• News
    • Local
    • San Francisco
    • State
    • National
    • International
  • Perspectives
    • Opinions
    • Columns
    • Sports
  • Features
    • HIV & AIDS
    • Health
    • Seniors
    • Spirituality
    • Transgender / Transsexual
    • Real Estate
    • Everybody’s Business
    • Travel
    • Fitness
  • Arts & Entertainment
    • Theatre
    • Music
    • Books
    • Television
    • Film
  • Newspaper
    • Contact
    • Advertising Info
We The People
Voice of the LGBTQIA+ Community in the North Bay
  • News
    • Local
    • San Francisco
    • State
    • National
    • International
  • Perspectives
    • Opinions
    • Columns
    • Sports
  • Features
    • HIV & AIDS
    • Health
    • Seniors
    • Spirituality
    • Transgender / Transsexual
    • Real Estate
    • Everybody’s Business
    • Travel
    • Fitness
  • Arts & Entertainment
    • Theatre
    • Music
    • Books
    • Television
    • Film

International/ News/ Top Stories

Beirut Pride Concert Cancelled after Religious Protests against ‘Debauched and Immoral’ Festival

Nick Duffy September 28, 2019

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.”

A protester waves the gay pride flag as others hold banners during an anti-homophobia rally in Beirut on April 30, 2013
A protester waves the gay pride flag as others hold banners during an anti-homophobia rally in Beirut on April 30, 2013. (JOSEPH EID/AFP/Getty)

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”.

Related Posts

International /

Finland passes sweeping reform of gender recognition law and introduces self-ID for trans people

News /

Brave Afghans risk their lives to stage powerful LGBTQ+ protest ‘under the noses of the Taliban’

Top Stories /

How Tennessee axed millions in HIV funds amid scrutiny from far-right provocateurs

‹ LGBTQ and Black Passengers Face more Rideshare Cancellations, Study Finds › OUTwatch – Wine Country’s LGBTQI Film Festival Brings the Best of International Queer Cinema to the North Bay Oct. 4 -6

Back to Top

  • News
  • Perspectives
  • Features
  • Arts & Entertainment
  • Newspaper
© We The People 2023
Powered by WordPress • Themify WordPress Themes