US Embassy in Islamabad came under online criticism for a Twitter post advocating for the rights of the LGBTQ+ Community last week.
The embassy of the United States in Islamabad posted a social media post vouching for support for the LGBTQ+ community that spurred condemnation from the Pakistani Twitter users. “Mission Pakistan works to strengthen and support the LGBTQI+ community. We strive every day to ensure the human rights of the LGBTQI+ community are respected and protected from oppression. We continue to press for full equality,” said US Embassy in Islamabad.
The Twitter post perhaps extended the support to the LGBTQ+ community in Pakistan. Pakistan’s social fabric and Islamic religious values do not promote the LGBTQ community.
In another post, the embassy said: “LGBTQI+ rights are human rights, not special privileges.” Netizens argued that the embassy is present in Pakistan to support and protect the rights of its citizens in Pakistan. Other than that, they do not have the mandate to interfere in the societal and cultural values of Pakistan.
LGBTQI+ rights are human rights, not special privileges. #IDAHOBIT
— U.S. Embassy Islamabad (@usembislamabad) May 17, 2022
A Twitter user argued that US Embassy in Islamabad should also speak for the rights of Palestinians and Kashmiris.
Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba also condemned the Twitter post. Others asked why leaders and other political parties of Pakistan are silent over the interference of the US Embassy in Islamabad in the culture and society of Pakistan.
https://twitter.com/AmnahJPlus/status/1527920115211182082?s=20&t=XF2Eb7MjTakUzxLMnb-JKg
“US Embassy is openly advocating LGBTQ rights in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. This is totally against the constitutional, religious, and cultural norms of Pakistan. Any attempt to introduce such filth in Pakistan should be dealt with an iron fist,” wrote social media activist Aamah Jabeen.
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Netizens argued that they do support the rights of the transgender community in Pakistan. They also call for the government to take measures for the protection of the transgender however they do not support homosexuality.