An online magazine devoted to gay
rights in Egypt has shuttered after publishing its first issue.
Ehna (We) was believed to be the
first magazine to cater to Egypt's LGBT community.
A May 27 post on the magazine's
Facebook page read: “We have been forced to shut down the online
magazine due to security reasons. We apologize for the inconvenience
and thank you for your patience.”
The magazine's first and only issue
delved into the nation's vague law against homosexuality (charges
include “offenses against public morals and sensitivities” and
“violating the teachings of religion and propagating depraved ideas
and moral depravity”), the world of sexually transmitted diseases
and events commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia
(IDAHO).
According to Al
Arabiya English, gay rights groups closely associated with Ehna
refused to even discuss where the magazine was based.
Its Wordpress
blog only says: “The authors have deleted this blog.”
A
copy of Ehna's
first issue can be downloaded from the International Gay &
Lesbian Human Rights Commission website.