First Gay Community Magazine in Egypt Halts Production
The closing down of an online magazine catering for the gay community in Egypt, believed to be first of its kind, has stirred concerns from rights activists about the status of homosexuals in the country.
Ehna, which translates from Arabic to “us,” halted its online circulation earlier this year in hushed circumstances, with an abrupt statement, after launching its first issue.
On the magazine’s Facebook page, once abundant with empowering slogans, links and screenshots from the magazine’s web pages, a lone message posted on May 27, reads:
“We have been forced to shut down the online magazine due to security reasons. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.”
Ehna, which translates from Arabic to “us,” halted its online circulation earlier this year in hushed circumstances, with an abrupt statement, after launching its first issue.
On the magazine’s Facebook page, once abundant with empowering slogans, links and screenshots from the magazine’s web pages, a lone message posted on May 27, reads:
“We have been forced to shut down the online magazine due to security reasons. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.”
Ehna had a bold mission statement: To become the voice for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) communities in Egypt. The magazine attempted to defend their rights, tackle homophobia in the country and raise awareness on issues such as HIV, spotlighting celebrity members of the gay Egyptian community.
But as the site’s announcements gathered pace, the site came to a standstill.
Commenters who had breathed a sigh of relief that an online magazine for the homosexual community had launched, were left stumped.
But as the site’s announcements gathered pace, the site came to a standstill.
Commenters who had breathed a sigh of relief that an online magazine for the homosexual community had launched, were left stumped.
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