Moroccan LGBTQ+ Victim Speaks Out After Surviving Brutal Attack for Holding Boyfriend's Hand

Mimoun Kabdani shares his story of survival under Morocco's anti-gay laws as global advocates call for change

The physical scars remain visible - a chipped tooth and marks near his left eye, Mimoun Kabdani says serve as permanent reminders of the violence he endured simply for holding his boyfriend's hand in public.

The 30-year-old atheist and gay man described to IPS News how four men attacked him and his partner last month in Rabat, Morocco, shouting homophobic slurs as they beat them.

"They called us 'zamel' [a derogatory Arabic term for gay men] while kicking us," Kabdani recalled. "What hurt more than the punches was knowing the police would do nothing - in Morocco, the law says we're the criminals."

A Country Where Love Is Illegal

Kabdani's experience reflects the dangerous reality for LGBTQ+ Moroccans under Article 489 of the country's Penal Code, which punishes same-sex relations with up to three years in prison. Human Rights Watch reports over 800 prosecutions under the law between 2017-2020.

Morocco, a North African country of around 38 million people, remains socially conservative, and public discussions about sexual orientation are often sensitive topics.

International rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have repeatedly called on Morocco to repeal Article 489, saying that the law violates international human rights standards, but Moroccan authorities have refused many times, arguing that it reflects the country’s legal and religious framework.

"Violence comes both from strangers and sometimes family," said Kabdani, noting a 2022 case where a transgender woman was nearly beaten to death by a mob in Marrakech. "There's no safe space - not even your home."

Global Attention on Morocco's LGBTQ+ Crackdown

The attack on Kabdani comes amid increased scrutiny of Morocco's treatment of sexual minorities. Last year, international outcry followed Moroccan authorities' raid of a private LGBTQ+ gathering near Casablanca that resulted in 80 arrests.

Local activists say the climate has worsened in recent years. "The government promotes Morocco as modern to tourists, while calling people like us 'scum' behind closed doors," said Jamal Malek, founder of the banned LGBTQ+ support group Aswat Collective.

Some human rights observers say victims of such attacks may hesitate to report incidents to authorities. Fear of stigma, public exposure, or potential legal consequences can discourage individuals from seeking help.

Activists say that beyond legal restrictions, social stigma surrounding sexual orientation remains widespread in Moroccan society. As a result, even small gestures such as holding hands between same-sex partners can attract unwanted attention or hostility in public spaces.

A Message of Resilience

Now speaking internationally about his experience, Kabdani stresses the importance of visibility. "Sharing our stories is resistance," he told the IPS News. "The world needs to know what's happening."

Advocates say that improving safety for vulnerable communities requires both stronger legal protections and broader public dialogue about tolerance and personal freedom. They argue that addressing violence and discrimination will require not only legal reform but also greater awareness and social change.

Human Rights Watch

• https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/04/08/morocco-victims-attack-jailed-homosexual-acts
• https://www.hrw.org/news/2014/07/08/morocco-homosexuality-convictions-upheld

Human Dignity Trust

• https://www.humandignitytrust.org/country-profile/morocco/

Amnesty International

• https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde29/0564/2025/en/
• https://www.amnesty.nl/actueel/amnesty-international-urges-morocco-to-ensure-full-respect-of-freedom-of-expression-association-and-assembly