Study: 16% of LGBT Moroccans Active in Political Parties Despite Discrimination

This study on the situation of the LGBT community in Morocco, published last Monday, shows that in addition to the 16% rate of members active in local political parties, 20% of them are active in various associations, including 6% in the cultural environment and 1% in human rights and gender diversity NGOs, reports Le 360.

The same study, conducted by the Collective against the Criminalization and Discrimination of Sexual and Religious Minorities, states that 29% of LGBT community members have either been arrested or imprisoned by the country’s authorities solely because of their apparent homosexuality, despite their political activism and defense of their rights.

According to the same study, 70% of homosexuals in Morocco have been victims of physical and moral violence in public and private spaces.

Furthermore, 14% of these victims have filed complaints, due to the lack of confidence in the effectiveness of their actions to obtain redress. As for 86.4% of the LGBT community, they demand the repeal of Article 489 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes homosexuality, punishable by 6 months to 3 years in prison and a fine of 120 to 1,200 dirhams. This law is singled out as the legal basis for the hatred and violence of society towards sexual minorities, it is specified.