For LGBTQ+ people in Egypt, the internet is both a lifeline and a trap

June 12, 2026

The article explores the dangerous digital landscape faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in Egypt, focusing on Jan, a 33-year-old non-binary Egyptian who was forced to completely rebuild his online identity for safety reasons. Egypt criminalizes same-sex relations and uses cybercrime laws to target LGBTQ+ people, while state media promotes hate speech and coordinated campaigns like "Fetrah" spread anti-LGBTQ+ messaging across social platforms. Jan and others in the community face threats from multiple sources including security forces, far-right groups, and even members within their own community, leading many to isolate themselves entirely from online spaces.

Who is affected

Jan, a 33-year-old non-binary Egyptian
Transgender and gender non-binary people in Egypt
LGBTQ+ individuals in Egypt broadly
Women and minorities targeted by hate speech
M.A., a researcher and gender activist
Queer Egyptians seeking online connection and community

What action is being taken

Jan has deleted old social media accounts and rebuilt his online presence with safety measures
Egyptian media is disseminating hate speech and incitement against the LGBTQ+ community
Economic Courts are exercising influence over public life by reinforcing digital surveillance and policing digital morality
The Fetrah campaign is launching coordinated posts across social media platforms promoting anti-LGBTQ+ messaging
LGBTQ+ community members are withdrawing from online spaces to protect their mental well-being

Why it matters

This matters because LGBTQ+ individuals in Egypt face systematic legal persecution through laws criminalizing same-sex relations and cybercrime legislation, leaving them without legal protections or recourse when threatened. The combination of state surveillance, societal stigma, coordinated hate campaigns, and harassment from both outside and within the community creates a compound vulnerability that forces people to choose between isolation and exposure. The digital space, which could provide vital connection and support for a marginalized community, instead becomes another site of danger that restricts free expression and access to resources, effectively silencing an already persecuted group.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices