Rabat- Following the arrest of a gay couple that kissed publicly in front of the Hassan Tower in Rabat, a group of activists launched an online petition on June 12 demanding their release.
The petition, which was launched in partnership with the Moroccan association for the defense of homosexuals Aswat, has already gathered more than 61,549 signatures, which is very close to the targeted number.
“Being gay should not be a crime,” the petition says, calling for the freedom of “Lahcen and Mohsine and all others imprisoned in Morocco just because they are gay.”
The petition said that the gay couple, whose trial is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, face up to three years in prison if convicted.
Charged with “homosexuality” and “breach of public decency,” the same-sex couple appeared in court in the first sessions of their trial on Friday, but was reportedly adjourned till Thursday.
In conservative Moroccan society, homosexuality, lesbianism, and any other sexual act out-of-wedlock are not tolerated and are considered a crime by law.
The gay Moroccans took to the public esplanade of the Hassan Tower to exchange kisses in solidarity with the two French members of FEMEN, who kissed publicly in front of cameras in the same place.
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