On April 13, a Moroccan transgender Instagram personality based in Istanbul, Naoufal Moussa or Sofia Talouni, was insulted about her sexual orientation. What makes this episode particularly painful, gay leaders say, is that it was ignited by someone who had also been singled out. “But in Morocco, same-sex behavior is also criminalized, so victims could find themselves trapped in a tragic catch-22 situation.” “A legal system respectful of universal rights would empower victims to press charges,” he said. “When wrapped in incitement to hate and calls to violence based on sexual orientation, it’s also a crime.” “Forcibly outing people is not just an obvious violation of their right to privacy,” said Ahmed Benchemsi, the communications director for the Middle East and North Africa division of Human Rights Watch. Now, their cover has been blown in a way that would be criminal in most Western societies, rights advocates say.
