Gay Magazine Debuts in Morocco

Mithly, Morocco’s first gay publication launched in April, even though it is illegal to be out and proud within the region, the Guardian in the UK is reporting. 

In a country where members of the LGBT community literally have remain silent out of fear of punishment or retaliation, 200 copies have been sold so far.  Moroccan law punishes "lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex" with up to three years of prison and a fine.     

Mithly, which means “the same as me in Arabic,” has covered numerous topics including Sir Elton John’s performance at a nearby music festival and a discussion about an Algerian transsexual named Randa.

Samir Bargachi, general co-ordinator of Kif-Kif, Morocco's only gay rights group (based in Spain) and the magazine's publisher told the website Afrik.com "For over five years now, there has been a debate surrounding homosexuality in Morocco. But the mainstream media has the tendency to sensationalise the subject. With Mithly, we have the opportunity to give the views of homosexuals, and the opportunity to interact directly with society."

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