Yemenis Attack 'Transgender' Ambassador of Youth Government For His Appearance

Cairo-based Yemeni singer Mohanad Al-Rudaini has been facing strong backlash for appearing 'feminine' and supposedly being 'transgender' after social media users circulated a photo of an official document stating his name as an ambassador of the Yemen Youth Government to the Arab League.

Translation: "Can you believe that this is an ambassador of the legitimate government? His name is Mohanad Al-Rudaini and he receives a $4000 salary."

Social media commentators strongly attacked Al-Rudaini and condemned him for allegedly being 'gay' and 'trans', even though the young singer has never spoken openly about his sexual identity.

Speaking to Al Bawaba, Al-Rudaini said he doesn't identify as a transsexual, at least not at the moment, but people usually assume that he is gay and attack him accordingly.

Online people shared a photo of the document linking it to the Yemen Youth Government with the Saudi-backed official government, adding that Al-Rudaini "receives a monthly salary of $4000." 

Social media users seem to have confused The Yemen Youth Government, which is an independent shadow cabinet established in 2013, with the actual Yemeni government.

Translation: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supports you and you waste the money giving it to homosexuals. Mohanad Al-Rudaini's salary reaches $4000 and he's appointed as a youth ambassador to the Arab League and Lebanon..."

In July 2018, Al-Rudaini was appointed by the civil organization as an ambassador to the Arab League. According to his video in January 2019, the young singer explained that his volunteer work with the Youth Government has been totally unpaid.

In his conversation with Al Bawaba, Al-Rudaini emphasized that he never received any money for his position.

In a video posted over a year ago, Al-Rudaini explains that he is studying music in Cairo and that he is training to become a make-up artist, denying having undergone sex-reassignment surgeries, but without providing more details about his sexual identity. In his profiles on Facebook and Twitter, he still refers to himself as a male.

Following the strong online reaction, 17-year-old Yemeni women's rights activist Nada Al-Ahdal expressed her support for Mohanad Al-Rudaini in a Facebook live video, calling on Yemenis to be more understanding and accepting of others' differences. 

Translation: "This is not an ambassador, he is a poor gay young guy who never harmed any of you and was never involved in politics. Why do you have all this hate towards him?"

Translation: "Maybe he's better than the others"

Translation: Mohanad Al-Rudaini is not the only case in the world for you to make a big deal out of. If you search the internet you'll find tens of millions like him. Leave him alone and deal with the Houthis. They're the real criminals who cause harm to Yemen."