Another exclusive interview: Bi-Lesbian Omani 'Scudder' from Community Queer

In the second part of our little mini-series on the Omani Gay scene, Muscat Confidential is proud to have been given an exclusive interview with local blogger Scudder, from Community Queer. She is a bisexual, but prefers women. She is also Omani.

(Part One can be found here by the way: Interview with An English Gentleman)


Photo: There are just as many Bi-Women and Lesbians in Oman as anywhere else. No matter what many people might want to believe.



Personally, I've always found it to be a tribute to the incredible power of hormones that there any women at all who are actually interested in men. Shallow and stereotypical it may be on my part, but I've always figured that if I had been born a woman, I would definitely prefer to have been also born a lesbian. Women are, in my experience, generally harder working, more balanced, more loving, more generous, smarter and (it seems almost too obvious to say), tend to look much better naked.

Scudder agreed to share with us her observations, experiences and advice on being bisexual in the Sultanate of Oman. Note, "Finn" is her male (and queer) co-blogger at Community Queer.

Muscat Confidential: Thank you for speaking to us Scudder. First of all, how big is the gay scene in Oman? Is it just in Muscat, or is there an active scene in say, Nizwa or Salalah?

Scudder: That's the thing. There is definitely a gay scene in Muscat, and undoubtedly in Salalah and Nizwah as well, but it is so hush-hush between those involved that you cannot determine the exact numbers. There are small gatherings here and there, and certain places here in Muscat are popularly known for their once-a-week 'gay' gatherings. It's mostly word of mouth stuff… Finn and I have each other, but entrenched in conservative society, it's almost impossible for a true community to form. We started our blog hoping to create a way of truly connecting with Omani gay youth.


MC: How do you get dates? Given the attitude to homosexuality in Oman, it must be pretty tense trying to figure out if the person you're keen on is amenable to a proposition!

Scudder: Haha, dates. That's a sad topic. As the female half of Community Queer, I can say with some certainty that it's easier for me to get dates with women than it is for Finn to get dates with men. There are many girls I've met, Arab and well-educated, who have been more open about their 'unconventional' desires. At the same time, in terms of getting a date, it's no where near as easy as heterosexual dating probably is. Being as closeted as we are, our feelings for others are often in the closet with us, things we cannot openly share with those we want to connect with. Honestly, there are a lot of women around here confused about their sexuality, especially among teenagers. Sexual experimentation is not a myth in that respect …I think it just takes honesty with yourself and your closest friends. Tell people (but make sure they aren't CID and/or narrow-minded). Muscat is small and a friend (granted a tolerant, accepting one) could be connected to someone else who is gay or bi or lesbian. And they could know others…



MC: Do you know of anyone who has come out to their family in Oman? If so, how did it work out? Would you ever consider coming out?

Scudder: No. Things like that are really not spoken of around here. I could never come out to my family. My mother might understand, but the rest of my family would probably have me stoned to death.



MC: What is the attitude of the ROP? Are they 'actively' seeking out homosexual activity, or ignoring it, or even consciously turning a blind eye? Is it easier for lesbians and bi-females than for male gays?

Scudder: Homosexuality is illegal in Oman. I have heard stories about police seeking out popular places where gays gather and jailing them, but I'm unsure of the real truth behind these stories. I know if any activity is caught in public, even behind tinted car windows, that's definite jail time. As much as possible, I think the ROP is making efforts to seek out homosexual activity, especially if it were flamboyantly displayed. They probably don't care too much about foreign homosexuals, but if they knew Omanis were gay...



MC: Have you ever been subjected to harassment for your sexual orientation, or subjected to threats? In Iran and Iraq (and unfortunately many other places) we read of vigilante gangs murdering homosexuals. Is this a problem in Oman?

Scudder: Just the typical ignoramuses with ugly words at the tip of their tongue, the sort of people who make assumptions based on your clothing choices. It's surprising how many shallow, thoughtless people are around. Since no one is openly gay, many are saved from such murders as in Iran and Iraq.



MC: Do you think that homosexuality will ever be decriminalised in Oman?

Scudder: Not in this kind of ignorance-fuelled lifetime. We can do what we can with the words we have in the hopes that people can find empathy and understanding in their hearts. But in a country that stands on religious foundations, it is unlikely that it will be decriminalized any time soon. All I hope for is a change of mentality from complete denial/disgust to at least tolerance… I think I have enough faith in Oman for at least that.



MC: There are a lot of 'body building' mags on sale in Oman. Are body building and gyms a common cover for homosexuality? Specifically, are the Rock Bottom bouncers gay? (I probably won't be able to publish the answer to that one, but still curious...)

Scudder: Hahaha. Honestly, I've never thought about the Rock Bottom bouncers being gay. They are HUGE, but they get paid for their girth. Sorry. Dirty pun haha. I guess there is the stereotype that those who pay more attention to their looks are probably gay, but in this case I really have no idea.



MC: I guess Finn would be better at handling that question! OK. Where is the region's most gay friendly city?

Scudder: I'm not sure. I think Lebanon is the only country in the region with official gay bars. I remember an aunt of mine saying that homosexuality is most prevalent here in Oman which brought it to the rest of the Middle East (in a disdainful tone of voice). Obviously, we don't know the exact numbers. Homosexuality in Oman, from what you hear, is not pretty. There are many married men who reject the idea of being a 'homosexual', yet participate in 'homosexual activity', because somehow that doesn't make them 'homosexual'. That's why taxi drivers think it's okay to stick their hand down passenger's pants. You're only homosexual when you have romantic feelings for your sex object which is a sickening perpetuation of denial and ignorance.



MC: What would be your advice to a young person in Oman who thinks they're gay, or bi? What should they do? I would imagine - as in the west - growing up gay in a small village must be very lonely and worrying.

Scudder: Be honest with yourself, though I know from experience that it seems like the easiest thing to do is stifle who you are inside. No one around you needs to know, but YOU need to know YOURSELF. It feels like you're alone, like what you're going through is the worst thing. But, cliché aside, you have to embrace the beauty of who you are. Read, listen to music, marvel at art – realize that some of the greatest artists and thinkers have been homosexual. Embrace that.



MC: How do you avoid getting set up in a straight marriage? It's commonly gossiped that many gay guys (and girls I guess) just get married to get it over with.

Scudder: Get good grades and flee the country. Study for as long as you can. Come visit once in a while, but make your home elsewhere. If it's marriage you are escaping, you have to be far, far away. As a female, I will never reach the age where my family will stop pestering me to marry a man, which is a possibility, though an unlikely one. Hence, my life devoted to academia. It is expected, no, required, of men and women to marry and have children. Marriage is the priority. Love is often a bonus… you hear all these stories about gay men and women marrying to shut their families up, then searching for alternative outlets for their sexual desire… It's incredible, the kind of underground drama going on behind the veil of the 'Perfect Arab Family.'



MC: Again, thanks for sharing with Muscat Confidential and my readers. And good luck with the blog, especially now you've been through the blocked/unblocked drama!

Scudder: Thanks!

Anyone - straight, gay or bi - having sex is strongly advised to read about protecting yourself and your partner(s) from harm, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. See Wikipedia - Safer Sex.

And anyone looking for 'straight' answers about real sex and sexuality from a fantastic gay Agony Aunt can do no better than columnist Dan Savage. Recommended reading if you're over 18. Note, this week's column is an absolute classic.

Exclusive Interview: Being Gay in The Sultanate of Oman from the POV of An English Gentleman. And advice for visitors who are FOD.

After the recent blocking and unblocking by Omantel of local blog Community Queer last week, the topic of homosexuality in our little corner of the Middle East has been in the news of late, with attention from both sympathisers and, to be fair, a lot of people extremely opposed to even the idea of homosexuality.

Yet Muscat Confidential has always received a lot of search hits and emails from people asking about homosexuality in Oman; Gay people thinking about coming here as residents or as tourists, or Omanis searching for gay hook-ups and somehow stumbling across Muscat Confidential.

Unfortunately, I’ve never really been able to answer their questions about what it’s like to be gay or a gay foreigner in Muscat, as I am heterosexual. This is not really an ‘open invitation’ situation in almost any country, and certainly not in Oman. Practicing homosexuality is illegal in Oman, and is against the instructions of pretty much all religions, including Islam. So information about homosexuality in Oman is pretty thin on the ground. I doubt we’ll be seeing any articles in the press about it either!

Making this aspect of human behaviour illegal does not stop people being born with a sexual attraction to the same gender however. And that includes Omanis, and our visitors from overseas.

Muscat Confidential is therefore proud to bring you an exclusive interview with someone who can give us some insights into the gay scene in The Sultanate. You will not be surprised to know that our correspondent chose to remain anonymous. You’ll have to take my word for it that he is a reliable and trustworthy source of information. That he is also extremely articulate, intelligent and refreshingly honest you will be able to discern for yourself.

The interview took place on a good friends’ extremely large yacht, over a glass of perfectly chilled Bollinger served by discrete staff in crisp whites, as the sun was setting over the beautiful islets of Bandar Khairan**.

Photo: Bandar Khiaran, near Muscat Oman, one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

As the languid waters of the bay lapped against the side of the boat and Ms Dragon entertained herself with a novel sunbathing by the side of the pool, Undercover Dragon talked to our inside man, who we’ll call “The English Gentleman”.

Here’s what he had to say…

Muscat Confidential: Thank you for taking the time to share with my readers what it’s like to be living a gay lifestyle in The Sultanate of Oman. There's not really a lot of information out there.

The English Gentleman: Thanks for asking me about the experience of being a gay foreigner in Oman. I’m happy to pass on what I know, both for others thinking of living here and for those considering a visit. I should preface what follows by saying I’m talking entirely about men (I’m sure there are Omani lesbians, but I don’t have enough experience to talk with any knowledge), and as someone well past my ‘party years’, with a steady partner. I’ve lived a pretty quiet life here for the past six years.


MC: So – is there an Omani gay community?

TEG: First of all, I think you have to separate men in Oman who actively identify themselves as “gay” and men who are simply having sex with men. The first group is probably pretty small, and what we in the West think of as a “gay community” comes down to some fairly small groups of men, mostly in and around Muscat – more a set of sometimes intersecting sets of friends. To my knowledge, there are no formally organized LGBT groups (although times are changing, and who knows what some enterprising group of students might be up to), and there are no full-time, openly identified gay bars/restaurants/hangouts.

On the other hand, the second group [UD: e.g. men who like to have sex with men but don’t identify as being homosexual] seems to be pretty large, and there does seem to be a certain amount of (unspoken) consent within traditional society about male-male sex. Given the very limited mixing of the sexes, especially for young men, I guess that’s not surprising (teacher friends have told some very interesting stories about things they observe in their students – and this does seem to be one area in which the girls are keeping up). And then, too, there is a really interesting subculture of transvestism and gender-fluidity that doesn’t seem to have been studied too much (Wikipedia has an article on it – Khanith). I’ve been in a couple of traditional local bars at which groups of men in full makeup and partial or even full drag have shown up, and it’s seemed to be something that, at least in that context, is taken pretty matter-of-factly.

In recent years, we’ve met more and more Omanis who do actively identify as gay. Like many in the Arab world, most are very closeted, and many if not most end up married and living, sometimes very happily, what would seem to a Westerner like a double life: wife, kids, and family on one hand, and a social/sexual life with other men on the other. We do have some more “out” Omani friends, including one or two who’ve raised the issue with parents or siblings; they’re from more sophisticated families, and their experiences have been fair to very good.

Some have had experiences, personally and with family and friends, that reminds me of Western friends from very religious/conservative backgrounds. They’re conflicted by what they think their religion tells them and what they feel, and they got real problems about being both gay and religious. Some find their own way and stay quite devout, but many have more or less left religion behind and wish that their culture would open up and acknowledge that there have always been gay people here and let them find a more open place in the society. In a sense, it’s like local attitudes to alcohol – lots and lots of Omanis drink, but it’s still pretty totally taboo.


MC: Where do Gay men meet?

TEG: It’s not an exaggeration to say: everywhere. There might be some better known cruising spots, and as anywhere else in the world, bars are big (try the big hotels), but I’ve heard tales of foreign men meeting Omanis at malls, on the beach, and even in business settings. Omanis, from what friends tell me, often first meet online – the Internet is very, very important in the Arab gay community more widely, and Oman is no exception. I find it interesting that sites that Westerners think of as being entirely for hooking up for anonymous sex, Arabs are using to create online communities, of which sex is just a part along with longer-term friendships and the creation of networks of friends.


MC: Is Oman becoming a gay tourist destination?

TEG:That’s probably overselling it, but my friends and I agree that we seem to be seeing more identifiably gay tourists around. We had dinner at a very fancy hotel restaurant last fall, and it felt like it was us and about ten European gay couples. It makes sense – the country has beautiful beaches, an increasing number of “destination” resorts, and it’s being marketed as a hot new place to visit. Face it – if it’s going to become trendy, it’s the gays who will get here first, so it’s actually a positive sign for local tourism that they’re showing up!


MC: Would you recommend Oman as a place for gay men to come to?

TEG: It really depends what people are looking for. If one want lots of night life and a Mykonos/Fire Island kind of vacation, definitely not.

On the other hand, it’s a great place for people who want to see a traditional Arabic culture in a place with all the mod cons. I will say it’s an incredibly safe destination, on the whole – you’re not likely to run into the kind of predatory gigolos you might find in Morocco, Beirut, or Dubai. Omanis, straight or gay, are great hosts. Probably the best way to settle in, at least in the cooler months, is to find a nice beachside coffee shop, look open to conversation, and see what happens. One cultural stereotype that does kind of play into gay tourists’ favor is that some (many? Most?) Omani men seem to believe that all Western men are gay.

Some of my Omani friends actively look for foreign visitors, either online or at various touristy places, and some of them you’d probably think were gay (fit, Western dress, etc.). At the same time, I’ve had foreign friends visit who were genuinely shocked to be approached, sometimes very directly, by what they saw as very conservative, even slightly intimidating types (right down to the short dishdasha and long beard).


MC: Are there tourists coming here just for sex?

TEG: It does play a role, but I don’t see Oman turning into Thailand West; people come here because of perfect weather and an exotic, traditional, but generally tolerant, culture. That they might meet up with a local man or two is more of an added bonus, if it’s part of the equation at all. Most I’ve met have just been gay versions of the tourists Oman is marketing to: affluent, somewhat older, and cosmopolitan. That said, I’ve met a few, mostly pretty creepy, European guys who are just here to get under the dishdasha. But that happens in a lot of places, in the Middle East and elsewhere.


MC: What about arrests, hassles, or other pitfalls?

TEG: I honestly don’t think it’s something that the police get involved in. You can’t go around too flamboyantly, but that applies just as much to straight people. I had a slightly tipsy out-of-town acquaintance hit on a guy in a bar who turned out to be security, and he was firm but professional (“go home, now,” which was actually good advice). If you’re respectful, not running around in ridiculous clothes, and don’t go around just leaping on local men, you should be fine. Visiting friends have had Omani men visit them in their hotel rooms (something almost impossible in some parts of the region), and nobody I know has been scammed, blackmailed, or otherwise gotten into trouble.

Of course, Oman is still part of the real world, and I wouldn’t advise running off with someone who sent you a nice message on Manhunt or whatever without meeting up in public, making sure someone knows what you’re up to, etc.


MC: And what about living in Oman, long term?

TEG: Gay, straight, or anything else, you need to have a high tolerance for quiet – Muscat is a very nice city, and there are more and more places to eat, better shopping etc., but it’s still pretty provincial. The Symphony plays a few times a season, there might be a good film (censored) once or twice a month, we pop out to the pub occasionally, and that’s about it. We love our live here, but it’s what we’ve made it. Life outside the capital would be far more challenging on all fronts – I’ve known teachers in the interior who go pretty stir-crazy, or who spend most of their free time coming and going from Muscat.

But – and it’s a remarkable thing – I can honestly say I’ve never had a moment’s discomfort or unpleasantness about being gay in Oman. I work with both Omanis and foreigners, and I think most of my Omani colleagues understand our situation. I have one very traditional, conservative co-worker, and she’s very fond of my partner and always asks about him if he doesn’t drop by the office now and then. I don’t know what they say when I’m not around, of course, but I’ve felt less comfortable in a lot of places. You have to be thoughtful, and discreet, but it’s quite possible to live very comfortably here.


MC: What is your circle of friends like? What is your social life like?

TEG: We’re pretty varied – Omani, Western and Arab expats. My partner and I have learned enough Arabic to get by, so we tend to have United Nations sort of parties. One thing I really like about our friends here is how mixed we are – old and young, elite and not, thin, fat, tall, short, you name it. Probably most of the “out” people here are expat, with Westerners living pretty much as they would anywhere, along with expat Arabs from all over the Middle East, but (and I suspect this is as much about their home country culture as anything) with Lebanese predominating. I know comparatively few out Indian men given the size of their expat population, but that might be a class thing or might just be the reluctance of Arabs and Indians to socialise (meaning I’m not meeting them through my local contacts).

Our social life is far more diverse than most settings here, which I think is one of the things that our Omani friends like (they complain that Omanis only meet each other at family gatherings, on Eid visits, etc). Personally, I’ve always been impressed at how welcoming Arab gay men are, how comparatively un-obsessed with youth and beauty the way some Westerners can be. My friends are more likely to praise somebody by saying “he has a white heart” (qalbu ubyud) than “he’s hot.” That said, I have to admit: we have a lot of hot friends.

We have a lot of fun – we have house parties, we go out to coffee shops, and we do a lot of tour-guiding for visiting friends and friends-of-friends.

Once in a while I do miss living someplace like San Francisco, Sydney, or Amsterdam, where we could be wild and crazy and totally out. But then I think about how much I like our flat here, and how beautiful the average winter weekend is, and how little I miss the stress and pressure of big city life, and Oman seems pretty good. When you get too bored, Dubai’s a short drive away, and after a couple of days there I’m usually ready to come home.


MC: Thanks for the interview. I learnt a lot. I think people will be very interested in what you’ve shared. More champagne?

TEG: Jolly good idea!

**Not really, there was no yacht, obviously. I just made that part up. As you know, the Dragon doesn’t do meetings. But it just seemed to happen that way in my head. The interview was conducted by email.


Anyone - straight, gay or bi - having sex is strongly advised to read about protecting yourself and your partner(s) from harm, sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. See Wikipedia - Safer Sex.

Stop Press: New Omani Blog Community Queer blocked by ... Omantel

Update: 15 Feb.
Community Queer is now magically unblocked! Perhaps 'someone wearing a tie' got involved... And as Abdullah pointed out, Community Queer got a lot of free advertising and now undoubtably more popular than ever. So try to take advantage of the opportunity Scudder and Finns.

Photo: Unaccountable employees of a private company decide what you can see on the internet in Oman. And if they want to block harmless blogs by local Omanis, they can.


Well, how spookily coincidental, following a mini-post on Freedom of Expression in Oman. The arbitrary and almost absolute powers over our internet access, wielded by the faceless technocrats at a publicly traded company - Omantel - have decided to block a promising local blog called Community Queer.

Shame on you Omantel. Shame on you TRA.

Community Queer is authored by 2 Omani homosexuals (OK, one is bi-sexual). This in itself was unique and encouraging. The blog was totally innocuous.

Here's their header and info.

COMMUNITY QUEER IS COMPOSED OF TWO MEMBERS OF THE ARAB YOUTH WITH HOMOSEXUAL TENDENCIES. HAVING FOUND EACH OTHER IN THIS CLOSETED REGION OF THE WORLD, WE'VE DECIDED TO MAINTAIN THIS BLOG AS OUR LETTER TO THE WORLD, TO THE LOST YOUTH. IT IS A DECLARATION OF OUR EXISTENCE AND AN APPEAL FOR TOLERANCE, ACCEPTANCE, AND OPEN DISCUSSION. IT IS A MESSAGE TO YOUNG PEOPLE EVERYWHERE THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE. OK, PRETENTIOUSNESS OVER. UM... BOOBS.


ABOUT US

COMMUNITYQUEER
MUSCAT, OMAN
The members of Community Queer will hereby be known as Scudder and Finn. Scudder is a famously closeted and sexually inclined female of the lesbian variety. She likes boys too, when they look like girls (I guess she's bisexual, but whatever, right?). She enjoys classical music, quality books, and the colors purple, yellow, and green! Finn is the male half of the Queer duo. He likes boys. A lot. He likes girls too, but only if their clothes are on. Along with boys, Finn enjoys music, books, and throwing dirt at people.

So, who is it that decides these things on our behalf? Who are these people who decide, without review, without published guidelines, to impose arbitrary censorship on the entire country? George Orwell would be proud. This is fascism folks.

I wouldn't care so much if it was just for Omantel customers. But these people have monopoly control over access to the entire internet for the entire country, no matter what service provider.

So, people. Send Omantel an email asking them to unblock their site. (just try to follow the link on the blogroll on the right and you'll be offered an opportunity to send a message to the censors).

You can also refer to an old post here on the expert solutions to circumventing such low tech internet filters. You can even use Google as your proxy. I'll up date the blogroll link to do that for you automatically soon.

UPDATE: Done. See the last link or click here to tunnel around the basic Omantel censor if you are in Oman. Isn't Google so neat?

I also trust this will be perhaps picked up by the international media. Who knows what stories they'll decide to tag the story with, in a search for ironic local context?

Well done faceless idiot in Omantel!!! [just a hint, Omantel filter manager troll, you've probably got about, oh, maybe 1 day before you might find yourself really really regretting such a stupid thing as blocking this site and bringing the world's attention to this article). Think about it, you dimwit.... got it? Maybe ask someone wearing a tie.

It's not like the block is even effective against an average 9 year old.

Californians vote to deny Gay Marriage

In a pretty shocking side-bar to the US Elections, Californians voted in support (just - 52% to 48%) of the so-called "Proposition 8", to restrict Marriage to be between a Man and woman. Same thing happened in Florida and Arizona. The Mormon 'Church' apparently spent $20 million campaigning to get Prop 8 passed. I think it's a great shame that this ballot initiative passed. There is still a chance that the vote will be overturned on constitutional grounds, as the ACLU have filed an appeal challenging the legality of the measure.

But at a time when 1 huge step against prejudice has been made there, by America voting in Obama, there are still huge forces of bigotry and prejudice out there.

See CNN Election Results summary

Proposition 8: This measure would amend the state constitution to specify that only marriages between one man and one woman would be recognized as valid in the state. If passed, the measure would trump a May 2008 ruling by the California Supreme Court that legalized same-sex marriage.

I wonder how Omani homosexuals feel about living here? Do they want to leave asap and head for greener pastures, like Holland, London, Manila or San Francisco? The chances of homosexuality simply being made legal in Oman, let alone getting equal rights or even the right to marry, is almost impossible to contemplate.

For a small sample measure of how good Obama is, see his response to the Gay activists on this politically extremely sensitive issue.

What a star.

No gays please - we're Bahrain and we're straight.

Following on from the post on 'No sex please', the Gulf News reported today that the Islamo-wackos in Bahrain are now calling for a ban on homosexuals entering the country and leading astray the delicate youth of Bahrain. They want the Government to 'stamp out' homosexuality and for the security services to be 'more vigilant' to stop foreign gays entering the country. They are worried their gayness is spreading to the local population, who are then having lots of gay sex and even worse, dressing fashionably and stylishly, neither of which would happen if only the security forces would act as all Bahraini boys are born straight, obviously.

How bizarre. It makes you wonder if these guys ever think about things at all. I'm trying to imagine the scene at the immigration desk...

>>>>
Bahraini Immigration Officer: Welcome to Bahrain, where everyone is straight or they get a good beating. So, you are man, yes?
Tourist: Er, yes sweetie. What nice eyes you have.

Bahraini Immigration Officer: And who is this man there? Your brother? Your Cousin?
Tourist: Oh, we're just friends. We're here for a holiday for the F1 race. We've got a double room at the hotel.

Bahraini Immigration Officer: You are married?
Tourist: No. Could just never find the right girl, you know?

Bahraini Immigration Officer: Are you a homosexual? Are you Filipino?
Tourist: Me? Er... No.... I'm British.

Bahraini Immigration Officer: Really. But why you are looking like a pansy big girl's blouse!? You are having highlights and too too much jewelery. And you are walking funny and having a girly voice. Are you sure you are not a biter of pillows or a lifter of shirts, coming here to pervert the innocent and totally straight young Bahraini boys?
Tourist: I'm sure.

Bahraini Immigration Officer: Is that a piercing!?!?! I think you are like the gay poofter people I see on satellite TV who are very funny. You are like my little cousin Said who we don't talk about, who keeps wanting to be hairdresser and playing with the flower arranging.
Tourist: Oh, OK. You're right. We thought we could fool you. Quintin, the pink Dolce & Gabanna shirt was a giveaway, didn't I tell you!

Bahraini Immigration Officer: Next!
Oh it is you Mr. Michael Jackson! Welcome back to Bahrain! Welcome! Oh, and thank you for taking my cousin Said for a sleepover party to your villa last time. He said he had a wonderful time.... Enjoy your stay!
>>>>>

Like what the Middle East needs is more hate and decisions based on religion.

Call to ban gays from entering Bahrain
By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
Published: October 27, 2008
Manama: Two Islamist MPs have renewed calls to ban homosexuals from entering Bahrain, warning that their presence in the country would "lead to social and moral depravation."

"The interior ministry has to act swiftly and promptly to stamp out homosexuals in Bahrain since the procrastination of the issue would intensify the problem," Abdul Hamid Murad, representing Islamic Menbar Society, said.

"They can be seen in many areas in Bahrain, but their presence in Manama, the capital, is very noticeable," he claimed.

According to the MP whose bloc commands six of the 40 seats in the lower house of the parliament, homosexuals were having "a negative influence" on the Bahraini youth.

"Bahrain already has enough social problems, such as the use of drugs, so allowing foreign gays into the country would compound the situation. The real tragedy is that many young Bahrainis have started imitating the style of the homosexuals by, for instance, wearing indecent clothes," he said.

The MP said that the security authorities should be more vigilant in deciding who can enter the country, claiming that they had a duty to preserve Islamic ethics.

But for MP Mohammad Khalid, the authorities should address the issue as "a tragic development that needs immediate and robust tackling."

Of course, this isn't new in Bahrain. Islamic parties have previously called for action against homosexuals, and apparently 2000 Filipino hairdressers were deported in 2002.

The Al Menbar bloc, not content that the penalty of fines, imprisonment or deportation acts as a sufficient deterrent, called on tougher measures to “stamp out homosexuality”.
The proposal - ratified by parliament - called on:
The Interior Ministry to stop granting residence permits to foreign homosexuals.
The Education Ministry to monitor students, and punishing those who veered towards homosexuality.
The Industry and Commerce Ministry to monitor massage and hair salons to ensure that they have no closed rooms and that violators be prosecuted.

See Pink News UK and MidEast Youth

A set of proposals approved by Bahrain's parliament targeting homosexual activity in the country should be implemented, according to a politician in the Gulf state.

Brotherhood MP Shaikh Mohammed Khalid Mohammed wants the government to begin a number of initiatives designed to rid the country of gay people.

In April parliament demanded that the Interior Ministry stop granting any residence permits to foreign homosexuals.
....
The ministers have called for homosexuals to be 'rooted out' of hair salons and massage parlours. The proposals will see teachers on the look out for homosexual tendencies in children and 'punishing them accordingly.'

Homosexuality has been considered illegal in Bahrain since 1956 when, as part of the British Empire, it was given the Indian Penal Code.Homosexuals can be given up to 10 years in prison though this is rarely put into practice.

In 2002 the government deported 2,000 allegedly gay Filipino workers for homosexual activity and prostitution.