A gay Syrian activist who endured severe torture under rebel groups that toppled Bashar al-Assad has said many LGBTQ+ Syrians are celebrating the regime change despite concerns about what lies ahead.
Francois Zankih, a human rights campaigner and founder of Syria’s first LGBTQ+ organisation, Guardians of Equality Movement (GEM), fled Syria in 2020 after being kidnapped twice by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and receiving a death threat from the group.
Zankih acknowledges that HTS, which played a key role in Assad’s downfall, has altered its behaviour towards minorities, including LGBTQ+ individuals. However, systemic homophobia across Syrian society leaves many LGBTQ+ people still facing significant risks. Zankih described Assad as “the biggest source of violence” against LGBTQ+ people, explaining how the regime created a hostile environment through legal oppression and societal conditioning.
Under Assad’s rule, LGBTQ+ Syrians were subjected to arrests, torture, and even death for their sexual orientation or gender identity. The country’s 1949 Penal Code criminalises same-sex relationships with up to three years’ imprisonment, and security forces often used entrapment tactics to target individuals. Society remains deeply homophobic, making LGBTQ+ individuals vulnerable to violence even without direct government persecution.
“Even though HTS has moderated its approach, there’s no certainty they can be trusted. Social attitudes remain the biggest threat,” Zankih said, noting instances of families killing LGBTQ+ relatives.
HTS, which emerged from the al-Qaeda-affiliated Jabhat al-Nusra, has been working to rebrand itself as a legitimate governing body. While it continues to face allegations of human rights abuses, Zankih acknowledges improvements in how the group treats minorities, citing examples of LGBTQ+ individuals returning to HTS-controlled areas and facing milder punishments compared to the past.
However, Zankih remains cautious. “HTS is focusing on consolidating power, not LGBTQ+ rights. Their approach may be strategic, not ideological,” he explained.
Despite the challenges, Zankih is optimistic about the potential for change. He believes Assad’s removal creates an opportunity for societal progress, even as societal homophobia remains a barrier. GEM is working to foster reconciliation and raise awareness, pushing for international scrutiny of Syria’s human rights record, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ issues.
“Syria has a tradition of social forgiveness. We can build on this to create a safer environment for LGBTQ+ people,” Zankih said. His organisation is advocating for a Universal Periodic Review by the United Nations to hold Syria accountable for its treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals.
As Syrians navigate a new chapter in their history, LGBTQ+ activists like Zankih see this moment as a chance to rebuild not just politically but socially—laying the foundation for greater acceptance and equality.
