Tunisia

Gay politician is running for president

The article has ignored a crucial background that proves that the anti-homosexuality law is not religious -based law.

"As noted by Tunisian Law Professor Sana Ben Achour, the criminalization of homosexuality in Tunisia began with the passage of 1913 Penal Code, imposed by colonial authorities during the French protectorate.  Previous iterations of the Tunisian penal code, such as the Qanun Al Jinayat Wal Ahkam Al Urfya (قانون الجنايات والأحكام العرفية), issued in 1860’s under the Husainid dynasty, included no provisions criminalizing homosexuality..." [like in today's South Korea's constitution, for example]

In the 1860s by the way Tunisians were Muslims! A similar law was passed by the French in Lebanon. Similar policies were either passed or encouraged by Victorians in the colonies. Even Muslim writers adopted the Victorian language of "perversion" in their literature. The British criminalised homosexuality in India. Only last year India passed a decriminalising law.

Further reading:

Joseph Massad's book Desiring Arabs, (2007/2008)