Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ALGIERS958
2007-07-05 13:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Algiers
how-toVZCZCXRO3799 PP RUEHTRO DE RUEHAS #0958 1861356 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051356Z JUL 07 FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3992 INFO RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 1672 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID 8598 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 5978 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 2251 RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT 1835 RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA 3009
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000958
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2017
TAGS: PHUM SOCI SCUL AG
SUBJECT: TO BE ALGERIAN AND GAY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton;
reasons 1.4 (b, d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ALGIERS 000958
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2017
TAGS: PHUM SOCI SCUL AG
SUBJECT: TO BE ALGERIAN AND GAY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton;
reasons 1.4 (b, d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Articles 333 and 338 of Algeria's penal code
criminalize public homosexual behavior and there is no
specific legal protection of homosexuals in the country. In
a July 2 meeting held at the headquarters of Algerian NGO
AIDS Algerie, five young members of Algeria's male homosexual
community told poloff the articles are never enforced and the
country accepts homosexuals, as long as their sexual activity
is private. They added that sex and sexuality are considered
private issues for all Algerians, regardless of sexual
orientation. END SUMMARY
2. (C) The five young men, all of whom lived with their
parents, told poloff it was possible to live a homosexual
life in Algeria, but "in an Algerian context." They named
several gay-friendly venues in Algiers, spoke of
transgendered acquaintances and mentioned knowing older gay
individuals, but also said that Algerian homosexuals did not
publicize their sexual orientation because it was not
culturally acceptable. Not all had revealed their sexual
orientation to their parents or family members. They also
said that Algerian society was evolving, making an
alternative lifestyle more acceptable. Important to this
evolution, they said, were growing internet and satellite
television access, which connects Algerians to the rest of
the world.
3. (C) All denied they faced overt discrimination because of
their sexuality, although not all were open about their
sexuality. One openly gay member of the group said he lost
friends when he initially came out of the closet, but shortly
thereafter found a group of friends that provided a support
network. He added that a female police officer randomly
asked him if he was gay, to which he responded affirmatively
and was told, "That is your choice. You are a victim."
4. (C) COMMENT: Algerian society tolerates homosexuality, as
long as it remains largely out of sight. Given cultural
taboos and severe legal penalties still on the books (though
apparently rarely if ever enforced),homosexuality is more
prevalent than meets the eye, from the most liberal to the
most conservative elements of society. The five young men
from AIDS Algerie, all non-practicing Muslims, said they
faced no problems being gay, noting they frequented
gay-friendly venues and had gay friends. One even said he
had a gay friend who was a married imam.
DAUGHTON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/03/2017
TAGS: PHUM SOCI SCUL AG
SUBJECT: TO BE ALGERIAN AND GAY
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires, a.i. Thomas F. Daughton;
reasons 1.4 (b, d)
1. (C) SUMMARY: Articles 333 and 338 of Algeria's penal code
criminalize public homosexual behavior and there is no
specific legal protection of homosexuals in the country. In
a July 2 meeting held at the headquarters of Algerian NGO
AIDS Algerie, five young members of Algeria's male homosexual
community told poloff the articles are never enforced and the
country accepts homosexuals, as long as their sexual activity
is private. They added that sex and sexuality are considered
private issues for all Algerians, regardless of sexual
orientation. END SUMMARY
2. (C) The five young men, all of whom lived with their
parents, told poloff it was possible to live a homosexual
life in Algeria, but "in an Algerian context." They named
several gay-friendly venues in Algiers, spoke of
transgendered acquaintances and mentioned knowing older gay
individuals, but also said that Algerian homosexuals did not
publicize their sexual orientation because it was not
culturally acceptable. Not all had revealed their sexual
orientation to their parents or family members. They also
said that Algerian society was evolving, making an
alternative lifestyle more acceptable. Important to this
evolution, they said, were growing internet and satellite
television access, which connects Algerians to the rest of
the world.
3. (C) All denied they faced overt discrimination because of
their sexuality, although not all were open about their
sexuality. One openly gay member of the group said he lost
friends when he initially came out of the closet, but shortly
thereafter found a group of friends that provided a support
network. He added that a female police officer randomly
asked him if he was gay, to which he responded affirmatively
and was told, "That is your choice. You are a victim."
4. (C) COMMENT: Algerian society tolerates homosexuality, as
long as it remains largely out of sight. Given cultural
taboos and severe legal penalties still on the books (though
apparently rarely if ever enforced),homosexuality is more
prevalent than meets the eye, from the most liberal to the
most conservative elements of society. The five young men
from AIDS Algerie, all non-practicing Muslims, said they
faced no problems being gay, noting they frequented
gay-friendly venues and had gay friends. One even said he
had a gay friend who was a married imam.
DAUGHTON