Kal Naga. | Photo: Facebook
One of Egypt’s most famous actors has taken the bold step of publicly speaking out in support of the LGBTI community.
Khaled Abol Naga tweeted to his 2.5 million followers that he wanted to end LGBTI people’s ‘suffering’.
‘Gay people are born with romantic tendencies toward the same sex and this is scientifically documented now, just like the roundness of the Earth. Ignorance of these facts is what society lacks to understand what homosexuals are suffering,’ he wrote.
The tweet went viral with more than 2,500 replying to the actor both in support of his comments and to criticize him.
It’s not the first time Naga has show his support for Egypt’s marginalized LGBTI community.
In 2015, he became one of the first Arab celebrities throw their support behind the LGBTI community. He tweeted his support for the US Supreme Court ruling which made same-sex marriage equal. He also posted a photo to Facebook wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with the Pride flag.
But campaigning for human rights is a no-brainer for the social justice warrior. He said in 2016 that he will always speak out for tolerance, human rights and justice in Egypt.
Naga is an award-winning producer, director and actor. He has also been UN Goodwill Ambassador since 2007.
Egypt’s LGBTI crackdown
Naga’s latest tweet comes at a time when Egypt is increasing its persecution of LGBTI people.
The government is trying to introduce a Bill which would make LGBTI activism illegal in Egypt. That follows the mass arrests of 70 people for flying Pride flags at a Mashrou’ Leila concert last year.
Since the concert authorities have arrested and jailed dozens of people under charges of ‘debauchery’, ‘inciting sexual deviancy’ and ‘joining an outlawed group’.
Human Rights Campaign’s Global Director Ty Cobb has called the Bill ‘one of the most dangerous anti-LGBTQ proposals we have seen in recent memory’.
