Gigi Gorgeous detained at Dubai airport for being transgender
by Sarah Boone
Journalism Intern
YouTube star and model Gigi Gorgeous was detained on Tuesday in Dubai allegedly for being transgender.
According to TMZ, Gigi said the immigration officer who stopped her said, “I was told you are transgender. You cannot come into the country.”
TMZ also claims, “Gigi was born Gregory Lazzarato, but says her passport has been updated since she transitioned ... it now reads ‘Gigi Loren’.
“Airport police have a different story. They say the passport describes her as male and the passport photo shows Gigi as a male. Gigi tells us that's simply not true.”
In Dubai, the "imitation of women by men" is illegal under the “indecent acts” law and those who do not abide by that law face up jail time, deportation, or fines.
Gigi became YouTube famous by sharing her transitioning story on her channel. After being released from detainment on Wednesday, Gigi posted a picture on Instagram of her and – what appears to be – her partner along with the following statement:
“After being detained and held at the Dubai airport for over 5 hours, this was the moment my baby came to rescue me. Yesterday was one of the scariest moments of my entire life and I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.
“How you can be denied entry somewhere just because of who you are is seriously disgusting and also very scary. This further proves the need for CHANGE. I am now on my way to somewhere much more accepting. Safe and sound and happy. I love you guys.”
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Copyright 2016 The Gayly
The Gayly - 8/10/2016 @ 3:52 p.m. CDT