Albatross_01

Hi, I am a single gay guy, planning a week's holiday in Oman in November 2016. I have heard that Oman is possibly the most gay friendly Arab country. Can anybody who has been there share their views? Also any tips on do's and don'ts will be very helpful!

marbles dad

be careful.

carlosdca

I really don't understand what you're asking here.

I have actually been in Muscat a few times very recently.
While I could go to a restaurant or check in a hotel and communicate in English (people at service industry are not necessarily omani); most people don't speak English fluidly enough to have a meaningful conversation. So I don't know what their views are in any regards (politics, love, gays, etc).

As far as gay life, it is literally non existent as far as clubs and bars go.
Even if you were a straight person looking for party, you would have a problem finding where to go. Alcohol is only sold at certain touris t restaurants/ hotels. Locals don't drink alcohol, it's against their religion.

It's a hardcore Muslim country. No different than any other similar country (Qatar, Emirates, etc)

Again, what does gay friendly mean to you?

If you are traveling solo and doing tourism, your sexual orientation is nobody's business,so you will be just one more tourist.

Albatross_01

Thanks for reply, Carlosdca. I was trying to get a sense for the general level of tolerance, for example if I were to host a local guy in my hotel room or go out together.

ajeleonard

The scene is completely underground so your chances of meeting that local guy are limited, but if you did then surely he is a better guide of what is acceptable.

Dieuwer

If you want to visit Oman for its culture, sure. However, if you are looking for a "gay vacation" I suggest going somewhere else.

carlosdca

I don't think it will be easy to meet a local guy, you should lower your expectations in that regard.

It will be easier to hook up with an expat roaming the gay apps (for which you will need a VPN since gay apps are blocked).

If you go out with another guy to a restaurant (pretty much, all you can do in Oman), it would be like me and my colleague (two males) going out to eat any other night, which we did everyday we were there. Nothing unusual about two men going out to dinner together.

It is not uncommon to see a bunch of men together at a restaurant hanging out. Of course, all locals dress like this:


Now, I don't know what people would think if they see someone with jeans and t-shirt hanging out with a local dressed in traditional clothes.

As far as hotels, hotels are big. Most hotels require a room key to operate the elevator, so you will need to go down to the hotel lobby/restaurant/bar to get your guest and escort him to your room.

Hotels are usually pretty busy, so nobody will notice that you are going up the elevator with a stranger.

But again, Oman is the wrong place to go if you expect an occasional hook-up to supplement your tourist activities.

djjaguar64

I think you'l be fine just wear one of the gowns as shown above and you'll blend in.

entropy

If you want to go to the middle east and not have to worry about having issues being gay, go to Tel Aviv.

gfunkdave

My thoughts exactly. You can march in the pride parade in Tel Aviv, which is orders of magnitude more than you can do anywhere else in the middle east.

BCH

+1.

I've been to half-dozen Muslim-majority countries (in the Middle East and Central Asia) and not one of them is actually overtly welcoming of LGBT tourists. And if you get entrapped or caught, then you face frequently-implemented criminal penalties. Don't risk it.

JVPhoto

Hook up with some guy. He feels guilty afterwards. Rats you out to the police to make himself feel better. You're there on your own and the one in trouble. @:-)

keitherson

I had a lot of fun in Oman. It's much more authentic than the rest of the Gulf states, and the most liberal, relatively. Don't expect gay nightclubs, or anything openly gay. Even Western music and nightclubs are being shunned as the government is grappling with a conservative turn. Muscat is quite sprawled out, and relatively inaccessible without a car, and nightlife is pretty abysmal.

And yes, the sultan is gay.

michael_v

How about two gay males not wanting to hookup with anyone else and just sharing a hotel room with one bed? Is it tolerated? But still officially against the law?

Holiday2019

hey
at first moment arabic countries and the emirates are known to be homophobic, not gay friendly...
but for me the most gayest countriesare just these places. Here in Europe people go to gaybars, gayclubs, gaycruising places, and during the day no more cruising.
in the emirates, guys have eyecontact, are cruising at the beach and in fitnessclubs and spa’s and shoppingmalls...

i had phone nrs written on the back of my bill in restaurant and shops, no countries where guys watch each other more in the eyes than there...

in oman, i walked at night in front of the Intercontinental hotel, there were lot of guys walking and cruising there. I crossed a guy and he lifted his dress to show his dick....

it s all hidden but you can have much boy fun !!

in dubai, Grindr is blocked , but use VPN and it s working.

in all hotels, restaurants and shops you find gays....

see also ‘ happy ending and spa’ in this forum....

enjoy !