Manama: A young Bahraini man was sentenced to one month in prison for crossdressing in public.
Gulf | Bahrain
Crossdresser sent to Bahrain jail for indecent behaviour
Undercover policemen arrest man wearing a wig and heavy mascara while walking down the road
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 13:01 April 4, 2012
The man was walking down a busy road while wearing a wig and shorts and had heavy mascara around his eyes when he was arrested by undercover policemen, according to the charge sheet.
He was later charged with indecent behaviour and encouraging debauchery. Homosexuality is banned in Bahrain.
Lawmakers, wary of the growing number of homosexuals in the country, have been pushing for a crackdown, including the adoption of tougher immigration measures and prompt deportations for foreigners.
In 2010, nine Arab crossdressers were arrested and charged with public debauchery on New Year's Eve.
The police did not mention their nationalities, but said that they were from different Arab countries and that they were arrested in a hotel disco house in Manama.
The crossdressers, heavily made-up and wearing provocative outfits, were reportedly soliciting revellers at the disco house.
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