The dark side of Dubai: LGBTQ live on the edge here, gender inequality in the country is also evidenced by the story of a young model
In the United Arab Emirates, there is a city full of luxury, opportunities, and expensive cars. Dubai is often presented as an advertisement for a better, happier, and mainly more successful life. It is a dream of many and a dreamed-about vacation for others. From a small village, it has become a giant dominant of the entire Emirates over the years. Burj Khalifa, the desert, Dubai Mall, or for example an island in the shape of a palm, these attract tourists from around the world. At first glance, an idyllic place. But is it really so?
Travel bucket lists are full of Dubai. Everyone wants to see and visit it, except for those who shudder at the thought of a super modern city built in the middle of a desert. Many people flatly refuse to entertain the idea of heading towards such an attractive destination. And there might be something to it. Those who look beyond social networks will soon realize what might not appear as it seems at first glance.
Here, freedom and rights, despite the status of a safe haven, mean something completely different than in the western world. This is associated with the very unequal chances of local residents and some overlooked non(visible) castes, which are mixing with life here. Dubai is also not the best place for every tourist. The repression of the queer community and its significant non-understanding could not provide members of the LGBTQ community with the best experience.
Habibi come to Dubai
A trend that circulated the entire internet for a very long time. With the words Habibi, come to Dubai, mostly men invited female viewers and possibly even male viewers to visit the city. What didn't make it into the video, however, were the crazy conditions that women have to face.
Sex outside of marriage is illegal for women there, even in the case of rape. Therefore, women are often afraid to report an attack at all, to avoid getting into trouble themselves. This is particularly true for women born in the Emirates, but even tourists cannot be sure of fair treatment. Women in Dubai also must have a male guardian who essentially controls their entire life. For instance, they can forget about getting a divorce or leaving the country without consent.
A big phenomenon are also men from the highest caste, who pay foreigners to fly in and do whatever they want with them. They offer hard to refuse money in exchange for a night. There are also cases that end up in forced and unwanted sexual labor due to false information.
Mutilated Model
One such case occurred earlier this year, when a Ukrainian model was found drugged and mutilated by the roadside after several days of searching. The Onlyfans creator had suffered fractures to her spine, arms, and legs.
Dubai police claimed that the injuries were the result of a fall from a great height. This was dismissed by both her family and the general public. After her recovery, Maria herself spoke up, alleging that she was tortured and then forced into silence by the local police.
Love as a sin?
Public affection can be a problem for heterosexual couples as well. For homosexuals, or people who fall into the LGBTQ community, however, it is illegal, even if just for their existence. According to the law, they should face deportation or public whipping. This doesn't quite work in practice due to the massive influx of tourists. But you probably won't find an openly differently oriented Emirati in Dubai.
Researcher Ryan Centner also conducted his own survey on this topic. With some caution, he managed to get into specific circles and thus brought the situation closer to the global audience.
"You constantly have a bad feeling. You watch out for who is invited or stands behind the door or just listens. You try not to get into trouble,"
Ryan stated as part of a study by the London School of Economics and Political Science.
"Although homosexuality is illegal in Dubai, Dubai itself does not want to appear strictly against gays. In reality, however, you still feel on edge there."
In his work, he also states that wealth and privilege can provide some people with more freedom. There, according to him, there is usually unaware, but often deliberate exclusion of the rest of queer people who are not like them.
This essentially refers not only to the situation of homosexuals in Dubai, but to the problems of the city as such. Dubai can indeed be that dreamy housing if you have enough finances, respect, and are a heterosexual man.
Sources: author's text, Tadeas, Newstream, People, Youtube, LSE, cnn.iprima, Onefamilyoffice
