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LGBT rights in Morroco
	; Morocco
Same-sex sexual activity legal?	Illegal
Penalty:	6 months to 3 years imprisonment, fine
Gender identity/expression	-

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Morocco (including the 80 percent of Western Sahara controlled by Morocco) face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Morocco. Morocco's statute and culture towards LGBT issues stands in stark contrast to neighboring Spain.

[edit] Laws against homosexuality

Article 489 of the Penal Code of Morocco criminalizes “lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex.”[1] Homosexuality is illegal in Morocco and can be punished with anything from 6 months to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of 120 to 1200 dirhams. Nevertheless, the law is seldom enforced^{[dubious – discuss]}^{[citation needed]}, and homosexual activity is fairly common, especially in the holiday resorts^{[citation needed]}. Relationships are often visibly displayed and money often plays a role where sex is involved. In the community homosexuality remains a taboo and is considered immoral.

[edit] Recognition of same-sex relationships

There is no legal recognition of same-sex couples.

[edit] Discrimination protections

There is no anti-discrimination law. Even though many of the citizens of Morocco may be liberal-leaning, the government is still reluctant toward the issue^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Living conditions

Morocco has a macho culture, with rigid gender roles^{[citation needed]}. There is quite a large gay scene, especially in Marrakech and – to a lesser extent – Agadir and Tangier^{[citation needed]}.

A court in Ksar-el-Kebir, a small city about 120 kilometers south of Tangiers, convicted 6 men on December 10, 2007 of violating article 489 of Morocco’s penal code. However, according to lawyers for the defendants, the prosecution failed to present any evidence that the men actually had engaged in the prohibited conduct in the first place.

As of December 17, 2007, the men have been in jail since they were first arrested by the police between November 23 and 25, 2007, after a video circulated online—including on YouTube—purporting to show a private party, allegedly including the men, taking place in Ksar el-Kbir on November 18. Press reports claimed the party was a “gay marriage.” Following the arrests, hundreds of men and women marched through the streets of Ksar el-Kbir, denouncing the men’s alleged actions and calling for their punishment.^[2]

[edit] Advocacy for LGBT rights

Kifkif is the unique associative base of the LGBT community in Morocco, established in 2004 by Moroccan gay activists, after the haltings of Tetuan, that although is not legalized, maintains certain activities. In September 2006, Kifkif asked the Department of the Interior for legal recognition of its organization, but was rejected.

[edit] See also

LGBT portal

Morocco portal

Human rights in Morocco
LGBT rights in Africa
Human rights in Western Sahara — Morocco controls 80 percent of this disputed territory

[edit] References

Puterbaugh, Geoff. Africa, North. Encyclopedia of Homosexuality. Dynes, Wayne R. (ed.), Garland Publishing, 1990. pp. 19–22.
(Italian) Patanè, Vincenzo. Arabi e noi. DeriveApprodi, 2002.

^ ^a ^b Ottosson, Daniel (May 2008). "State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults". International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). pp. Page 25. http://www.ilga.org/statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2008.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-05.
^ http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=123&id=17549

[edit] External links

[ILGA_2008-0] Ottosson, Daniel (May 2008). "State-sponsored Homophobia: A world survey of laws prohibiting same sex activity between consenting adults". International Lesbian and Gay Association (ILGA). pp. Page 25. http://www.ilga.org/statehomophobia/ILGA_State_Sponsored_Homophobia_2008.pdf. Retrieved 2009-05-05.

[1] ttp://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=123&id=17549

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