LGBT rights in Algeria

LGBT rights in Algeria covers the legal and social conditions of LGBT people living in Algeria.

Homosexuality
According to Article 388

The social climate is not very tolerant of homosexual individuals. "Behind the Mask, a non-profit media organization that publishes information for gay men and lesbians in Ajbbubribes Algerian public attitudes as 'violently homophobic;' it states that gay people can be assassination targets for Islamic fundamentalists and that honour killings by family and neighbours are not rare."RIR Responses Examples of hate crimes against homosexuals include the stoning of two men in the street in 2001 and the killing of two men, one in 1994 and the other in 1996.

Most attempts at same-sex marriage end in police action, as was the case in a 2005 attempt.

This troublesome and dangerous life led one man, Ramzi Isalam, to seek asylum in the United Kingdom.

Homosexuality in Algeria is tolerated by some. In 2007 a large majority of people accepted homosexuals by showing tolerance and equality. The president Abdelaziz Bouteflika replied to a question about homosexuals saying: "If they behave well nobody will harm them and will give them all the freedom they deserve".

In Algiers, for example, it is very common to see homosexuals in public, those more visible often wearing flashy clothes or taking part in transvestism, and so lately they have been tolerated.

Louisa Hanoune, president of the Workers' Party (Algeria), from the left, is asking for authorization for the revision of the constitution that will be made in 2008 to remove Article 333 and other articles that are against freedom or which demonstrate inequality.

Islamic influence
Laws are influenced by the number of people who see homosexuality as against the Islamic faith. Algeria is known for extremist laws, such as one banning religious conversion.

New Politic
Louisa Hanoune in 2008, has pledged to defend homosexuals and give them many more rights and a life much more freedom in Algeria. Louisa Hanoune has been nominated for president in 2004, and will be a candidate for the Algerian presidential election, 2009.