Middle eastern gay men
15 LGBT Arabs who are getting media attention
These individuals hold come out publicly in a courageous effort to convert the narrative.
If one thing can be said about LGBT individuals in the Arab world is that they certainly execute not have it easy. They encounter oppression, harassment, society's judgment and a wide array of discriminatory laws.
In many Arab countries, engaging in same-sex relationships can subject one to imprisonment. In more severe cases, they are faced with the death penalty.
Despite the obstacles, there are a number of LGBT Arabs who acquire come out publicly in a courageous effort to change the narrative.
Lebanese-American actor Haaz Sleiman came out publicly as gay in a viral social media post earlier this year.
Sharing a video via his official social media channels, the luminary of NurseJackie and The Visitor boldly said:
“I am a homosexual Muslim Arab American man ... Not only am I gay, but I’m also a bottom,” Sleiman said. “Not only am I a bottom, but I’m also a total bottom, which means I like it up you understand where,” he added.
Born and raised in Lebanon before m
19/07/2023
Written by Zineb Khelif
Translated by Bertille Fitamant
If homosexuality remains a taboo in most contemporary societies, the relationship to it in the Arab-Muslim world is particular. Out of twelve countries where homosexuality is punishable by death, six are Middle Eastern countries (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates, Brunei, Iran) and it is illegal in all the other countries in the area. Local particularisms in fact diversify the study of the subject in each of the countries, but the option made on the territory ranging from Morocco to the Arabian Peninsula is linked through Muslim and Arab tradition and by models of similar hegemonic masculinities on many points, such as virility and the position of patriarch, i.e. of a dominant. This patriarchal reality is not unique to this area but it is one of the common denominators among the distinct cultures found there. The other similar aspect is the mark of colonisation, whose struggle for independence on distinct scales continues to shape the various political and social landscapes. As a result, this part of the earth has rigidified its laws and its relationship to homosexuality over the last few
Mina Gerges (MG), originally from Egypt, talks to us about reconciling both his gay and Arab identities
London, UK – 13 Parade 2019
PTF: Being gay and Arab places you in two sometimes conflicting cultures. What was that like, and how did it affect your sexual identity journey?
MG: I was born in Egypt and grew up in Abu Dhabi, and I emigrated to Canada when I was 11. Growing up meant understanding that my identity is extremely complex and intersectional, it’s made up of several marginalized, misunderstood communities that aren’t prevalent in Western culture, so growing up and coming out was complicated and alienating.
I grew up in a country where being gay is a taboo subject, where the only word for entity gay when I lived there was a negative word. It made finding myself feel enjoy a monumental challenge: how act I accept who I am when my identity is in direct opposition to the very foundation of Middle Eastern society and Coptic identity, and how do I deal with the shame it’ll bring my family? Growing up, I felt tremendous shame because being queer, Middle Eastern/North African, and Coptic felt like an illegitimate and confusing mix of identities.
It ju
Middle Eastern and South Asian Gay/Bi Men
For those that are interested, we hold been kindly invited to a Board & Social Games Night in collaboration with the Sydney Lgbtq+ Asian Men Meetup collective and SocialisAsians.
This event is open and inclusive of sexuality, gender, age (18+) and etc.
Please register via the ACON shape page so that we know that you are coming along and can plan ahead to accommodate numbers: Please register via the ACON form page so that we understand that you are coming along and can intend ahead to accommodate numbers:
This Games Night is a way for same-sex attracted Asian men (with lineage from North, South, East and West Asia) men plus their supportive allies to be themselves, possess fun and be social in a safe environment.
We'll start the night with housekeeping announcements, and perhaps a quick ice breaker. Feel free to deliver your lovely selves, snacks (particularly healthy snacks - they seem to popular) and soft drinks/juices to share, and your retain food/dinner if you obtain too hungry. For those who like to combine us, we may be having dinner/drinks after the event.
You can bring your own board games that you'd like to participate or play the ones that we bring along