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Most people who come to this forum are probably not aware of the plight of the GLBTQ community in Islamic societies. It is therefore a tremendously positive development that a couple of Israeli Arabs are starting an Arabic-language literary magazine that will also include articles by and about gay people.
http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/new-arabic-language-website-to-tackle-taboo-gay-issues-1.308248
Let's wish this venture every success.
J F R
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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... firstly, what's up with the "GLBTQ" moniker? It isn't enough that GLBT (or alternatively LGBT) is inclusive enough of every flavour of our disparate community that its' been decided we have to add Queer too, just to be on the safe side; just in case we were not specific enough the first time around, or am I missing something here?
Secondly, whilst I think it's laudable that an Arabic-language news-magazine (and by extension a web-site) is being developed to tackle the hard topics within the Islamic community throughout the middle-east (and again by extension, throughout the rest of the World), and in particular gay-related issues, if I were Muslim, regardless of whether I were, Middle-eastern, or not, I would, given today's largely Politically Correct environment, find being called an Arab offensive. Occidental as opposed to Oriental, no; Caucasian, if that is the case, as opposed to otherwise, no; Semitic as opposed to not, no; Iraqi, Iranian, Saudi, Jordanian, Syrian, Lebanese, Israeli, Egyptian, whatever, no; Arab, yes. Not all of Middle-eastern origin are Muslim, nor are they all Christian, nor all Judaea. Maybe I'm way off base here; but, here in Canada, and in particular within the Islamic community where I reside, one never, ever, hears the word Arab used in an context; hyphenated nationalities, yes; hyphenated religious affiliations, yes; Arab, never.
On the other hand, I do find it somewhat of a paradox that it is a group of Israeli Muslims who are the progenitors of this venture; and, if for no other reason, I would wish them every success.
Warren C. E. Austin
The Gay Deceiver
Toronto, Canada
[Updated on: Tue, 17 August 2010 12:56]
"... comme recherché qu'un délice callipygian"
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First of all, Warren, a sincere thank you for taking up this thread. Too many of us here just read and move on. The essence of a forum is discussion.
firstly, what's up with the "GLBTQ" moniker? It isn't enough that GLBT (or alternatively LGBT) is inclusive enough of every flavour of our disparate community that its' been decided we have to add Queer too, just to be on the safe side; just in case we were not specific enough the first time around, or am I missing something here?
Apparently, you are missing something. The "Q" stands for "questioning" - people who are not sure of their sexual orientation and are trying to find out. Most of these people are youngsters and the various organisations, such as the Open House in Jerusalem, put a lot of effort into helping them find their way.
if I were Muslim, regardless of whether I were, Middle-eastern, or not, I would, given today's largely Politically Correct environment, find being called an Arab offensive.
Well, in Israel's multi-ethnic society the non-Jewish part of the population prefers to call itself Arab. That's their decision, not mine and not yours. It is an ethnic descriptor, not a religious one. As you rightly point out, some of Israel's Arabs are Christians, others are Druze or Circassian.
On the other hand, I do find it somewhat of a paradox that it is a group of Israeli Muslims who are the progenitors of this venture; and, if for no other reason, I would wish them every success.
Me too.
J F R
The paradox has often been noted that the United States, founded in secularism, is now the most religiose country in Christendom, while England, with an established church headed by its constitutional monarch, is among the least. (Richard Dawkins, 2006)
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I'm sorry JFR, I am not ignoring the points you have made in this thread. If I do not answer to something it is because I have nothing valid to say. My knowledge of the gay community in the Middle East and beyond is quite limited.
I do read almost every posting. I learn from it, I embrace the interest of others. But my comments would be quite useless in a discussion on this topic, so I say good luck to them, it seems a bumpy road ahead.
Age appears to be best in four things; old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read. (Sir Francis Bacon 1561-1626)
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