Focus on Tarik

September 2011

“Five years ago, before I left Tunisia, I not only heard homophobic remarks, I also made them myself. I used to belong to extremist religious group, not "physically" violent, more mentally violent.”

Photo: ©Bradley Secker.

I was taught that homosexuals should be killed by throwing them from a high place. I was taught that any sexual feeling should be fought with prayers and fasting and that being gay is surely because of the devil we have inside. I liked men and hated myself.

Now, the main reason I don't want to go back to Tunisia is that I don't want to lose myself. I am afraid of the "old" me. I like the "new" me.

I am afraid to speak about gay rights with non-religious friends in Tunisia, because they become worse than religious people when it is about gays.

I may be selfish, but I am getting used to freedom and cannot go back to a sexist and homophobic environment. Being gay in Tunisia can lead to prison. The authorities regularly make propaganda in order to manipulate or satisfy public opinion. People are very relieved when a gay group is arrested and feel the police are doing good job.

In rich places, gays can "survive" but in popular quarters, gays have two options. They can get married, make prayers, be a good Muslim. Or they can be a prostitute, generally abused by bisexual frustrated men and treated with contempt and hate. They are threatened by STDs and are in very bad financial situation.

The anti-gay laws in Tunisia are also used in revenge. One can at any moment accuse his enemy of practising sodomy, even if it is false.