Jordan, Middle East

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 articles by traveled writers familiar with homosexuality in the world of Islam. It was edited by veteran journalist Michael Luongo of New York. It seems that the Jordanian publisher that put out the Arab-language translation used an old Arabic word that translates into “pervert”, which was once commonly used to describe gay people. Considering that there is already a pervasive and largely hostile attitude about gays in Muslim countries, this is bound to make life MORE difficult for gay people in these countries. GlobalGayz writer and owner Richard Ammon contributed a chapter to this book,

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 (especially young men and women) mix more freely than in some neighboring countries, Western fashion predominates, familiar and even upscale brands like Starbucks and Bang & Olufsen are spreading, most women drive, and fewer women wear headscarves.  Many families in Jordan have become quite rich, particularly as an aftermath of the war in Iraq and the subsequent increase in the demand for Jordanian products and services and a real estate boom caused in part by an influx of Iraqi refugees.  This wealth is constantly on display in fancy wedding parties, expensive cars, haute coiffure and

Amman is a vibrant sprawling capital city of about 3 million people. Since the peace accord with Israel in 1994 it has seen steady growth uninterrupted by politcal uncertainty as well as the smooth passage from the beloved King Hussein to his son, King Abdullah in 1999. Amman has all the amenities and advantages of a modern European city yet is decidedly Arab in appearance and sounds. In the center of the city are ancient Roman ruins atop a hill that overlooks an enormous restored amphitheater where concerts and dramatic performances take place. Evidence of moderate prosperity shows in the many large upscale limestone houses and apartment buildings that have been built in the outskirts of the city as well as many luxury cars in the streets. Amman – Books@ Cafe is one of Amman’s most popular cafes for expats, gays, educated and secular Jordanians and tourists. The cafe is

Modern Jerash is a modest city 40 miles north of Amman. It was originally established as a major Roman Empire outpost in the Middle East that flourished from the 2nd to the 5th centuries CE. Today the ruins of this extensive ancient city offer an impressive glimpse into the brilliant design, engineering and construction skills of that time. Read the stories about gay Jordan

Modern Jerash is a modest city 40 miles north of Amman. It was originally established as a major Roman Empire outpost in the Middle East that flourished from the 2nd to the 5th centuries CE. Today the ruins of this extensive ancient city offer an impressive glimpse into the brilliant design, engineering and construction skills of that time. Read the stories about Gay Jordan

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. Also see: Islam and Homosexuality Gay Jordan Stories Gay Jordan News and Reports 2002 to present Gay Jordan Photo Gallery From GayTimes.com: Jordan can be considered as one of the more liberal Arab countries. There is no sharia law and unusually homosexuality is not illegal. The gay scene such as it is is low-profile, subdued, and much less visible than that of Israel and Lebanon. Basically, the only gay life you will find is either out door cruising or at the men only hot springs and hammams (traditional baths). We understand that in Amman, there is cruising near the Roman Amphitheater at Hashemiya Square

Intro: There’s not much information or insight into gay Jordan on the Internet (see Gay Jordan 2004) despite the country being a moderate Muslim country where homosexuality is not vehemently persecuted. After a weeklong 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 ‘cruise’ around the city provided some insight into the furtive gay ‘community’ in this huge metropolis. (In summer 2007 two new mixed/gay pubs opened in Amman; see a review at Gay Jordan News and Reports #8) Also see: Islam and Homosexuality Gay Jordan Stories Gay Jordan News and Reports 2002 to present Gay Jordan Photo Gallery By Richard Ammon GlobalGayz.com August 2006 The search for gay Jordan hardly begins on the streets of Amman or Aqaba or any of the very ancient towns in this dry sun-baked country. Like the dust

Amman is a vibrant sprawling capital city of about 3 million people. Since the peace accord with Israel in 1994 it has seen steady growth uninterrupted by politcal uncertainty as well as the smooth passage from the beloved King Hussein to his son, King Abdullah in 1999. Amman has all the amenities and advantages of a modern European city yet is decidedly Arab in appearance and sounds. In the center of the city are ancient Roman ruins atop a hill that overlooks an enormous restored amphitheater where concerts and dramatic performances take place. An important aspect of this city’s life are the countless outdoor cafes where men and women gather to smoke, talk and eat with friends–and offer strong-minded opinions about the world and the country. There are some gay-friendly cafes. Read the stories about gay Jordan