AMMAN, Jordan — US Ambassador to Jordan Alice G. Wells' recent attendance at an LGBT event has sparked outrage here. About 40 people gathered in central Amman to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Organized by My Kali Magazine and LGBT activists, participants got together to raise awareness of the social and economic challenges facing the LGBT community, and some Western diplomats joined them.

Wells’ attendance provoked a harsh response from Jordanians when the mid-May event became public several days later. The Islamic Action Front, the political wing of the Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan, issued a statement condemning the session. “We in the Islamic Action Front emphasize that such meetings are a form of corruption and deviation,” it said. “These meetings threaten the security and stability of the country, spreading the taboo and immorality in this conservative society and are also contrary to the constitution.”

Criticism spread across much of the Jordanian media. Omar Kallab attacked Wells’ visit in one of Jordan’s largest newspapers, Ad-Dustour, which generally toes the pro-government line. Kallab said this was a sign of US and Israeli attempts to sabotage the culture of Islamic and Arab societies.

In an op-ed in Ammon News, Abdelrahman Altakhaineh recommended ways to “treat” gays while referencing the biblical story of Sodom. “Perhaps a medical approach could be utilized in this situation to bring hormone levels into balance with the intention of settling their behavior,” Altakhaineh stated.