Beirut, the new Provincetown?

[edjames]

In a most unusual travel article, today's NY Times focuses on Beirut as the new Provincetown of the Middle East!

 

Apparently it has a thriving gay scene and is a new gay travel destination of many gays in the Middle East and Europe.

 

It certainly peaked my interest!

 

ED

 

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/travel/02gaybeirut.html?ref=travel

[Karl-G]

Beirut

 

Yes, it is a very long, thorough, detailed account of some prominent gay and/or gay friendly bars and hotels in Beirut and the general ambience of the city and country. It is nice to see that Arab men do have some place where they can go to be among other gays, and European men who enjoy Arabs can also go and meet them. Beirut was once a vital, international center for society and education in the Middle East. It has suffered greatly over the past years, but it sounds like a revival may be taking place.

[KMEM]

In a most unusual travel article, today's NY Times focuses on Beirut as the new Provincetown of the Middle East!

 

Apparently it has a thriving gay scene and is a new gay travel destination of many gays in the Middle East and Europe.

 

It certainly peaked my interest!

 

ED

 

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/08/02/travel/02gaybeirut.html?ref=travel

 

Where are you headed with your peaked interest? Mount Ararat? No, wait, that is in Turkey.

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ purplekow]

It is an interesting article but it did not make me want to hop a plane to Lebanon. The article makes it clear that public displays of affection are dangerous and that even in clubs security may stop two people from kissing. It is less repressive than the rest of the Middle East and it is moving in the right direction, but Beirut is not yet on my itinery.

[Guest alanm]

Patrick Healy

 

Patrick Healy, the author of the article, is a very sexy 30 something New York Times reporter, who covered the '08 election and has now shifted over to writing about theater. I wonder if Patrick encountered much difficulty in researching the article?

[BgMstr4u]

I would have a concern visiting Beirut precisely because of this NY Times article. It is a pretty clear guide not only to tourists but also to religious anti-gay squads, acting in the same spirit as those who killed the other night in Tel Aviv. This is the Middle East, not Massachusetts. Spend your dollars where you're appreciated. And safe.

[+ Italiano]

Most probably Beirut has become the "gay mecca" for the Arab world, even with all limitations about public affection etc etc.

 

Nevertheless don't forget that in the Middle East (even if of course it's not an Arab city) Tel Aviv has been in the past 15 years in an increasing way a very liberal and gay friendly city, as much as known gay places in USA and Europe.

It doesn't happen very often in the world that a city has a gay beach in the middle of it!

Public affection among gay people is totally tollerated, and gay parades are a social event every summer for virtually all people.

 

What happened there 2 days ago is only the result of some crazy individuals, and we know that crazy individuals are everywhere.