'No Longer Alone': LGBT Activists Speak Out Across The Middle East, North Africa

'No Longer Alone': LGBT Activists Speak Out Across The Middle East, North Africa

An Egyptian court has sentenced a TV presenter to a year in prison for interviewing a gay sex worker on his show.

Mohammed el-Gheiti was found guilty of encouraging immorality over an August 2018 segment in which the guest described his profession.

The gay man’s identity was hidden.

El-Gheiti, who can appeal the ruling, was fined around $US170 ($A237) and is free pending a final verdict.

The charges stem from a complaint filed by a private lawyer.

The TV host had himself reportedly expressed views against homosexuality in the past.

Egypt has waged a crackdown on perceived homosexuality in recent years, imprisoning people on vague charges of “debauchery”.

Homosexuality is not a crime in Egypt, but is widely seen as taboo in the conservative, Muslim-majority country. Prostitution is illegal.

In September 2017, authorities arrested dozens of people after several waved an LGBT rainbow flag at a Cairo concert.