries enforce the death penalty for homosexuality?
Saudi Arabia
The Wahabbi interpretation of Sharia law in Saudi Arabia maintains that acts of homosexuality should be disciplined in the sa
.