Being Gay in the Islamic State

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/being-gay-in-the-islamic-sta...

Tradition and scripture.

>1 richardbsmith: You might want to have a look at Brian Whitaker's Unspeakable love.

Also check out the website of the Rainbow Railroad, an organization helps get queer people at risk out of dangerous environments — which include Russia, Africa, and the Caribbean in addition to the Middle East. My church sponsors a number of these refugees.

Not just ISIS. sounds like police derogatory taunts, homophobic slurs, threats are the norm in Syria at least:

"The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has named single men identifying as gay, bisexual or transgender as among those who are most vulnerable in Syria and in need of urgent relocation to another country."
http://www.torontosun.com/2016/01/17/gay-syrian-refugee-relieved-to-be-in-canada...

The Kite Runner, though, left me thinking man-boy arrangements were not uncommon and even winked at in some Afghan circles?

>3 margd: man-boy arrangements were not uncommon and even winked at in some Afghan circles?

I haven't read The Kite Runner, but are you talking about this?

the practice of bacha bazi

Yes. "...the sexual act is...far more ethical than defiling a woman" reminded me of another culture (mine) where strict views on chastity and celibacy, plus power, apparently led to eruption of pedophilia.