{"id":1196377,"date":"2023-08-30T04:00:06","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T04:00:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/world\/2023\/aug\/30\/lebanon-lgbtq-activists-attacks-distraction-scapegoated"},"modified":"2023-08-30T04:00:06","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T04:00:06","slug":"lebanon-lgbtq-activists-say-attacks-are-distraction-from-countrys-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2023\/08\/30\/lebanon-lgbtq-activists-say-attacks-are-distraction-from-countrys-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Lebanon LGBTQ+ activists say attacks are distraction from country\u2019s problems"},"content":{"rendered":"
Community reports shift from uneasy tolerance to being scapegoated for socioeconomic crisis<\/p>
When the Christian extremists of Soldiers of God menaced a bar in Beirut\u2019s nightlife district during a drag show, their members had a chilling message for patrons: \u201cWe have warned you a hundred times \u2026 this is just the beginning.\u201d<\/p>
The group, whose members sometimes carry weapons, have repeatedly threatened places associated with Lebanon\u2019s LGBTQ+ community, accusing them of \u201cpromoting homosexuality\u201d amid an increase in homophobic rhetoric from the country\u2019s politicians.<\/p> Continue reading...<\/a>\n