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 LGBT people more sophisticated.”

As Shihab-Eldin discovered, police initiate text conversations on dating apps such as WhosHere and Grindr, encouraging people to meet up with them. They then charge them under a “debauchery” law, often fabricating evidence against LGBTQ+ people who are simply looking for love and friendship.

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Reporter, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, spent his teenage years in Egypt. (BBC)
Reporter, Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, spent his teenage years in Egypt. (BBC)

The law targets sex work and is a key way LGBTQ+ people are persecuted in Egypt, and the documentary meets real people who have fallen prey to these manipulation tactics, for which the punishment can be a hefty fine and even imprisonment. 

Gangs are also targeting vulnerable people on dating apps by filming violent humiliation videos which they send to the victims’ friends and family. 

In one clip, Shihab-Eldin meets with an anonymous victim who was featured in a viral video of this nature, and uncovered the chain of blackmail associated with this gang violence. 

Another victim, Laith, described how he was simply meeting an acquaintance for a date when police seized him and threatened to fabricate evidence unless he agreed to be an informant. 

After Laith refused to cooperate he was charged with “habitual debauchery”, which criminalises regular same-sex practices between men.

The documentary also explores how foreigners are also at risk, with one person, called Matt, lured by police via Grindr, arrested and eventually deported. 

Although dating apps are cracking down on these tactics by issuing warnings about potential police presence, the LGBTQ+ community still remains under attack. 

Queer Egypt Under Attack is available now on BBC iPlayer.

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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 to the rest of the family, Alvaro’s true name, Ana appears on the screen and what follows is a beautiful moment of intergenerational bonding and family acceptance. 

In a statement, the brand explained: “It is a Christmas story that tells the beautiful story between a grandfather and his granddaughter, and how the love that unites them is so great that it overcomes any prejudice or barrier that may separate them 

“This story is a reflection of acceptance, respect and above all tolerance.”

The marketing manager of Diageo, J&B’s parent company, said it wanted to give “visibility to a reality that thousands of people face, including the LGBTIQ+ collective, who seek a safe space to be and show themselves openly. 

“But also for families, who often also suffer the absence of those loved ones who, due to their gender identification or sexual preference, are not present at the parties.”

And of course, this heartwarming advert has not gone unnoticed with many praising the beauty in its simplicity.

Member of the Congress of Deputies of Spain, Pablo Echenique, shared how the ad “made this straight cis man cry”.

He added: “Its existence shows that the need of protecting trans people’s rights is widely accepted in our society.

“It is baffling that there are political parties that cannot understand this.”

Other viewers also shared their thoughts, with one person writing: “Showing the world our true self can be frightening, but having someone supporting us makes it, if not easier, a little lighter.

“As a trans person, I really loved this video. Having loved ones accepting us made me happier and really connected to them. It’s beneficial to everyone.”

Even TV icon Lorraine Kelly was moved by the commercial, saying she found it “sad and also hopeful”.