Originally Posted by
GUWonder
Qatar and the UAE aren’t theocracies, as anyone with an informed, objective understanding of forms of government would know.
Lots of South Asian LGBT passengers pass thru DOH and DXB on trips to/from/within Asia, almost always without incident; and most any incident of a problem while transiting wouldn’t be unique to transiting DOH or DXB and may have its own variant in the UK or US airports.
Well thanks for the insult, but allow me to add some fact. Qatar is a constitutional monarchy with Sharia law being the main law in the constitution. The legal system is a combination of Islamic and civil law. Or in other words a government based on the law of a religion. or for all intents and purposes......wait for it.......a theocracy.
The UAE's individual members have agreed to an absolute monarchy and the law there is also a combination of Sharia and civil law. So while we ca use a label like "absolute monarchy" in place of theocracy, the guy running things is a devout believer in Islam and his courts are bound by a mix of Sharia law and civil law.
So in short both governments and those governed are more inclined to siding with a religion's ideas on things than say a public poll's. Call it what you wish, we all can. But addressing the safety of a transwoman there I think it would be clear to most that this is something to take into consideration.
Lots of LGBT folks pas through without incident? Great. Fortunately for 3 of 4 of that acronym being visually identified as that minority can be impossible if the individual does not make pubic displays of affection. Transfolk do not have that luxury. It only takes one incident. Enough vids of the intolerance of the thinking in that region give me pause and I seek to offer the advice that alternatives exist so as not to require a transit in a country guided by a religion with specific views on the LGBT issues.
Having transited US and UK airports hundreds of tomes I can assure you the law is on your side there with specific regard to how you present. Very much a case of apples and oranges I am afraid.