Lebanon's Court of Cassation ruled on Thursday that homosexuality cannot be considered a criminal act, potentially setting a precedent for the LGBT community in the nation. Lebanon is considered one of the most progressive Arab nations when it comes to gay rights. In its ruling on Thursday, the court said homosexual acts do not violate the country's criminal code because they do not contravene the "order of nature." The judges ruled that the defendants in the case, who were charged with having homosexual relations, were innocent because "homosexuality is a personal choice, and is not a punishable offence." Similar cases in the past led to convictions and prison sentences, but the new ruling may now lead to legalizing homosexuality. Not long after the ruling, anti-gay Lebanese took to social media to protest the decision and called for severe punishment of the defendants.
Landmark ruling in Lebanon says homosexuality not 'illegal'
Judges say homosexual acts do not contravene "order of nature" and therefore are not in violation of Lebanon's criminal code • Judges say "homosexuality is a personal choice, and is not a punishable offence" • Ruling may pave way to decriminalization.
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