Beirut Pride organisers say they have been forced to cancel their opening concert after religious authorities raised objection to the “debauched and immoral” event.

It is technically legal to be gay in Lebanon, but the annual Pride festival in the country’s capital has faced repeated crackdowns, with its lead organiser arrested in 2018.

The 2019 event now also appears to be under threat, with organisers announcing the cancellation of a planned opening concert.

A statement said: “Upon the announcement of the Opening Night of Beirut Pride 2019 at [arts venue] The Palace, religious institutions called for the cancellation of the concert, linking it to the promotion of same-sex marriage and associating it to debauchery and immorality.

“Security authorities contacted the administration of The Palace, and multiple parties issued statements, threatening with violence against the theatre and against the participants in the concert, in addition to anonymous threats that targeted the theatre management.

“Under pressure from the street, the management of The Palace is unable to produce the concert next Saturday.

“We thank the performers and The Palace for their perseverance, and the opening evening of Beirut Pride 2019 is suspended until further notice.”

The Palace said in a statement on Facebook that the decision “was the result of threats and bullying by groups and individuals” and not “the result of any formal request from the Lebanese authorities”.