Gay Israel Stories 2006-12

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

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

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 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.

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

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