LGBT Rights in Al Iskandariyah
Governorate

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History

Homosexual activity in Al Iskandariyah

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Homosexual activity in Al Iskandariyah is illegal (imprisonment as punishment).

Current status
Since 1937
Illegal (imprisonment as punishment)
Egyptian law does not explicitly criminalize same-sex sexual acts. However, the state uses several morality provisions for the de facto criminalization of homosexual conduct. These public morality and public order laws have been used to target the LGBT community and reports of prison sentences for homosexual activity range from 3 months to 10 years.

There were also reports of police officers assaulting LGBTQIA people and "forcibly soliciting bribes to avoid arrest, and forcing them to provide information concerning other LGBTQI+ individuals.".

Furthermore, there are several reports of police using dating apps like Grindr or Tinder to lure LGB people into arrest on charges of debauchery or prostitution.

Same-sex marriage in Al Iskandariyah

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Same-sex marriage in Al Iskandariyah is banned.

Current status
Banned
Same-sex marriage has never been recognized in Egypt, and attempted ceremonies may be punishable by arrests.

Censorship of LGBT issues in Al Iskandariyah

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Censorship of LGBT issues in Al Iskandariyah is imprisonment as punishment.

Current status
Since Jul 31, 1937
Imprisonment as punishment
Egypt's media regulator prohibits positive discussion of homosexuality and enforces a widespread crackdown on LGBT rights activism. There are also reports of forced anal examinations to determine if the accused engaged in same-sex sexual activity despite the practice being wholly denounced by human rights group as not only torturous and inhumane but inconclusive.

The Penal Code of 1937 contains Article 178 of Law No. 58 which punishes anyone who trades or distributes material that are deemed "in violation of public morals" with imprisonment. This has been consistently used against LGBTIQ+ people especially since 2013.
Until Jul 30, 1937
No censorship
Before 1937, there was no censorship of LGBTIQ+ topics in Egypt. In fact, during the 19th century, homosexuality was largely viewed as normal by the public and discussion of it was free compared to in Europe.
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Right to change legal gender in Al Iskandariyah

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Right to change legal gender in Al Iskandariyah is illegal.

Current status
Since Dec 12, 2024
Illegal
In 2024, Egypt closed the loophole in the Civil Status Law of 1994 that had been used by trans people for legal recognition by only granting it on the condition of whether they are transgender or intersex, the latter of which is recognised in Egypt as an illness.
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Jun 9, 1994–Dec 11, 2024
Legal, but requires surgery
A loophole was frequently used by trans people in the Civil Status Law of 1994 in Egypt to change their legal gender in the absence of a legal gender recognition process. However, cases required surgery for acceptance. Until 2024, the Ministry of Interior adopted a "don't ask, don't tell" policy in relation to this.

Gender-affirming care in Al Iskandariyah

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Gender-affirming care in Al Iskandariyah is banned.

Current status
Since Sep 5, 2003
Banned
Starting in 2003, "sex-change medical interventions" were allowed only after a full chromosome map to ensure the person has a “biological need” to receive that treatment meaning they must be intersex or have a verifiable disorder of sex development (DSD) In addition to the approval of Al-Azhar. HRT is only allowed after a "sex-change surgery".
Until Sep 4, 2003
Legal
Until 2003, sex reassignment surgery wasn't regulated and was provided for trans people. Fatwas were even passed to recognise such changes and condemn those who did not pursue care.

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Al Iskandariyah

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Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Al Iskandariyah is not legally recognized.

Current status
Not legally recognized
Egypt has not recognized a category other than male and female for intersex nor non-binary people.
Any gender beyond the binary cisgender model is officially treated as an illness.
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LGBT discrimination in Al Iskandariyah

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LGBT discrimination in Al Iskandariyah is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Egypt, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from discrimination.
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LGBT employment discrimination in Al Iskandariyah

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LGBT employment discrimination in Al Iskandariyah is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Egypt, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from employment discrimination.
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LGBT housing discrimination in Al Iskandariyah

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LGBT housing discrimination in Al Iskandariyah is no protections.

Current status
No protections
In Egypt, neither sexual orientation nor gender identity is a protected class from housing discrimination.
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Same-sex adoption in Al Iskandariyah

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Same-sex adoption in Al Iskandariyah is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
Single parent adoption is only available for women who were previously married. Fostering is only available for opposite sex married couples.

Intersex infant surgery in Al Iskandariyah

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Intersex infant surgery in Al Iskandariyah is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
There is no ban on surgeries performed on intersex infants in Egypt however they need to receive approval from a special committee.
Sources:
www.state.gov/reports/2023-… - Section 6, Paragraphs 45 and 46
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Serving openly in military in Al Iskandariyah

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Serving openly in military in Al Iskandariyah is illegal.

Current status
Illegal
As homosexuality is illegal, serving in the military is also illegal. Egypt uses invasive examinations which it claims can detect suspected homosexuals.

Blood donations by MSMs in Al Iskandariyah

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Blood donations by MSMs in Al Iskandariyah is legal.

Current status
Legal
In Egypt, there are no known regulations regarding whether MSMs can donate blood. The application form references sexual activity but does not specify with whom specifically.
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Conversion therapy in Al Iskandariyah

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Conversion therapy in Al Iskandariyah is not banned.

Current status
Not banned
Conversation therapy is wildly (despite secretly) practiced in Egypt, at the hands of medical professionals at governmental and private medical establishments; as well as in religious institutions; in addition to nonprofessionals practicing it online.

Equal age of consent in Al Iskandariyah

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Equal age of consent in Al Iskandariyah is n/a.

Current status
N/A
Homosexuality is not legal in Egypt.
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