JO Magazine

A reader writes in: "After reading the article "Sex in the City?" in JO magazine, from the October edition, I was appalled by the context of the article; how the government and the people in surrounding Middle Eastern countries deal with the so-called "crisis" of homosexual and lesbian affairs."

 

 

Dear Chief Editor of JO magazine,

After reading the article "Sex in the City?" in JO magazine, from the October edition, I was appalled by the context of the article; how the government and the people in surrounding Middle Eastern countries deal with the so-called "crisis" of homosexual and lesbian affairs. I was shocked when I read that two men were dragged from their home and beaten in front of others publicly. There was no need for such an action towards these people. What did these people do to get such an act of humiliation thrown on them?

The people and government of these countries are acting harsh and taking unnecessary actions against these people for their own choices. I am not a homosexual, but I firmly believe that even though these people have made that decision they should not be punished for it.

I agree with the article that these actions should not be enforced, but I still believe how homosexuals are being dealt with is wrong. You say it is against religion, and I respect that, considering that living in a Middle Eastern country has shown me that religion is the basis of everything, but these people shouldn’t be beaten and humiliated for their choice of being homosexual.

Like mentioned in the article, for some, homosexuality is very discreet and private, and for others they feel they have to lead rallies and protests. From what I heard and understood from the article is that these people were not being violent in their protests. If these people can get what they want to say heard, and make an impact, and yet do it peacefully, it is going to persuade more people. And they are doing so.
…
Homosexuality is their choice, not ours. The government can fight to make these movements stop, and beat into people that homosexuality will be wrong. but I firmly believe it won’t stop, as seen in [many] countries in the world [where] homosexuals are accepted and loved as family and friends. These people didn’t make these choices to be hated and ridiculed; they did it to be loved and feel acceptance.

Some countries have accepted gay marriages, which I disagree with, but I have spoken to many people who agree to this and are straight. They said to me that any two people should have the right to get married; it’s their choice, and showing love, respect and humanity, you should accept them and not hate them for the choices they made in the past. We have no right to beat and hurt these people. We don’t understand what they are going through or what they are feeling or why they made these decisions, but you can’t tell someone to give up their way of life or the one thing that makes sense to them. Homosexual and lesbian marriages should not be enforced, but they deserve rights because they are people too.

Sincerely,
Yasmeen Ireifej