ABSTRACT
Various actors in Egypt almost monolithically embrace the representation of homosexuality as a form of perversion. Since the year 2000, several homosexuals, especially males, have been judged and punished. At the same time, international actors also started to advocate the abolishment of prostitution, which was considered a crime against the dignity of women and a form of slavery. Therefore, a comprehensive legislation against the exploitation of prostitution, law 10/1961, was promulgated. The emergence of an anti-homosexuality and homophobic discourse in Egypt affects religious sources, as might have been expected and also judicial sources, even though religious law is unapplicable in Egypt. Another pervasive argument is the reference to sexually transmitted diseases, and especially HIV and AIDS, which is represented as being the consequence of immoral sexual behaviours and a divine punishment. According to another persistent argument, ayn (Satan) is responsible for pushing homosexuals to commit this crime.
