Lebanon is definitely the most LGBT-friendly middle eastern country, relatively speaking, but that's a pretty low bar to be honest. Nowhere in the Arab world is a great place to be gay. Our list of the most queer friendly Arab countries based on our first-hand experience traveling in each, contrasted against their respective LGBTQ laws. Being openly gay in the Arab world is certainly not an easy feat. or capital punishment!!
19/07/ 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. But like many things in life kale smoothies, Pilates, my first time watching Game of Thrones , it turned out to be far more nuanced than I expected. This was a trip of unexpected warmth: from locals who were genuinely curious, kind, and often surprisingly open-minded in private settings. Traveling here as a gay man requires caution, discretion, and a healthy respect for local laws.
Countries where Homosexuality is still a Crime (in alphabetical order) In the Middle Eastern region, there are 13 countries that still criminalise homosexuality. Of these 8 have ratified the ICCPR,. Through a haze of shisha smoke and somewhat stifling sexual stigma, the Arab world unveils an unexpected realm of possibilities for intrepid gay travellers. If you can forgive the state-approved homophobia and are willing to act with discretion while out and about, the Arab countries can redeem themselves in a thousand and one different ways, from the ancient centre of Petra to the glittering epithets of Bahrain and into the deserts beyond. While by and large closeted kingdoms, the handful of gay clubs in the progressive city of Beirut can allow you to be your true self, while the luxury international hotels across the region can ensure your privacy is respected.
By: Yasmina Hage/Arab America Contributing Writer Over time, the LGBTQ+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning) has seen its rights evolve significantly. They have endured hardship and finally made their voices heard in many Western countries, for example. The more time goes by, the more progress is made. 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 choice made on the territory ranging from Morocco to the Arabian Peninsula is linked through Muslim and Arab culture and by models of similar hegemonic masculinities on many points, such as virility and the position of patriarch, i.
Discover our selection of the most welcoming Arab countries for gay travellers: Oman, Jordan, Bahrain, Tunisia and Lebanon. .
Lebanon is definitely the most LGBT-friendly middle eastern country, relatively speaking, but that's a pretty low bar to be honest. Nowhere in the Arab world is a great place to be gay. .
Homosexuality has been legal in Turkey since the country was founded in During the Ottoman Empire (predecessor of Turkey), homosexuality was legalised in .
Equality Index Methodology Equaldex's Equality Index is a rating from 0 to (with being the most equal) to help visualize the legal rights and public attitudes towards LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex) people in each region. The Equality Index is an average of two indexes: the legal index and the public opinion Index. .