There is a terrifying silence that lives inside your chest when you realize that the place you were born, the streets you grew up on, and even the walls of your family home are no longer safe for you.
Imagine if this were your younger sibling, your closest cousin, or your child—forced to live every single day in constant, heart-pounding fear, hiding who they are just to stay alive.
For LGBTQ+ individuals in Libya, survival means enduring a reality where the state criminalizes your existence. Under Articles 407 & 408 of the Libyan Penal Code, consensual same-sex acts carry severe prison sentences of up to 5 years, with extremist interpretations frequently seeking capital punishment.
Beyond the legal threat lies a lawless reality. Unchecked armed militias operate with total impunity—actively tracking individuals online, setting traps, conducting arbitrary arrests, and subjecting victims to severe abuse and extortion in clandestine holding centers.
When exposure happens, society offers no protection. Family banishment and extreme social violence leave individuals completely defenseless, rejected by the very people meant to shield them.
Sawt: The Voice for the Voiceless
In Arabic, Sawt (صوت) means “Voice”. We named ourselves Sawt because we refuse to let our community be silenced or erased. We exist to be the voice for the voiceless—a safe bridge in the dark when every door has been slammed shut.
“Your Shout is the start of your freedom.“
As the first and only dedicated Libyan LGBTQ+ organization, our team operates in complete secrecy inside Libya to protect our activists and those we serve. To ensure maximum operational security, transparency, and global legitimacy, Sawt is legally headquartered in France:
- Official Name: SAWT
- Official Address: 10 Rue de Penthièvre, Paris, 75008, France
- Legal Registration: Association Loi 1901 (RNA: W751282085 | SIREN: 999093057 | SIRET: 99909305700019)
How Your Contribution Saves Lives
Keeping this vital lifeline open requires continuous support. When you look at those facing this unbearable reality, do not view them as distant strangers—see them as family members who desperately need a protective shield.
As a registered European entity, your contribution is tax-deductible in France and the EU through our authorized fiscal partners.
When you donate today, you aren’t just giving money—you are wrapping a protective hand around a family member in the dark, answering their cry, and keeping their voice alive.
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We accept direct bank transfers (SEPA, Wire, ACH, or SWIFT) in EUR, USD, or GBP. Click below to request our official banking information via email.