New age or new fears for gay Egypt?

As Egypts parliament sits for the first time, we examine the future of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights
It seemed like the dawning of a new age. On 25 January last year, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians protested in the streets asking for democracy. On the Friday (28 January), millions joined them and demanded change to the ruling regime. With the youth movement leading the protests a new, secular and more liberal Egypt seemed possible. After two weeks of intense pressure President Hosni Mubarak resigned on 11 February. And the military, which had allied itself to the protestors, took charge of the country, promising to give control to an elected parliament and new president within six months.

After one year, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) are still in control, and have been recently accused of supporting the old regime and committing acts of violence against the latest protesters on the streets.

Now, after parliamentary elections during December and January that have seen the highest turn-out in the history of Egypt, the new parliament is sitting today for the first time (23 January). But does this mean that a new democratic liberal country is starting? Does it mean more rights are on the horizon for minorities, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community in Egypt?

Unfortunately, early indications suggest that LGBT rights may even suffer in the new Egypt. The results of the parliamentary votes were as follows, about 46% to Freedom and Justice party (generally thought of as the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood, who can be considered as moderate Islamists), 24% to Al-Nour party (a Salafi Islamist party that can be considered as extremists), 15% to different liberal parties, and the rest (5%) is distributed to small parties and individuals with different backgrounds including Islamist, liberals and people from the former regime.

Positively, the Freedom and Justice Party have already stated they would not go into coalition with Al-Nour, as the party advocates a Saudi Arabian-style state with discrimination against women and minorities. This indicates that a moderate coalition is more likely, however it will be dominated by the opinions of the Muslim Brotherhood.

Despite being moderate, they have clearly stated that the rules of religion set the limits on the freedoms they are prepared to offer Egyptian citizens. And modern interpretations, in the Middle East at least, set lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights as being contrary to Islam.

Exerpt from an article by Mohamed Abdelkhalek,Tris Reid-Smith, Gay Star News