This paper will give a general socio-political analysis of homosexuality in Jordan in order to raise awareness of the universal need for LGBT rights. It will be examined how, despite the attempt of Professor Joseph Massad to claim otherwise, there are indeed homosexuals in Jordan and they are oppressed. It will be shown that despite Jordan being the most gay-friendly country in the Middle East, and the only Arab country where homosexuality is technically legal, the situation is less than ideal. Honour killings are still common and only lightly prosecuted, police crackdowns are common, and the pressure from family and society is massive. The coverage of homosexuality in the Jordanian press is almost entirely negative, associating homosexuality with moral decay and perversion.
Table of Contents
1. Joseph Massad – a Jordanian Scholar and university professor who denies the existence of homosexuals in the Middle East
2. The legal situation of homosexuality in Jordan, oppression and honour-killings
3. Visibility of Homosexuality in Jordan
3.1. Press coverage of Homosexuality in Jordan
3.1.1. Terminology used in the Jordanian press to refer to homosexuality
3.1.2. Jordanian newspapers and their coverage of homosexuality
3.2. The Jordanian gay scene
Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This work provides a critical socio-political analysis of the existence and lived reality of homosexuals in Jordan, challenging the claims of scholars like Joseph Massad who argue that homosexuality is a non-existent, Western-imposed construct in the Arab world.
- Examination of the socio-political status and legal framework regarding homosexuality in Jordan.
- Critical analysis of Joseph Massad's academic arguments in "Desiring Arabs".
- Investigation of the impact of honor-shame culture and family violence on LGBT individuals.
- Assessment of media representation and the linguistic framing of homosexuality in Jordanian press.
- Documentation of the emerging, albeit underground, gay scene in Amman and the role of the internet.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. THE LEGAL SITUATION OF HOMOSEXUALITY IN JORDAN
Jordanian has roughly 6.400.000 inhabitants of which over 90% are Sunni Muslims. Besides Turkey (where discrimination against homosexuals is also common) it is the only Muslim majority country which does not criminalise homosexuality and it is the only Arab country in which homosexuality is not illegal.
The Jordanian civil code is mainly based on the Mejelle, the Ottoman civil code, but it suggests the use of Sharia law if the court finds no provision in the civil code.
The sentences for homosexual activity differ widely in each Islamic law school. However all four mayor Sunni law schools find it to be illegal. The Habali Law School calls for stoning of homosexuals. The Sharia law school, which would be relied on in Jordan in case the civil code can’t be applied, the Hanbali school, does not necessarily require physical punishment for this matter, so that the punishment is up to judge. Customary penalties include reprimand, imprisonment, flogging and banishment.
In 1951, a revision of the national criminal code decriminalised private, non-commercial and consensual same sex-relationships with the age of consent set at 16. Jordan is now one of the few countries in the Middle East where homosexuality is legal. As it is illustrated in the map below in all other countries of the Arab world, homosexuality is charged with heavy penalties, sometimes even the death-penalty.
Summary of Chapters
1. Joseph Massad – a Jordanian Scholar and university professor who denies the existence of homosexuals in the Middle East: The author evaluates and critiques Joseph Massad’s book "Desiring Arabs," arguing that his denial of the existence of homosexuals in the Arab world is factually incorrect and potentially harmful.
2. The legal situation of homosexuality in Jordan, oppression and honour-killings: This section details the technical legality of same-sex relations in Jordan while highlighting the intense social and familial oppression, including the prevalence of honor killings and the conservative nature of Jordanian society.
3. Visibility of Homosexuality in Jordan: This chapter analyzes how Jordanian media portrays homosexuality, usually through a lens of negative stigma, and describes the development of an underground gay scene in Amman fueled by internet access.
Conclusion: The author synthesizes the findings, reaffirming that homosexuality exists in Jordan despite societal denial and calling for greater recognition and protection of LGBT rights.
Keywords
Jordan, Homosexuality, Joseph Massad, Desiring Arabs, Arab World, LGBT Rights, Honor Killings, Shame Culture, Islam, Jordanian Press, Social Oppression, Amman, Sexual Orientation, Human Rights, Gay Scene
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this publication?
The publication analyzes the socio-political landscape for homosexuals in Jordan, specifically examining the disconnect between the legal status of homosexuality and the intense social and familial oppression faced by LGBT individuals.
What are the primary themes discussed in the work?
Key themes include the critique of academic denial regarding homosexuality in the Middle East, the intersection of honor culture and violence, media framing, and the digital evolution of an underground LGBT community.
What is the author's primary research goal?
The goal is to provide a realistic, evidence-based account of the lives of homosexuals in Jordan to counter ideological claims that homosexuality is a Western conspiracy that does not exist among Arabs.
Which scientific method is applied in this analysis?
The work utilizes a socio-political analysis, combining a critical review of academic literature (specifically Joseph Massad's work) with an empirical look at Jordanian media coverage and documented human rights cases.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body treats the legal status of homosexuality in Jordan, the sociological impact of the honor/shame culture, the role of Islamic interpretations, and an analysis of press coverage and the gay scene in Amman.
Which keywords define this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as Jordan, Homosexuality, LGBT rights, Honor killings, Social oppression, and Media representation.
How does the author specifically criticize Joseph Massad?
The author argues that Massad’s thesis—that gay identity is a Western imposition—is not only factually wrong but creates a dangerous environment that ignores the suffering of real individuals who face persecution for their sexuality.
What is the significance of the "honour-shame" culture mentioned in the text?
The text explains that this culture forces individuals to hide their sexual orientation to protect their family's reputation, as homosexuality is perceived as a stain that brings disgrace, often leading to vigilante violence or family estrangement.
- Citar trabajo
- Eva Hilskamp (Autor), 2013, A Socio-Political Analysis of Homosexuality in Jordan, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/265679
