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Outside of the confines of the Middle East, where homosexuality is still expressly forbidden, a new community is springing up at a nightclub in Berlin. The nightclub, SO36, hosts a monthly event called ‘Gayhane', which gives homosexual Muslims, mostly of Arab and Turkish descent, the opportunity to connect with others of similar backgrounds.

Gayhane at SO36 (from The New York Times)

Gayhane began in 1997 as the brain-child of transgendered performer Fatma Souad, who is originally from Ankara. The event immediately gained traction in spite of privacy concerns among guests, many of whom are still reluctant to divulge their true identities. Not surprising, given the sorts of social penalties Gayhane patrons would face if they were outed to their families and communities, in Berlin or their home countries. In interviews with the New York Times, club goers cited concerns ranging from ostracism by family members to death, as possibilities for being Muslim and homosexual.

The innovative idea of a club night for gay Muslims certainly makes sense in Berlin, and throughout Europe. Increased immigration from the Middle East and North Africa into Western Europe, mixed with liberal views regarding homosexuality, has created an environment in which immigrants can more freely express their sexual identities than in their home countries. While small groups of homosexual immigrants have long used the internet to organize, the involvement of a commercial establishment may mark the beginning of a culture that accepts and even caters to, niche immigrant groups. With almost 6% of Western Europe's population being made up of foreign nationals, it seems that this trend is one that is just beginning to take off.

Via: The New York Times

Lee Nunley
Middle Eastern Innovations Writer
InventorSpot.com