By way of introduction to this version of gay Israel the story starts with a commentary on WorldPride held in Jerusalem August 2006 during the war with Hezbollah. It speaks to the difficulties that the Pride hosts encountered and the layers of conflict that seem indelible in Israeli culture today. This story goes beyond WorldPride
Coming Out: A Gay Kuwaiti’s Experience
Introduction by Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com Photos, News & Reports for Gay Kuwait Cultural changes come about very slowly for gays in the Muslim Middle East. This story appeared several years ago in the Kuwait News; it is an unusual story since homosexuality is rarely discussed publicly, let alone published in a newspaper. (However this is
Lebanese Lesbian Speaks Out
Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com August 15, 2009 Regarding the point made in the previous blog post about the New York Times story on party-time gay males in Lebanon, a more realistic portrait of gay Lebanon was drawn by a lesbian in the book ‘Bareed Mistas3jil’ published by Meem . (2009; P43) I think this worried description
On Bahrain, Freedom, Revolution and LGBT Rights
An Interview with Jasmin – a Shi’a and Gay Man An extended and updated version of an interview done on GayCityNews by Dan Littauer Gay Middle East.com Editor April 4, 2011 As the tiny Persian Gulf archipelago kingdom of Bahrain enters its second month of widespread protests — with clashes on March 13 resulting in
Gay Life in Syria: Changing Realities
Introduction A recent report from the website GayMiddle East offers an update about “Gay Life in Syria”, somewhat positive but with ever-present changes in the political milieu that has historically repressed gay citizens. Privately, however, this hidden population adapts to the changes and continues on with life in the closet even as there are improved
A Return to Baghdad (Part 1) 2010
First in a Four-Part Series From: Gay City News, New York By Michael T. Luongo September 15, 2010 What had only been lines on a map, forbidden and dangerous, were places that had come alive, places that I could now see with my own eyes. I was in Baghdad in mid-2009 for my second time.
Gay Death and Gay Life (Part 2)
Second in a Four-Part Series From: Gay City News, New York By Michael T. Luongo September 29, 2010 There were bullet holes across his chest when I found him in the room. They were merely a decoration on his black T-shirt, tight against his broad shoulders and puffy biceps. He reminded me of a “Sopranos”
Double Lives Gays Lead in Baghdad (Part 3)
Third in a Four-Part Series From: Gay City News, New York By Michael T. Luongo September 29, 2010 Hassan mistakenly thought I had a sexual fetish about Saddam Hussein. I made an offhand comment about Iraqi policemen’s 1970s San Francisco clone moustaches — the kind sported by the dictator. Hassan held one hand up high,
Gay Baghdad–Final Thoughts and a Call to Action (Part 4)
Final In a Four-Part Series From: Gay City News, New York By Michael T. Luongo October 15, 2010 “I push for this because of who I am. This hits me harder,” my friend from the US Embassy in Baghdad said about why the gay killings have so moved him, why he reached out to
Death for Gays in Iran Creates Underground Railway
By Arsham Parsi Executive Director Iranian Railroad for Queer Refugees (IRQR) www.irq.net Iranian queers have well-founded fears of persecution based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. The Penal Code of the Islamic Republic of Iran, permits the punishment of queer people by lashing, hanging, stoning, cutting in half by a sword, or dropping from
Gay Jordan 2010
Intro: There’s not much information or insight into gay Jordan on the Internet despite the country being a moderate Muslim country where homosexuality is not vehemently persecuted. After a week-long visit to Amman, the capital, there was more understanding of the scene, but not much is observable. Two interviews with native gay Jordanians and a
Gay Life in Lebanon: Bounce Back Beirut
Intro: An intrepid Dutch reporter ventures into the mixed-message country of Lebanon to experience the glitter and fears of gay life in Beirut. During his visit he discovers the fashionable avenues of Gemmayzeh and the tense streets of Dahiyeh (controlled by Hezbollah) yet finding gay life in both. The conclusion is that LGBT life is not widespread or publicly celebrated but is progressing and tolerated thanks to courageous club owners and Helem human rights group.
Arab Homophobia, Poverty, Religion and Forbidden Sex
Westhampton, MA – October 18, 2009 Richard Ammon – GlobalGayz.com According to a new UN report presented in Tunis, Tunisia, on October 20th, Tunisia, Libya and United Arab Emirates are the only 3 Arab nations where famine has been eradicated. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations conducted the survey of 17 Arab
Jordanian Publisher Puts Muslim Gays at Risk with Botched Book Title Translation
Westhampton, MA – July 12, 2009 Richard Ammon, GlobalGayz.com Gay Muslim book translates into possible trouble. GlobalGayz protests “perverted” book title used for Arab translation of book about gay Muslims Today’s New York Post carried the following story about the newly published book Gay Travels in the Muslim World. The book is a collection of
Observations of Gay Jordan 2008
Contributed by a reader living in Amman Fall 2008 Jordan is a complex and fascinating – but ultimately depressing – place to explore how same-sex relationships are playing out in the Arab and Muslim world. To the traveler, Jordan, and particularly the capital Amman, can appear as a modern, open country where men and women
Gay Jordan 2004
Intro: There’s not much insight into gay Jordan on the Internet despite the country being a moderate Muslim country where homosexuality is not vehemently persecuted. Below are some commentaries from members of MiddleEast.com expressing their ideas and opinions about life in Jordan for gay people today.
Gay Syria 2004 – Personal Stories
Introduction A guest writer, a native Syrian man, tells his secret of self-discovery in a very secretive culture. He ponders why Syria has little understanding about homosexuality. This is followed by a very different narrative by a gay American visitor about his steamy night in a bath house in Damascus. He finds “Gay Syria” an
Iran – Photos from Mehdi
This gallery displays the photography of Mehdi, a native Iranian who has traveled throughout his country taking scenic and human images of natural beauty. Read story about gay Iran
Gay Iraq Interview 2007
This 3-part story offers a raw-faced portrait of a nation in the throes of a military war, religious sectarian battles and social upheaval. Nearly 10% of the population have been dislocated and tens of thousands have be killed since the ‘American War’ started in 2003 (and countless more under the Saddam regime.) Needless to say
Israel – Tel Aviv & North
The modern state of Israel has its roots in the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael), a concept central to Judaism for over 3000 years. After World War I, the League of Nations approved the British Mandate of Palestine with the intent of creating a "national home for the Jewish people." In 1947, the United Nations
Israel – Jerusalem & Central
The modern state of Israel has its roots in the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael), a concept central to Judaism for over 3000 years. After World War I, the League of Nations approved the British Mandate of Palestine with the intent of creating a "national home for the Jewish people." In 1947, the United Nations
Israel – Jerusalem (2006)
Jerusalem downtown–old and new–is like a museum of history. The beautiful limestone buildings and classic architecture create a visually rewarding backdrop to one’s personal imaginings about the sacred and profane acts that happened here. It’s a city of great contrasts, with orthodox Jews, secular gays, conservative Muslims, tourists and Zionist Christian pilgrims wandering the streets
Israel – Tel Aviv 1
Even during the July 2005 war with Hezbollah in Jordan, the beaches were busy with sun-seekers.. Tel Aviv has miles of white sand beaches that attract tens of thousands of Europeans, especially French, in the summer. A mere war didn’t seem sufficient reason to stay away, as the photos indicate. In the mosaic of beach-bums
Israel – Jerusalem Separation Wall
A tour of Jerusalem’s ‘dark side’ was offered free of charge by Amos Gil, chairman of Ir Amim a non-partisan advisory and monitoring organization in Jerusalem that observes and analyses military, political and social events including the construction of the separation wall, begun in 2004. For five disturbing hours, by bus and on foot, we
Israel – Tel Aviv 2
If you want to find the Israel that many gay and lesbian citizens know, go for a stroll along Tel Aviv’s Rothschild Boulevard on any day of the week. You won’t find a gay parade there or the gay center. What you will see are numerous blue and white Israel flags hanging from balconies of