Same-sex wedding in Saudi Arabia sees guests arrested

Footage of an alleged same-sex wedding ceremony close to the Holy City of Mecca has gone viral and has had the internet divided as the video shows two men walking down what appears to be an outdoor wedding aisle. Another man walks behind the apparent newlyweds, spraying them with confetti as music blares in the background.

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Both men were clothed in traditional Saudi attire and one of them appeared to wear a wedding veil, according to UNILAD. This ceremony appears to have incited particular anger due to how close the area was to the holy place of the Muslims, Mecca. However, what was supposed to be a happy occasion lead to the arrest of the bridal couple and even the guests. A statement was released by the government saying that, 'After the crossdresser and other people involved in the incident were identified, they were all arrested and their case will now be referred to the prosecution'.

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Some have taken the time to praise the couple, while others have condemned the act for having taken place near the holy city. 

According to The Guardian, homosexual relationships are still criminialised in over 72 countries around the world and one of them is Saudi Arabia. If LGBT citizens are found guilty in Saudi Arabia under Sharia Law, they could face being deported out of the country, experience lashings, and even could face the death penalty. 

I managed to get in contact with an anonymous source who is currently living in the Middle East. Listen as he shares details of the underground LGBT community and his thoughts on how he thinks the country will respond to homosexuality in years to come. 

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