Unspeakable Love; Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East (Islam & Homosexuality) (Paperback)

Customers buy this book with Gay Travels in The Muslim World (Islam) by Luongo

+

Price For Both: £24.73

Show availability and shipping details

• This item: Unspeakable Love; Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East (Islam & Homosexuality) by Brian Whitaker

  In stock.
  Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.
  This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
  

• Gay Travels in The Muslim World (Islam) by Luongo

  In stock.
  Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.
  This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
  

Gay Travels in The Muslim World (Islam) by Luongo 4.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £11.99

Islamic Homosexualities: Culture, History and Literature by Stephen O. Murray 5.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £16.14

Desiring Arabs by JA Massad £14.73

Before Homosexuality in the Arab-Islamic World, 1500-1800 by K ElRouayheb £14.00

Gay Life and Culture: A World History by Robert Aldrich £16.22

› Explore similar items

Review
'An extremely well-researched and well-written text that allows us an insight into the lifestyle of the gay and lesbian community in the Middle East...educates, informs and engages the reader from the outset to the last page.' Sable Magazine 'I enjoyed and learnt much from Brian Whitaker's book, which is excellent. It was inspirational to me on the challenges to international law, and the uses of nationalism to suppress dissent within countries.' Professor Fred Halliday 'This is a compelling read. It captures with detail and with disturbing accuracy the difficulties and dangers facing lesbians and gay men across the Middle East. It helps us to understand the social pressure, the sense of isolation, the anxiety and fear and trauma. And through it all we glimpse also the possibility of hope, of remarkable courage, and perhaps even in the longer term, the chance of a more open and accepting society.' Lord (Chris) Smith, former UK Secretary of State for Culture 'This is an important, timely book, and lucid to boot - a must-read for anyone who believes in human rights.' Rabih Alameddine, author of Koolaids and I, the Divine 'A fascinating insight.' Ben Summerskill, Chief Executive, Stonewall 'Brian Whitaker has given us a moving analysis of the hidden lives of Arab homosexuals. This genuinely groundbreaking investigation reveals a side of Arab and Muslim culture shrouded by the strictest taboos. Arab societies can no longer contain their cultural, religious, ethnic or sexual diversity within their traditional patriarchal definitions of the public sphere. Anyone interested in reform in the Arab world must read this book.' Mai Yamani, Research Fellow at Chatham House and author of Cradle of Islam 'It is high time this issue was brought out of the closet once and for all, and afforded a frank and honest discussion. Brian Whitaker's humane, sophisticated, and deeply rewarding book, Unspeakable Love, does exactly that.' Ali Al-Ahmed, Director of the Gulf Institute

The distressing, archaic treatment of Middle Eastern homosexuals is addressed in straightforward, documentary fashion.The persecution of homosexuals, described in Lebanese as "shawaadh" ("perverts"), continues to thrive. Interviews with a variety of gay Arabs, Syrians and Egyptians finds many depressed and lonely, with support and understanding as rare as rainbow flags in Lebanon. Conflicted by an intense sense of family loyalty and an awareness of the devastating, family-wide consequences of exposure, gay and lesbian Arabs often find suicide to be their only salvation. Some manage to outsmart the system and emigrate while others become ingeniously resourceful in manufacturing an outward appearance (marriage to a gay partner of the opposite sex) that will appeal to conventional domestic expectations yet enable them to cultivate covert homosexual affiliations. Coming out to family is often fruitless and considered a "high-risk strategy," though often, Whitaker asserts, it is parents who will question their children's sexuality, suggesting that it has become "time for marriage" and children: an inevitable, obligatory stipulation in Arab households. But all is not lost as the author deftly underscores cultural changes at play in places like Beirut, where members of gay-rights organization Helem hand-stitched a multi-colored flag for a ten-person marching contingent against the war in Iraq; where the gay dance club Acid flourishes; and where Dunkin' Donuts remains a well-known (albeit controversial) gay hangout. Though Saudi Arabia is thought to be the most militant against open sexuality, the author proffers quotes from Saudi gay youth to the contrary. Many declare stories of gay persecution as being greatly exaggerated and point to the Internet as the ultimate resource for same-sex liaisons (and entrapment). Most interestingly, Whitaker takes into account the varied contradictions and evolutionary growth of Arab media, literature, cinema, etc., juxtaposing harsh current-day restrictions with notions of emerging freedoms. While directing readers toward the pinpoint of light at the end of the tunnel, Whitaker clearly demarcates tradition and family honor as two powerhouses eternally keeping Middle Eastern alternative lifestyles in the dark.Strong, condensed, world-weary portrait infused with hope. (Kirkus Reviews)

Rabih Alameddine, author of Koolaids and I, the Divine
This is an important, timely book, and lucid to boot – a must-read for anyone who believes in human rights.

See all Product Description

4 Reviews 5 star:  (3) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   10 of 15 people found the following review helpful: 4.0 out of 5 stars A true insight, 15 Aug 2006 By  L. Audley "A room without books is like a hum... (UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    Firstly can I just say that this book is a must for anyone who is interested in human rights, gay rights and/or the arab world. I thorougly enjoyed reading this book and I read it in the space of a few days. It is very factual and makes you appreciate how lucky we are to live in the society that we do. The only bad thing I have to say about this book is that it can be a bit repetitive in places and all the chapters are mainly about the same kind of thing. Also it did lack more of the lesbian side of things. It is about a very important topic at this moment in time due to the vast amount of publicity the middle east has been recieving. So all in all, this is a fantastic book and I would recommend it to anyone. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   2 of 3 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Overview of Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East, 10 Aug 2008 By  Steve S. (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews Brian Whitaker is a journalist (the Middle East Editor of The Guardian), so it is not surprising that Unspeakable Love relies heavily on interviews. Much of the book consists of quotations from interviews, websites or other sources. Nevertheless, the book is far more than a collection of things other people have said. Whitaker clearly knows much about the Middle East and has a thoughtful approach to the issues he discusses. For my taste, however, he is too gentle on the dysfunctional governments, societies and economies of the Middle East -- not to mention Islam itself. These are purely my views, however, and do not change the fact that Whitaker has much of value to say. This book is definitely worth reading if you have any interest in the topics he discusses. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   1 of 2 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Brave, balanced and incisive analysis of Muslim sexual taboos, 17 Jan 2009 By  Mr. C. Napier-Kristiansson "Avengers-fan" (Scotland/Luxembourg) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    The controversial subject of gay and lesbian life in the Middle East is tackled with refreshingly incisive research based on a lot of anecdotal evidence gathered by a writer who has not only first-hand knowledge of the region and its complexities but also the nuances of the Arabic language itself, enabling him to demystify this very complex and socially emotive issue. Whitaker's theories about the pre-Islamic existence of homosexuality and its accomodation within ancient Arab society is as fascinating as the anecdotes he uses to bring us closer to the hearts and minds of the real people, and he also focuses on the fears, prejudices and injustices that ordinary gay men and women face daily in today's Muslim world. Whitaker also makes the point that the Muslim world finds it easier to deny and blame homosexuality as a Western, imported social illness than to face up to the reality that it is universally found in all of the Arabic-speaking world, as much as in the West. The book is extremely informative, highly readable, compassionate, and the theories explaining the course of homosexuality throughout history will not baffle the average reader who may wish to inform his or herself about this very controversial and passionate issue. Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 4 customer reviews...		Most Recent Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 stars no title This is an absolutely fascinating book. It was a quick read and fun to devour over a lazy afternoon. Read more Published 13 months ago by C. A. Govan Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 4 customer reviews...

Gay classic movies and choices vol 1: A list by J. Lee "jayleebenjamin"   Essential gay-interest films: Part 2: A list by D. Elliot "Abolish the A.o.C."   Essential LGBT DVDs: A list by Amazon.co.uk DVD Team Create a Listmania! list

Search Listmania!

• Books > Gay & Lesbian
• Books > History > Countries & Regions > Asia > Middle East > Arabian Peninsula
• Books > Society, Politics & Philosophy > Social Sciences > Anthropology > Social & Cultural
• Books > Study Books > Undergraduate & Postgraduate > Arts & Humanities > Area Studies > Middle Eastern Studies

• Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
• I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
• I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.