Behind the veil

frenchieman
By frenchieman

I found this article very enlightening--

BEHIND THE VEIL - LESBIAN LIVES IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Lesbians in the Middle East lead a dangerous existence. BRIAN WHITAKER explores how, against all odds, they manage to survive.

While it’s true that gay men have a tough time in most of the Middle East – recent murders by militias in Iraq and executions in Iran are proof of that – we hear far less about lesbians. In a macho society, where men run the show and women count for little, lesbians are almost invisible.

Though homosexuality – both male and female – is generally a taboo subject in the Middle East, there is plenty of evidence that all-woman action is more common than people imagine, and much of it takes place under the noses of unsuspecting husbands.

For married women, lesbian activity can be a safe way of adding spice to their sex life. The typical Arab husband jealously guards his wife from the attentions of other men, but the possibility that she might be having a fling with another woman hardly ever occurs to him. The wife, in turn, has no need to account to her husband for time spent with women. He will be satisfied just to know she is not spending her time with men.

This invisibility has advantages and disadvantages, according to Laila, an Egyptian lesbian in her twenties. In the big cities of Egypt, two women living together as ‘flatmates’ would not arouse much curiosity, Laila said – though that would depend on their choice of district. Neighbours would first wonder if they were prostitutes and would probably quiz the bawwab, the doorman who watches all comings and goings in Egyptian blocks of flats.

Full story at: http://www.divamag.co.uk/diva/features.asp?AID=1677

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2011 12:03
anonymous

Thank you Tinker.

FYI I am a Muslim convert and it is sad to see how the attitude is so rife among the many Muslims I know "This suits me therefore it is right" and "this does not suit me therefore it is wrong"

Just because some Muslim might know few things about the religion and quote from the Scriptures, suddenly he/she has become a Scholar, Judge and executioner as well.

Sad sad sad.

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2011 11:36
anonymous

Edifis...lol...Just be careful who's behind you when you're peeping through the keyhole...

Tinker, it is just sad people are becoming more and more judgemental of others by the day.

By what do u want• 31 Mar 2011 11:27
what do u want

I+'m a Muslim.. and I don't find this offensive!!! why do you??????????????

Frenchieman.. is addressing a problem that exists!! we can't bury our head in the sand, and pretend it doesn't exist!! plus.. this has nothing to do with Islam.. as a matter of fact.. if those people were true Muslims, they wouldn't be the way they are!! every society has it's faults.. and that's it's because made up of humans!! humans make mistakes.. they can be good and they can be baaaaaaaaaaaad!!

By edifis• 31 Mar 2011 11:11
edifis

I love when 2 lesbians express their feelings and I can be a peeping Tom.

By Uranus1• 31 Mar 2011 10:46
Uranus1

I agree with EMC-12. Nothing wrong with the OP. It did not bash anyone or any religion. It just brought to our attention something that is prevalent but largely hidden in the larger region. He says he found it surprising and shared.

If sajmarhab and ajoobajeeba object to lesbianism best for him to address it rather than sticking their heads in the sand in denial of its existence.

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2011 10:33
anonymous

Good but I wish they were more open about it, I love lesbians..

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2011 10:29
anonymous

sajmarhab

Why did you bring Islamic society in here? Did Frenchieman say anything about Islamic Society? Mind you in the Middle East we have lots of religions.

Besides saying that the islamic society is running without any problem over the past 1400 years is way too much of an overstatement.Do the uprisings in the Middle East ring any bell to you? I guess the countries involved are not Islamic countries according to your statement.

I say in all societies and religions we have good and bad among the straight people and homosexuals. Whether we like it or not we cannot hide the fact. For sure, I don't like homosexuality as a practice not because of religion but because I personally hate it. I hated it before I became aware most religions prohibit it.

Have a good day my friend.

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2011 10:12
anonymous

Ajoobejeeba

I don't understand your comment. What wrong did Frenchieman do? He was just highlighting an issue which, if some of us were not aware of because of being naive, at least they know now. He is not doing any rubbish things, is he? What tells you that he does not fear God or is making violence? You have judged him and I don't think this is fair. Do you?

By dohalife2010• 31 Mar 2011 10:06
dohalife2010

.good piece of article.

By ajoobajeeba• 31 Mar 2011 09:32
ajoobajeeba

Dear frenchieman,

Better Advice for you, First of all see urself, then point out others.

Fear for Judgement Day my Brother & Follow the commandment of Allah. Making any voilence in any community will not bring you happiness. Remember u, me and All have to die once, So fear God & Stop all these rubbish things.

Thanks.

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2011 09:18
anonymous

So she can do what?

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2011 08:45
anonymous

Interesting post...will think about this and tell my wife to take note.

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2011 07:56
anonymous

Yup lesbianism is alive and well in the Middle East. Good for them.

By sajmarhab• 31 Mar 2011 07:53
sajmarhab

U try ur best to prove, the islamic society is wrong,,, u still fail.... past 1400 years it is running without any problem, inshaallah, it will run until the end of the world...

By britexpat• 31 Mar 2011 07:12
britexpat

Great insight from a Lesbian Magazine which has a certain agenda.. :O)

By [email protected]• 31 Mar 2011 07:05
vitzkelly30@yahoo.com

there are here also but they are closet KING...

By Uranus1• 31 Mar 2011 05:46
Uranus1

I agree with what do you want. Any society that segregates to the extreme courts this. Just look at the ancient Greeks.

By eliashamzo• 31 Mar 2011 01:53
eliashamzo

True article

By aafi• 31 Mar 2011 01:34
aafi

Why do u wanna talk about homosexuality in ME while France is having a percentage of 24%....

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/lif_und_nei_hom-lifestyle-undesirable-neighbours-homosexuals

By what do u want• 31 Mar 2011 00:58
what do u want

Boyat is the plural for Boya

By edifis• 31 Mar 2011 00:47
edifis

Boyat.

By what do u want• 31 Mar 2011 00:27
Rating: 4/5
what do u want

I know for a fact that lesbianism is very very common in GCC ... and yes it's all hidden and that's because of the EXTREME segregation between men and women, I'm not talking about the Islamic healthy segregation.. but about the EXTREME one.. where you live your whole life without even talking to anyone of the oppposite sex... Saudia arabia suffers from homosexuality the most! I had a friend who lived there and told me many frightning stories...

in GCC countries.. they have a common phrase: "boya" which means a female boy.... those girls act like boys and they have relationships with other girls! however, I've heard it's like a phase, and once they are married, they get over it! or maybe act like they got over it!

By anonymous• 31 Mar 2011 00:21
anonymous

frenchie

what U say?

By one_shot• 30 Mar 2011 23:57
one_shot

if u have the belief in your heart, very strong faith in God.

fear nothing, because when you establish your family on the right basis, the rest of the building will be strong against any life tsunamis.

By Uranus1• 30 Mar 2011 23:55
Uranus1

Interesting . . . It cannot be an easy life.

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