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Stonehedge in reply to @hoefla

Is this legit?

I don't think it is. This is the closest I managed to find, from the Egyptian press.

Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Chairman of the National Counter-Terrorism Committee of the Ministry of Interior and the supervisor of the security of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Abdul Aziz Abdullah al-Ansari, spoke earlier about homosexuals who plan to attend the World Cup matches in Qatar.

Ansari said in press statements that everyone was welcome in Qatar and to attend the World Cup matches.

Ansari said homosexuals should not raise their flag or promote for homosexuality for their protection.

Ansari insisted that gay football fans in Qatar would be welcome to attend the World Cup, but refused to provide protection to them, saying that people on the street could attack a fan if they showed homosexual manifestations.

This basically aligns with what I understand Qatar's general position is. I.e Gay people are welcome to visit as long as they they keep their sexuality completely under wraps and obey the blanket no signs of affection in public policy. I.e no hand holding, kissing etc.

Although weirdly, while a man and a woman would not usually hug in public in Qatar, there is nothing to stop two men hugging. Just as long as its not a gay hug I guess. :D

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skinny in reply to @Stonehedge

I.e no hand holding, kissing etc.

Isn't hand holding of men quite common in the Arabic world, and actually affection in general? That's been my experience. It's nice. Weirdly the west has the connotation that two men kissing or holding hands would make them homosexual rather than just expressing friendship or platonic love.

Old but relevant: https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/weekinreview/why-arab-men-hold-hands.html

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Stonehedge in reply to @skinny

Isn't hand holding of men quite common in the Arabic world, and actually affection in general? That's been my experience. It's nice. Weirdly the west has the connotation that two men kissing or holding hands would make them homosexual rather than just expressing friendship or platonic love.

Thats definitely what I've seen but had never looked it up. Interesting isn't it? Something really nice about men being able to express their affection for each other physically without feeling self conscious. Unless they're gay of course, in which case, off to prison you go it seems.

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