Marriage equality advocates hope to repeal Florida’s ban on gay marriage
Del. gender identity protections bill clears final legislative vote
Four sentenced to prison in kidnapping, attack on gay man in Ky.
ACLU sues Ind. motor vehicles bureau over gay youth group license plates
Campaign to raise awareness of HIV testing draws ire of Dallas lawmaker
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to attend Pentagon LGBT Pride event
Obama urges international community to embrace LGBT equality in Berlin speech
TORONTO — An Arab-Israeli lesbian couple, who fled to Canada from Israel in fear of death at the hands of their Muslim family have been told they can remain in Canada for another chance at receiving asylum.
Iman Musa and Majida Mugrabi, living in Toronto, filed unsuccessful refugee claims that were appealed to the Federal Court of Canada; and now the couple has been granted another hearing by an Immigration and Refugee Board based on new information that shows one of Mugrabi’s cousins confessed to the “honor killing” of his sister 12-years ago, reported the Toronto Sun.
According to the Sun, the couple provided an emotional letter explaining that they would be killed if forced to return because they are Muslim and in a same-gender relationship.
The couple, through their lawyer, Daniel Kingwell, said they were pleased by the court’s decision but still fear for their lives.
“As Muslim women, we don’t have any rights in our families,” the couple wrote. “The fact that we are lesbians does not help.”
The letter claimed Mugrabi’s grandfather is a Muslim sheikh, who “repeatedly threatened to kill her.” Musa’s brother, from Ramleh, has “threatened to kill her if she does not leave her lesbian relationship and marry a male,” the women alleged.
“There are several police complaints regarding the threats of her brother.”
“Same sex relationships are not permitted or accepted in all Arabic countries,” they said. “There are many stories about honor killings and we are victims of this.”
Kingwell said the women will be killed if deported to Israel.
“The situation is not the greatest for gays or lesbians in some Arab countries,” Kingwell said on Saturday, adding many “honour killings” occur from family members who slay their same-sex or gay relatives.
While Israel is known as a country highly tolerant of its thriving LGBT community with elements of equality, Arab communities in Israel still hold an extremely conservative outlook and condemn the LGBT lifestyle.
The U.S. Courts have, on several occasions, granted asylum to lesbians who seek refuge after similar death threats by family members in Middle eastern countries.
Filed under: North America
Eldest of ‘19 Kids and Counting’ joins anti-gay hate group FRC
Rubio: ‘I’m done’ with immigration bill if gay couples are included
Marco Rubio: No ‘special’ rights for gay Americans — but I’m not ‘a bigot’
Brazil lawmakers OK bill to allow treatment of homosexuality as a disorder
Christian college expels lesbian, wants her to repay grant money
Lesbian may be forced to testify against spouse in Ky. murder case
Mugabe vows to strengthen penalties against gays: ‘They should rot in jail’
Man pleads not guilty in New York City hate crime shooting
Russia to ban adoption by same-sex couples
E.W. Jackson: Using my past anti-gay statements against me is ‘persecution’
At LGBT Pride reception, Obama urges ban on workplace bias against gays
‘M’ or ‘F’? Outdated IDs worry transgender people
Idaho GOP leaders urge lawmakers to erase local LGBT protections
Pope Francis wades diplomatically into gay marriage debate
Hope the are granted permanent asylum. My prayers are w them.
Wow. that’s scary…
Hate is a terrible evil. Don’t people have better things to do? Like house cleaning, sorry. I mean why?
Were quite fortunate in that regard, I hope they get Asylum.
Boo on Canada’s gov for even thinking of deporting refugees. Their blood will be on your hands!
My prayers are for them to live safely.
And to ask a question.
Where in the world can American
LGBT people live safely without fear. Its not America.
If they get deported It would be sad. I hope the best for them two.
Keep them here!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let them stay, but lose the face dress, it’s demeaning to women and you’ll gather more sympathy.
<3 <3 <3 *All bendables crossed* <3 <3 <3
But Christine, muslim women don’t see it as demeaning at all. just because you perceive it that way, doesn’t mean that it is that way for them. You must learn to look at it from a different perspective.
Exactly Renee, to them, we are demeaning because we reveal so much. In a way it can be true too. It’s a life choice they choose and you don’t have to like it, but at least try to accept it. It’s a way of life for them, they’re not telling you how to dress.
this is a tragedy, the movement has come so far. However cultural differences and this lifestyle are sure to breed indifference and discrimination. A LONG WAY TO GO!
Sorry, but there are quite a few scholars who agree that the burka is demeaning and a tool of oppression at the hands of men. These women are essentially brainwashed into believing that “normal” western clothing is demeaning and sinful. There are also ways to dress conservatively and modestly that do not require a woman cover her face and cloak her body in a shroud, so I agree, wake up ladies! Embrace your freedom before it’s taken away and ditch the burka.