"Arab
Men Always Active, Never Passive"
The following was received by e-mail from a
British visitor
CAIRO-- I Am a Brit who has
visited various countries in the Middle East over
the years, even staying with an Egyptian family
in a village opposite Luxor for two weeks. My
feelings about gay experiences are that Arab men
indulge in same-sex behavior without thinking of
it as being anything different or strange. They
would never admit to being gay, or even perhaps
understand the term.
In western culture, the gay lifestyle has been
made into something with a separate identity and
behavior. I am not in favor of that myself, but
can see how it suits some people who want to
parade and establish there separateness. However,
you cannot translate, or even impose, that kind
of gay culture on those who do not understand it
and who would find it quite alien, even
unacceptable.
The other interesting thing to note, and it is
probably a result of Muslim culture, is that Arab
men are always active and never passive. In fact,
it is quite unusual for them to even reciprocate
and show any real signs of passion. The whole
process being very one-sided.
I understand that Arab women frequently
complain that men treat them in exactly the same
way, so it is a cultural/behavioral challenge.
30.7.98 N.S.
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