Kuwait deports dozens of homosexuals in 'morality raids'

Speaking to Kuwait's al-Seyassah newspaper, Mohammad al-Dhufairi said that "76 men have been deported" during a “moral” crackdown on homosexuality.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any morally distasteful deeds and we refuse to show leniency with anyone who breaks the rules or puts the health of Kuwaiti citizens and residents at risk,” al-Dhufairi told the newspaper.

During the raids, the committee found sex toys, women’s underwear and makeup that the men were reportedly using.

Twenty two massage parlours were also shut down after being suspected of being a hub for homosexual activity.

While being a part of the LGBTQ+ community in Kuwait is already difficult, with social and legal stigmas on homosexuality, LGBTQ+ expats in Kuwait are put at a significant disadvantage.

An official at the Kuwaiti health ministry said he wanted to come up with a homosexual detection system to keep gays out of Kuwait and other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council

In 2013, Yousuf Mindkar, an official at the Kuwaiti health ministry said in an interview that he wanted to come up with a homosexual detection system to keep gays out of Kuwait and other countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

LGBTQ+ individuals receive no protection of their rights in Kuwait and homosexual acts between men can result in a six-year prison sentence. Cross-dressing was outlawed in 2008.

There are no laws against sexual acts between women because under article 193 of the Kuwaiti Penal Code which punishes debauchery, homosexuality is interpreted by the courts to mean male homosexuality.