liberal libya

May 3, 2004: Moammar Gadhafi, the president of Libya, has made some anti-gay remarks in the past but may be pleased to know that his gay citizens regard Libya as liberal by comparison to neighbouring Egypt.

Behind the Mask has recently had some correspondence from gay people living in Libya. Although they describe the legal system as being "The same as in Saudi Arabia" they do also acknowledge that due to revisions and modifications in Libyan law, "It's more open here, more than any other places for meeting, such as in Egypt."

Libya has recently softened its approach to the west and has restored relations with Great Britain after a long period of diplomatic tension following the Lockerbie terrorist attack. Some tourism has opened up almost immediately with adventurous Brits holidaying in Libya only months after a visit by Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

Last year a brief correspondence with a travel agent in Tripoli revealed that the German tourist market has been flourishing for some time and gay tourists from Germany have been quick to explore this previously inaccessible country.

There is little, however, by the way of organising around gay issues in Libya. Our contact is keen to hear from other gays and lesbians in Libya and neighbouring Tunisia, with a view to arranging meetings and perhaps to getting some organisation off the ground. "At present there are no meeting places for gay people in Tripoli. I have some connections and there are some gay cruising areas, but that is all."