Over the past two days, a video showing tens of young men in Damascus, Syria, chasing and swarming a transgender woman has been circulating widely on social media.
The incident took place less than a week ago in one of Damascus’s well-known parks. It has sparked outrage among some segments of Syrian society due to the actions and language directed at the transgender woman shown in the video.
The footage shows a transgender woman being surrounded and pursued by tens of young men through the capital’s streets. During the chase, she was subjected to verbal harassment and bullying. The video has received widespread interaction on social media, including hundreds of negative comments aimed at her.
This incident highlights the significant danger facing members of sexual and gender minorities in Syria, amid persistent hate speech and phobia against them on the streets. Activists and humanitarian and human rights organizations have previously expressed concern about the increasing campaigns of hatred and violence targeting members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Since the beginning of the year, the Syrian public and social media have witnessed organized waves of hatred against members of the LGBTQIA+ community, following systematic campaigns of persecution and arrest against transgender women. These arrest and raid operations have included violence, torture, threats of mutilation and murder, in addition to public shaming and incitement.Earlier this year, the organization Guardians of Equality Movement documented in a detailed report the testimonies of Syrian LGBTQIA+ individuals who were subjected to violations during and after the fall of the regime. According to the organization’s research, Syria is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the region for LGBTQIA+ individuals.
