Published in Rabat, the magazine is 'a breath of fresh air for a gay community that's criminalised and discriminated against', says www.gaymaroc.net. According to Islamists, homosexuality is considered 'counter to the future of humanity'.

The name 'Mithly' is a play on words, meaning both 'homosexual' and 'like me' in Arabic. The magazine, found at www.mithly.net, contains articles, local and international news, short stories and poetry. It does not contains explicit photographs.

It has not been possible to print a hard copy of the magazine, but the founders of the monthly magazine expect a large internet readership. According to them, the magazine is first and foremost an opportunity for those in a suffering community to express themselves. 'It's a healthy catharsis for a fringe segment of the population that is persecuted both by the State and by conservatives', they say.

It's also a brave move. Next month's issue will broach another taboo subject - that of the high level of suicides amongst Moroccan gays.

Source: riadzany.blogspot.com