Egypt's Coptic church to hold 'Volcano of Homosexuality' conference

Egypt's Coptic church is organizing a conference titled "Volcano of Homosexuality," stirring controversy centered on LGBTQ intolerance in the country. 

According to local media, St. Mark's Orthodox Coptic Cathedral, which represents Egypt's Coptic Orthodox minority, is set to hold the conference that aims to "combat homosexuality" and suggest ways for a "speedy recovery."

"The conference aims to increase awareness on how to achieve a 'speedy recovery' from homosexuality through [a] number of lectures by the Cathedral’s priests," Egypt Independent reports.

The cathedral - the seat of the Coptic Pope - is yet to announce the details of the conference.

St.Mark's Orthodox Coptic Cathedral has previously spoken out against homosexuality, claiming that the Holy Bible describes homosexual acts as "filthy."

Earlier this month, Patriarch of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Pope Tawadros II, voiced opposition to same-sex marriage, saying that according to the scriptures of the Holy Bible, "There is no - at all - same-sex marriage." 

He went on to say that same-sex unions contradict the Christian faith, adding, "When God created man and woman and for them, the first family was made by man and woman. This is not acceptable and it is considered as a sin."

While homosexuality is not illegal in Egypt, according to The Guardian, police routinely arrest individuals using decades-old prostitution and debauchery laws. 

According to media reports from earlier this year, Egyptian police have even been targeting gay men through hookup apps like Grindr.

The crackdown on homosexuals in the country dates back to 2001 when police raided the Queen Boat - a floating disco on the Nile.

This saw the arrest of 52 gay Egyptian men, who were forced to undergo anal examinations to see if they had engaged in sexual intercourse. 

Earlier this week, Egyptian authorities arrested seven people for raising rainbow flags - commonly known as gay pride flags - at Lebanese band Mashrou' Leila's Cairo concert.

The individuals were detained under charges of "promoting sexual deviancy" and "inciting immorality."