Unspeakable Love

Homosexuality is a taboo subject in the Arab world. While clerics denounce it as a heinous sin, newspapers write cryptically of 'shameful acts' and 'deviant behaviour'. Amid the calls for reform in the Middle East, homosexuality is one issue that almost everyone in the region would prefer to ignore. In this absorbing account, Guardian journalist Brian Whitaker calls attention to the voices of men and women who are struggling with gay identities in societies where they are marginalized and persecuted by the authorities. He paints a disturbing picture of people who live secretive, fearful lives and who are often jailed, beaten, and ostracized by their families, or sent to be 'cured' by psychiatrists. Deeply informed and engagingly written, Unspeakable Love reveals that -- while deeply repressive prejudices and stereotypes still govern much thinking about homosexuality -- there are pockets of change and tolerance. Unspeakable Love was shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award in 2006. This updated edition includes new material covering developments since the book's first publication. 'A must-read for anyone who believes in human rights' Rabih Alameddine 'Masterful -- incredibly balanced and thoughtful' Ben Summerskill 'Anyone interested in reform in the Arab world must read this book' Mai Yamani 'Wise and compassionate' Guardian 'Groundbreaking' Daily Star Lebanon 'Never before has such a comprehensive study of gay civil rights been published' The Middle East Gay Journal 'Boldly delves into one of the biggest taboos in modern Muslim societies with subtlety and sensitivity' Globe and Mail

Auteur

Brian Whitaker was Middle East editor at the Guardian for seven years and is currently an editor for the newspaper's Comment is Free website. He is the author of What's Really Wrong in the Middle East (Saqi Books, 2009). His website, al-bab.com, is devoted to Arab culture and politics.

Contenu
Contents: Introduction 9 A Note on Terminology 15 A Question of Honour 19 In Search of a Rainbow 47 Images and Realities 77 Rights and Wrongs 121 'Should I Kill Myself ?' 157 Sex and Sensibility 189 Paths to Reform 211 Notes 235 Bibliography 269 Index 275