 Photo left - Message written in English on a wrecked Police Van just off Tahrir Square. Photograph Copyright GayEgypt.com By Ali Asali GayEgypt.com Editor 11 February 2011 These opinion pieces always sound arrogant especially when I write them but it's only meant to provoke debate and get people thinking. So here goes - It's time for each person to assess to what extent they believe the regime is now committed to reform and whether they believe they should continue to protest peacefully until further changes are guaranteed. We understand that there is, since the fall of Mubarak, a division of opinion. We respect both those who wish to continue and those who prefer to return to their normal lives, having sacrificed their earnings and endangered their own lives by staying out on the street night after night. We hope that all protests are peaceful and above all that the army remains loyal to the wishes of the people and continues to refrain from violence. We demand that those guilty of acts of violence against peaceful demonstrators and of organizing such actions will in due time be brought to court. The contribution of thousands of gay men and women in this revolution should not be forgotten and freedom for the lesbian and gay community must be an integral part of a new democratic society. WHAT I SAID BEFORE ON 25 JANUARY - Egypt's gay and lesbian community has had enough of years of police brutality and torture and GayEgypt.com calls on all lesbians and gays to join their brothers and sisters on the street to demand immediate change. Everyone please take care, try to miniize your risks. Don't travel to Tahrir Square alone but do try to go in a group. Try to find a friend who lives near the square so you have somewhere to take refuge in an emergency. Otherwise if it is late at night and you are alone try to find a mosque or a church where you can shelter. But don't give up - what happens here will have a lasting impact on the entire Arab world n |
| Latest news 22 May 2012: Cairo psychiatrist claims he can "cure" 70 to 75 per cent of gay teenagers. |