Foreigners Arrested in Dubai for Alleged Homosexuality
Image via WikipediaAt some point in my life, I contemplated on going to either Singapore or Dubai for employment. I never really pursued that because of so many different reasons. The primary reason was that I never really wanted to leave the Philippines and seek employment somewhere else. I mean, sure, you earn a lot of money somewhere else and experience living an independent life in a foreign country, but I wasn’t ready for that. Besides, I knew that I was in a good place — emplyment-wise.
Another reason was that I have read news about how difficult it is to be gay in a place like Dubai. I’ve read some things about the state of homosexuality there, and I kind of hesitated, too. How will I then maintain a gay blog if that was the case right?
I’m sure that there’s more to it than meets the eye. I think one has to experience living there to really feel and know what it’s like to be gay in Dubai. We have some kababayans who are there and I’m just wondering how their lives are.
Anyway, for our kababayans there, and our friends here who have friends in Dubai, let me just share the recent news from Dubai.
Last July 7, Alarabiya.net reported1 that Dubai police launched a morality campaign after a British couple were arrested for having sex on a Dubai Beach. The campaign also resulted in the formation of an undercover unit to “combat homosexual and indecent activity on the emirates’ public beaches.”
An unnamed official at Dubai Police’s Criminal Investigation Department told UAE daily Al-Emarat al-Youm that police officers in civilian clothing are patrolling local beaches after complaints from the public of indecent behavior, especially at night time. He encouraged the public to report any activity they find offensive.
According to Dubai government statistics, out of 2.97 million beach visitors last year, 641 people were caught engaging in indecent acts. There were also seven cases of alcohol consumption, five cases of alcohol possession, and five attempted robberies.
Recently, about several foreign men were detained for allegedly being gay or openly wearing women’s clothing in public2.
Police in the Gulf tourist hub of Dubai say they’ve detained 17 foreign men for allegedly being gay and wearing women’s clothing in malls and other public places.
Police spokesman Zuhair Horoun says the men were either visiting or working in Dubai. He says they were detained Wednesday but would not elaborate.
I may not want to work in Dubai, but I still want to visit it. Heck, it is my dream to stay at the Burj Al-Arab Hotel!
*note: This entry is not meant to scare anyone in Dubai nor is it meant to prevent anyone from going to Dubai.
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greetings from dubai!
did you know that i used hotshield just to open your site, nakablocked kasi to dito..
i was so impressed of your writing and i want you to give some personal information/s that i had in relation to this subject, hehehe…
keep it up,
MrCens
Dabawenyo
Dubai, UAE
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totoo yan…nabasa ko yung news na yan sa 7Days local paper dito…front page pa yun! I really dont like to live here in Dubai, and coming here was a mistake! although i have a good,decent paying job here, I still dont feel secure here…and everything is getting expensive!!!!
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hello! po! bukas na po ang 2nd Baguio LGBT Pride Parade! sana po makadalo kayo! ako hindi makakapunta, pero makikibalita na lang ako sa mga friends doon. ingat po!
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I HAS A PINOY PONY BAKLA LIVING IN LA AND WORKING HAS A BAKLA BELLCAPTAIN @ MAYFAIR,I’AM HAPPY I DID NOT GO TO DUBAI!
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Yes, it can be very hard for gay people to do things legally in a Muslim community.I do feel for you, while I’m not gay I believe that everybody should be allowed to follow their heart, regardless of orientation.
Ali
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Dubai is probably the most liberal and westernized of all the Emirates. Having said that….don’t go to the other Emirates then. You cannot “flaunt” being gay in Dubai. When your packing your suitcases…..prepare to leave room for your old familiar friend that you never thought you’d use again….your “closet”…., because you will need it in Dubai. Gay is tolerated to a small extent. If you flash it about, you will be kicked out. It’s that simple. Like, don’t make out with a hot guy on the beach….wait to get back to your room. When you make good friends there, you may come out to them (if they’re good friends they’ll figure it out before you tell them). Just be smart about it. I’m gay and in my 40s, that is a lot tougher than younger guys in 20s and 30s. There is still a gay scene to be found for the younger guys. Just hit the popular clubs and you’ll find it quick enough. I won’t advertise it anymore than that else I’ll ruin it for those who use it. Also, you will need to use a VPN like HotSpotShield to get to gay internet sites as they were pretty much all blocked in April. It’s not impossible to be gay in Dubai, it’s just not easy. A network of good friends makes it easier. Though, if you’re out now, crawling back into that closet…….can make you a little bitter while you’re there.
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I took some time in the wee hours of the morning yesterday and thought about how the American liberal must live under the constant stress of hypocrisy. It is no wonder liberals are as uptight as they are. Think about it for just a moment and give reply.
I feel sad for Dubai, for not understanding the gene character.
An ‘excuse’ for being gay?
What is the real debate between society/ Dubai police and homosexual here? Why they are gay? or how we are going to treat homosexuals and develop our attitudes towards alternative lifestyles?
It doesn’t matter if it is genetic or choice.. these individuals are not hurting anyone else and deserve every single right that is afforded to anyone else.
You need a drastic attitude change.
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AJ Reply:
September 4th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
@Pink Clothes:
I think it has a lot to do with their religion and the Sharia laws (or something like that). As much as we would like change for their country, we don’t have that power. It’s all up to them and their government. i just feel for those among us who continue to live difficult lives there.
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