Mideast Piece

Few mainstream films have been made about homosexuality in the Muslim/Arab world, and one of the more noteworthy has been “The Road to Love,” a 2004 independent French film (mainstream?). Here’s a segment from Grady Harp’s review:

French Algerian Karim (Karim Tarek) is a student in Paris and spends his time with his girlfriend Sihem (Sihem Benamoune). He happens to view a television program about the gay life in Egypt in the 20th century, a life that allowed gay relationships and even marriages so along as the men gave up the lifestyle when they eventually married women. His interest in the subject results in a sociology project of interviewing gay Arab men to explore contemporary gay lifestyles.

After a few aborted attempts (Karim is not sufficiently comfortable with the subject matter to gain the trust of his interviewees) Karim encounters Farid (Farid Tali), a gay, well-adjusted, quietly seductive handsome Algerian lad who not only agrees to be interviewed, but also finds ways to assist Karim with his project. Chemistry develops and the two depart Paris to visit Marseilles and Morocco and Karim discovers why the subject of choice fascinates him so.

The beauty of this film lies in the honesty in which it is written, directed, acted, and edited. Not only are we allowed to explore a subject matter few of us knew (Islamic homosexuality history and social mores), we are also presented with one of the more tender love stories on film - tender because it is not overt but rather because it is so naturally evolved. The actors are excellent and though they feel as though they are first time, off the street recruits, they find the core of the script and make the story beautiful.

Learn more or order a copy of “The Road to Love” here.

By now you’ve probably heard about BP’s former chief executive, John Browne. He might be facing perjury charges related to his testimony in his efforts to keep details of his four-year relationship with beau Jeff Chevalier out of the papers. Basically they say that Browne lied in order to keep those details hush-hush. Brown worked for BP for 41 years - in a closet of his own making.

He’s quoted as having said

I have always regarded my sexuality as a personal matter, to be kept private.

I think that privacy is great but trying to stay in the closet about his relationship cost Browne about $31 million. According to CNN,

Browne’s early departure means he will lose a bonus of up to 1.3 times his annual salary, that comes to more than £3.5 million, just under $7 million. He will also miss out on the long-term performance share plan for 2007-2009 with a maximum potential value of some £12 million, just under $24 million, the BP statement said.

Coming out takes guts. It’s not easy to be openly gay - even for a boss of a very powerful corporation. Moreover, coming out is a life-long process. Every time you meet someone new or get a new job you’ll have to come out all over again. But if you’re not out, people will always speculate why you’re a 50 year old “bachelor”. It’s not really a secret. So, come out! Live your life out in the open - and celebrate love in your life. Don’t stuff it into a dark closet.

Try to soften up a little. If your skin is too tough, Cupid’s arrows will bounce right off. (A little moisturizer doesn’t hurt either.)

According to this article for CNN by Aneesh Raman, Dr. Heba Kotb is breaking barriers and talking about sex openly on a talk show broadcast across the Middle East. According to Kotb,

We talk about masturbation … sex over the Internet. We talk about sex and Ramadan. We talk about the wedding night.

It took her three years of hard work to get her show on the air. She limits herself though. She only talks about sex allowed in the Quran - sex between husband and wife. The promo for the show starts with Kotb saying, “Sex. Don’t be afraid. Join me to talk about sex without shame.”

Her main advice is something I can get, um, behind: Have more sex.

In case you’re wondering where you could buy one, Shirat HaSirena over at Zabaj has the inside scoop on hot, fresh HOMOS! This sign was spotted in Jerusalem. I assume the sign used to read “humus“.

Love is a feeling - an emotion. It’s not a game. If you want to play a game with guys, try baseball. You can swing your, um, bat as much as you want without giving anyone a heartache.

Though I am a mid-20’s kind of gay guy, my closeted years were enhanced by a lot of gay icons who (a) are not gay men and (b) are typically associated with gay men born a generation before me.

Chief among those grand dames to whom my heart really belongs is none other than Barbra Streisand. Ah, Babs. They simply do not make them like Barbra anymore. That voice, that gaze, that gusto…that nose!

A few minutes ago I was thinking about Babs (don’t ask why) and remembered her Oscar-winning performance in 1968’s Funny Girl. Within five, maybe seven seconds, I realized this movie is quite related to our site (lucky for you). Barbra plays legendary performer Fanny Brice, and her love interest in the movie is played by none other than Omar Sharif, the internationally-known Egyptian actor (there they are above in the movie!)

The film caused quite a stir at the time because Barbra, a nice Jewish girl from Brooklyn, shared quite a few deep kisses with Omar, whose native country had just been crushed by Israel in the Six Day War. Barbra allegedly received death threats leading up to a public performance, setting the stage for a decades-long hiatus from the stage.

The movie brings us gay-man torch songs like “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” “My Man” and, of course, “People.” A Jewish woman and an Arab man launch a torrid romance, Oscars follow, and the world kept spinning.

What ever happened to musicals? (And divas wearing bras?)

Take responsibility for your own love life - your whole life for that matter. Stop making excuses and blaming others. The truth is that not all the good ones are straight, married, or otherwise taken. Not all men are creeps. You are not the only decent, single gay guy left out there.

Looking for love? Frustrated? It’s tough, I know. Listen, lighten up. Love is not open heart surgery even though it can feel like it! Life is what’s happening when your making plans and waiting for something to happen to you. Live it!

Matt: hey muffin

John: what’s up duck

Matt: ok, you know I made the resolution to stop hunting for ass online for a while?

John: uh yeah

Matt: Question: someone I met online before I made the resolution just sent me an SMS and he
wants to meet. What do i do?

John: Well how hot is he?

Matt: According to craigslist he a 6′0″, 190 and I will not be disappointed

John: ok

Matt: I mean, why should I deny him or myself some carnal pleasures just because of a resolution?

John: yeah

Matt: what if he turns out to be Mr. Big? Or Mr. Right?

John: yeah

Matt: I met him online BEFORE that resolution, I am going to meet him

John: yeah

Matt: thanks for helping me clear it up!

John: ok