Massad

This is Sarah. I found the Joseph Massad reading, "Re-Orienting Gay Desire: The Gay International and the Arab World" to be fascinating and insightful. Massad argues that the efforts of the gay international are in turn causing an increased homophobic culture in the Middle East. The ILGA (International Lesbian Gay Association) was founded in 1978 as part of the universal human rights campaign. Its mission is to"create a platform for lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, and transgendered people internationally, in their quest for recognition. equality, and liberation." The ILGA has placed much emphasis in Middle Eastern cultures and African countries such as Europe. Although its intentions are commendable, the ILGA has instilled fear in the civilians of these nations. According to Massad, a term was not given to "homosexality" until the 1950s. Homosexuality simply is not discussed in the main stream of the Middle East.

The recent attention to homosexuality has caused an unfortunate uproar in its opposition. Too add to the Middle Eastern naiiveness, homosexuality is still defined by sexual behavior. It is viewed as an act rather than a form of relationship and love. Men that escape to Egypt to meet other gay men are being punished. According to Massad, on May 11, 2001, police in Cairo raided a discotheque in the Nile and arrested fifty-five people. These men were not caught performing sexual act. They were arrested for the sole reason of being in the presence of a "gay event". This is truly outrageous.

The ILGA's has brought awareness to homosexuality in the Middle East, but in a negative notion. The people of the Middle East are scared of the idea of homosexuality and are now making the practice illegal. The naiiveness and ignorance of these people is truly disheartening.