Crossdressers Arrested In Bahrain

International News, By Christian Taylor, 6th January, 2010

Nine Arab “crossdressers” were arrested in Bahrain on New Year’s Eve, where homosexuality is illegal. They’ve been charged with public debauchery.

According to the Gulf News, the men will face court after the public prosecution’s investigation is complete. The men were arrested in a disco in Manama, and were “heavily made-up and wearing provocative outfits” and according to the charges were “soliciting revelers at the disco”. Police said that some of the men had altered their appearance through plastic surgery.

According to American gay site Towleroad.com, Bahrain has in the past proposed surveillance of hairdressing salons and beauty and massage spas as well as the monitoring of students in order to punish those who appear to have homosexual tendencies.

Early last year there was a proposal put forward to intercept gay people at airports, to stop them entering Bahrain.

Your Thoughts

Travis de Jonk

said on the 6th Jan, 2010

I need to check out the full story, but those involved must have been pretty out there to attrach that much attention. I lived in Bahrain for 2 years, and it's really not that bad. Unless of course things have gotten much worse since I've been gone. Seriously though, it's a muslim country, should we be shocked? Women arn't even allowed to wear or behave in a provocative manner there!

Christian Taylor

said on the 6th Jan, 2010

Full story is here - it's not been widely reported at all.

futuriza

said on the 8th Jan, 2010

I agree with Travis. It's not a suprise. It sucks that these kind of laws exist, bit they do and everyone needs to be carefull.

marky markywicz

said on the 8th Jan, 2010

Homosexuality and even crossdressing to a degree is rife in the Arab world. Much of it is done very discreetly. I am shocked to read this group was out at a night club soliciting. (if you can believe the report)

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