Lebanese Shi’ite Might Urge Decriminalisation Of Homosexuality
Acting U.S. director of national intelligence Richard Grenell said that a leading Lebanese Shi’ite leader might be one to call the end of criminal penalties for same-sex relations in Lebanon.
“Yesterday I spoke with an influential Lebanese Shi'ite leader who is close to coming out publicly in support of Lebanon decriminalizing homosexuality. Anyone with influence in Lebanon should help make the case soon,” Grenell tweeted.
Grenell, who is believed to be the first openly gay cabinet member in US history, launched an international campaign last year to decriminalised homosexuality around the world.
Last year, after Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif defended his regime’s law to execute gays and lesbians, Grenell told The Jerusalem Post: “The UN’s Declaration of Human Rights makes clear that these answers from the Iranian regime are violating basic UN principles. UN members should agree with the declaration in order to be members. Criminalizing homosexuality violates the declaration, plain and simple.”
Earlier this year it was reported that Grenell may curb intelligence sharing with Middle East countries that continue to criminalise same-sex relations.
“We can’t just simply make the moral argument and expect others to respond in kind because telling others that it’s the right thing to do doesn’t always work,” he said, adding that “to fight for decriminalization is to fight for basic human rights.”
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