Red Hot Chili Peppers fans in Egypt have reported they were searched for rainbow flags when heading in to their concert last weekend.
Journalist Samer Al-Atrush reported on social media that he was asked “you have no flags?”, being told that “flag for the gays. Not allowed.”
Entering Red Hot Chili Peppers concert at Cairo Pyramids. Police officer asks: “you have no flags?” Asked what type of flags responds: “flag for the gays. Not allowed.”
— Samer Al-Atrush (@SameralAtrush) March 15, 2019
Another journalist Eduard Cousins tweeted that officials at the entrance of the show were asking if any attendees had flags “with the colors, for the gays.”
A concertgoer tweeted back to Cousins, noting that his daughters crayons were taken away from their car – in case she were to draw a rainbow flag.
Officer at entrance of #redhotchilipeppers concert asks if we have any flags with us: “With the colors, for the gays, not allowed!” #Egypt
— Eduard Cousin (@EduardCousin) March 15, 2019
Though homosexuality is not against the law in Egypt, targeting the LGBTI+ community is not uncommon in the North African nation.
In 2016, reports emerged that Egyptian police were using Grindr to locate and arrest gay and bisexual+ men.
In 2014, a number of men were arrested for taking part in an unofficial gay wedding, after a video of the riverboat ceremony appeared on social media.
OIP Staff
Image:- Stock photo
