Sexual Freedom Protest

What if you were in a bar or on a pleasure boat socializing and the police
arrested you simply for SUSPICION of being gay (LGBT)?

What if they then harassed you, tortured you, published your photo, name and
address in local papers, while you were still imprisoned awaiting trial for
"contempt for religion" and "obscene behavior"?

What if no legal counsel would take on your case due to fear of retribution
by this same government?

YOU would be OUTRAGED! And SCARED. And feeling HELPLESS.

This scenario played out May 11, 2001, for 52 Egyptian nationals aboard a
Cairo disco -- "Queen Boat." Their trial in Emergency State Court is this
Wed., August 15. There is NO APPEAL process!

WHY AM I WRITING TO YOU?

I look back at the Holocaust and wonder, "Why didn't more Americans try to do
something to stop the madness for our brothers and sisters (gay or not) in
another country?" I believe every good intention and action MAKES A
DIFFERENCE.

If you are available, please consider joining me at the following ACTION:

"International Day of Mourning & Solidarity"

DEMONSTRATION

WED., AUGUST 15 ~ 3 - 6 PM
EGYPTIAN CONSULATE GENERAL in SF
BROADWAY & LYON Streets (MUNI # 24 or # 3)

Bring posters, banners, gay flags, American flags, noisemakers/whistles,
friends. Every bit helps. The media has been invited. Let our numbers be
our strength and let the Egyptian Government know -- WE ARE WATCHING and
MONITORING your every move!

This effort is joined by many groups around the world including Amnesty
International, MCC, International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission,
Human Rights Watch, and many more.

If you cannot participate in the rally, consider the actions below. Thank you
for your time and support,

Gary Virginia
Member, SF Human Rights Commission LGBT Advisory Committee
(415) 626-5004 (residence)

ACTION:

Anyone can help put pressure on the Egyptian government directly to release
the fifty two detainees by complaining directly to the man who must bear the
ultimate responsibility

His Excellency Muhammad Hosni Mubarak,
Office of the President,
Al Etahadia Building,
Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt.

If you live in the UNITED STATES, you could also help by advocating for the
prisoners' release directed to any of the following Egyptian diplomatic
posts.

Minister Plenipotentiary Afaf El Mazariki
3001 Pacific Avenue
San Francisco CA 94115
Tel: (415) 346-9700 /346-9702/346-7352
Fax: (415) 346-9480
Email: egypt [at] egy2000.com

Ambassador NABIL ISMAIL FAHMY
3521 International C.T N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 895-5400
Fax: (202) 244-4319/244-5131
Email: egypt-embassy [at] usa.net

Ambassador El Hosseini Abdel Wahab
500 N. Michigan Avenue
Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60611
500 N. MICHIGAN AVE. SUITE 1900
CHICAGO, IL 60611
Tel: (312) 828-9164/828-9163/828-9162
Fax: (312) 828-9167

Ambassador Minou Serry
1990 Post Oak Blvd.
Suite 2180
Houston TX 77056
Tel: (713) 961-4915/961-4916
Fax: (713) 961-3868

Ambassador Mahmoud Allam
1110 Second Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10022
Tel: (212) 759-7120/759-7121/759-7122
Fax: (212) 308-7643
Email: egyptcg [at] aol.com


Check out these sites for more info:

* International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and Human Rights
http://www.iglhrc.org/news/press/pr_010703.html

* Al-Fatiha Press Release Re: Egypt: August 6, 2001
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/al-fatiha-news

* Amnesty International Egypt Action: July 27, 2001
http://www.amnestyusa.org/action/outfront_egypt_07272001.html

* Explaining Egypt's Targeting of Gays, Middle East Research and Information
Project (MERIP - July 23, 2001 -
http://www.iglhrc.org/world/Africa/Egypt2001Jul.html

http://www.gayegypt.com