Gay activist traveling to Dubai
Jan 25, 2016, 11:44 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: NYC/PSP
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold
Posts: 4,106
I travel to Dubai quite often as my sister lives there, and have yet to have any problems. The gay scene is quite active and have sampled the local culture many times without incident. I do stay at large, anonymous hotels, and am discreet in public. Once you're there I think you'll see it really is a non issue.
Jan 25, 2016, 8:52 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: SEA
Programs: DL DM, DL SkyClub, DL AmEx Plat, SPG +, Hilton Silver, Hertz, Thrifty BlueChip, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 586
Interesting discussion.
I present two thoughts..... all personal.
1. I would never willingly spend my tourist $$ in a country or State ( I live in the US) that discriminates, or worse, finds illegal, my sexual orientation. ( Even though you live in such a country you are familiar with how to traverse it's laws) The fact that your cousin choose Dubai to celebrate a birthday w/o consideration of your risks would be enough to decline the invitation.
2. The fact that you are already worried and a bit paranoid about possible consequences on your arrival is a pretty lousy way to start a happy celebration. If it was me, I would cancel, take the financial loss, and tell my cousin I will celebrate with them on more friendly and familiar lands.
I present two thoughts..... all personal.
1. I would never willingly spend my tourist $$ in a country or State ( I live in the US) that discriminates, or worse, finds illegal, my sexual orientation. ( Even though you live in such a country you are familiar with how to traverse it's laws) The fact that your cousin choose Dubai to celebrate a birthday w/o consideration of your risks would be enough to decline the invitation.
2. The fact that you are already worried and a bit paranoid about possible consequences on your arrival is a pretty lousy way to start a happy celebration. If it was me, I would cancel, take the financial loss, and tell my cousin I will celebrate with them on more friendly and familiar lands.
I, personally, don't care if you 'can' get away with it. You shouldn't have to and I won't go where I'm not wanted. My money spends very well in other places!
Jan 25, 2016, 9:29 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: AA LT Gold
Posts: 3,646
How do you define a gay scene "quite active".
For me a "quite active" gay scene would be a place where there is always something going on. A happening restaurant full of gays, a beach full of gays, lots of bars and clubs to hang out with similar homos without having to search for too much or having to go underground
Berlin, London and Los Angeles come to my mind.
That there are 10 pages of thumbnails of nearby gays on Grindr or Scruff or that I get 20 different "woofs" or "hi's" in 20 mins (or 500 in 30 secs) does not mean a quite active gay scene for me. It is just a quite active Grindr or Scruff scene (which not always leads to actual hook ups).