Lebanese Gays Demonstrate against Body Cavity Searches at Police Stations

Following are excerpts from a TV report on a Lebanese gay rights demonstration, which aired on Al-Jadeed/New TV on August 12, 2012.

Reporter: Against the backdrop of the arrests at Cinema Plaza, the Lebanese gay rights organization called to demonstrate opposite the Justice Ministry, to protest body examinations based on sexual [preferences].

Male demonstrator: We have come here to exert pressure in order to obtain a legal order, which will abolish cavity searches in police stations, which we consider to be a violation of human rights and an affront against one's physical and mental wellbeing. We also seek the abolishment of forced virginity tests, which are performed on girls in police stations.

Female demonstrator: What goes on in police stations is a violation of human rights. It humiliates people.

[...]