Asyia Iftikhar

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New BBC doc reveals how Egyptian police hunt LGBTQ+ people on dating apps

Harrowing new BBC documentary Queer Egypt Under Attack uncovers how violent criminal gangs and corrupt Egyptian police officers use online dating sites to target the LGBTQ+ community. Journalist and presenter Ahmed Shihab-Eldin undertook a two year long investigation for BBC News to uncover the tactics used to lure, and eventually prosecute, LGBTQ+ people in Egypt. Although Egypt does not currently have specific legislation banning homosexuality, this has not stopped the queer community from being repeatedly targeted with abuse and exortion. Shihab-Eldin, who grew up in Egypt, explained: “Friends there tell me that the atmosphere has recently become far more brutal, and the tactics for tracking down […]

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Whisky brand J&B praised for tear-jerking Christmas ad celebrating trans people

Bourbon whiskey brand J&B has brought people to tears with its heartfelt Christmas advert about trans acceptance. The Spanish advert follows an elderly person who initially borrows their wife’s lipstick, before putting together their own make-up kit and escaping to a bathroom to apply a full face. As the Christmas advert progresses we see them grow more accepting of themselves, and although heartwarming already, somehow manages to became even sweeter. Toward the end of the advert, their trans granddaughter arrives, initially introduced as Alvaro but they immediately recognise a kindred spirit and shares their make-up with her. When they both walk back out […]