Kuwait and other Gulf States to ban gay visitors.

[Pushka]

Lucky for me - as a single, white, straight, childless male - I'm safe

What if guys travelling solo is part of the test?

 

[casanovawa]

You would never get to take the test since that also is illegal!

Is there a concept over there of being married for a short while, that allows men to visit 'red light' areas??

 

[casanovawa]

It's mind boggling really, but the World Cup is so far away that things could change several times over before then.

Hmmm, its not generally know as one of the fast paced moving/changing regions, but you never know... The power of the $ can work both ways...

 

[casanovawa]

I think the bigger issue here is that any company would willingly go into partnership with a country with cough like this, is a disgrace. It is a stain on QF to be even remotely associated with such an attitude.

I think QF actually went into partnership with a company (EK) rather a country (UAE) per se... Just sayin'....

 

[ashleyn]

I think QF actually went into partnership with a company (EK) rather a country (UAE) per se... Just sayin'....

Good point casanovawa. Unfortunately the company must conform to the laws of the country.

 

[casanovawa]

Which might also raise the question of the orientation of some of EK's staff...

 

[BAM1748]

I think QF actually went into partnership with a company (EK) rather a country (UAE) per se... Just sayin'....

I think you'll find the company is wholly owned by the county.

 

[anat0l]

I guess it will all depend on whether the test or non-admission of homosexuals means that such a person cannot safely pass in transit (without entering the country through immigration) or not.

If safe transit passage cannot be guaranteed, then perhaps there will be a real problem, which will have effects on quite a few carriers, not just mentioning QF, but also VA, EK, EY and QR. This will also affect many carriers who may have staff who work for their airlines who may possibly be homosexuals - they will necessarily have to be excused from working on any sectors to or from the Middle East.

On the other hand, everything may continue as it does right now, because after all it seems those who are homosexual or have a strong enough resolve against homophobic states are not flying via the region anyway.


How the hell do you test someone physiologically if they are gay? I hope it doesn't involve something up the backside...

 

[samh004]

I hope it doesn't involve something up the backside...

Free prostate exam did you say?

 

[macrop]

I believe the news article is BS so it seems. This story was on another Aussie travel website which has been updated (now) to reflect the possible truth behind it. It shows how both poor language translation and poor journalism can blow things out of proportion.

 

[aussiejohn]

I believe the news article is BS so it seems. This story was on another Aussie travel website which has been updated (now) to reflect the possible truth behind it. It shows how both poor language translation and poor journalism can blow things out of proportion.

Hope you are right about that. However, it's a story that appears to have been picked up by media all around the world. I have not seen a denial from anyone in the Gulf indignant about being misquoted. Methinks they are probably happy to let the story run, just to remind the GLBT community that they are not welcome.

Somehow, I don't think many of these states (UAE excepted) are pushing tourism. Saudi Arabia probably makes more than enough tourism cash by overcharging fellow Muslims for the few weeks each year during Hajj.

That said, another reason that this sort of thing scares me, is that my partner is Egyptian and Muslim, and still lives in Egypt, until I can find a way to get him out of there. If the gulf states were stupid enough to introduce something like this, then other Muslim nations would be watching with interest. Not saying they would do anything, particularly as countries like Egypt, Malaysia, Turkey, Indonesia etc, rely heavily on tourism.

As with everything, any travellers, gay, straight, or whatever should be aware of and abide by the cultural norms of the countries they are visiting. I took my partner to Malaysia last year for a short holiday. I made sure I booked twin rooms in every hotel etc, so as not to flag any problems with two males travelling together. Of course, Malaysia is slightly more tolerant, but I did nothing that could offend anyone, and we had a great holiday.

 

[anat0l]

I believe the news article is BS so it seems. This story was on another Aussie travel website which has been updated (now) to reflect the possible truth behind it. It shows how both poor language translation and poor journalism can blow things out of proportion.

Here's a decent analysis of the misunderstanding: Kuwait’s “medical screening for gays”: Truth, fiction, and why it’s not a “gay” issue | a paper bird

AusBT have updated their relevant article with a link to this.

Interesting how that was rather badly translated, but then again it is plausible to see how it could happen, let alone when the Western media starts to jump on it.

Of course it doesn't reverse (not even a bit) the prejudice of the Gulf states against homosexuality.

 

[Melburnian1]

This is why I, (unlike many others in another thread), am incredibly tolerant and accepting of those who were less than impressed by QF's partnership with EK and the subsequent transit arrangements.

dfcatch, what do you mean by this part of your comment? I reread it and still could not understand it.

 

[dfcatch]

dfcatch, what do you mean by this part of your comment? I reread it and still could not understand it.

I was simply referring to the DXB thread - where there were some strong-willed views on the issue of why you would or would not visit DXB. In summary - some people were very intolerant of the fact some people were hesitant about DXB and were regarded as racist/closed minded/culturally insensitive etc by all the DXB fanbois.

The point simply is that unlike deciding whether to visit or not to visit Tasmania, the gulf states are a different ball game, and whether your concern is political, religious, sexual, or gender - I totally respect anyone who has hesitations about the UAE (or similar) when it comes to visiting or transiting.

 

[Daver6]

I think QF actually went into partnership with a company (EK) rather a country (UAE) per se... Just sayin'....

And who is the owner of the company?

This is just my personal opinion, but both in business and personal life, who one associates with is a reflection on oneself. Why do advertisers suddenly drop sports stars with they make unacceptable social comments? They don't wish their brand to be associated with certain ideals. Clearly QF have no issue with associating themselves with views that the majority of Australians find abhorrent.

 

[samh004]

Interesting to read what it's really all about, but just because it starts with employment doesn't mean it stops there too. Loved this though:

Whatever Dr. Mindkar has in mind, the sacred anuses of fans and footballers will be exempt, unless they plan to settle down and get jobs as gardeners or drivers in the Gulf after the games are through.

And while it still seems like a gross invasion of privacy, I read something about Chevron asking indecent questions on employment forms the other day too. So everyone is doing it.

 

[MrHyde]

Isn't VA 20% owned by EY, which is owned by UAE as well? I reckon people should be boycotting VA as it is owned by a Gulf state, rather than QF, which is only in partnership with a Gulf state.

And who is the owner of the company?

This is just my personal opinion, but both in business and personal life, who one associates with is a reflection on oneself. Why do advertisers suddenly drop sports stars with they make unacceptable social comments? They don't wish their brand to be associated with certain ideals. Clearly QF have no issue with associating themselves with views that the majority of Australians find abhorrent.

 

[BoyZeus]

What will be the detector like? Will you enter a booth, lights dim, a mirror ball drops and "I am, what I am" starts blaring. If you start gyrating uncontrollably, your gay?

 

[JohnK]

But frankly whose business is your (or my) sexuality?

I am staying out of this debate but have one simple question.

Who are we to question/change the belief system of other cultures/religions/countries?

We cannot force our tolerance on others.

 

[Austman]

Who are we to question/change the belief system of other cultures/religions/countries?

We are human beings. Of the same species. I'm glad the questions at least get asked.