LGBT in the Emirates
 

Homosexuality remains illegal and highly taboo in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While Dubai and other emirates project an image of modernity and progress, the country’s laws and societal attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community remain harsh and discriminatory.
 

Many LGBTQ+ individuals visit Dubai or the UAE for work, tourism, or transit. However, it is crucial to be aware of the legal and social risks of being openly gay in the region. The UAE’s strict legal framework criminalises homosexuality, with punishments ranging from imprisonment and fines to deportation and, in extreme cases, the death penalty under federal laws.
 

Legal Framework and Risks
 

The UAE Penal Code criminalises same-sex relationships, with penalties varying by emirate. Article 354 of the UAE Federal Penal Code historically stated that "whoever commits rape on a female or sodomy with a male shall be punishable by death," though its enforcement in modern cases is unclear. Additionally, Dubai’s Penal Code (Article 177) punishes consensual sodomy with up to 10 years in prison. Translations of UAE legal texts are inconsistent, making it difficult for non-Arabic speakers to fully understand the risks.
 

LGBTQ+ individuals must also be aware that laws regarding public decency and morality are broad and loosely defined. Displays of affection, cross-dressing, or suggestive behaviour can result in legal action. Foreigners have been arrested, imprisoned, or deported for acts perceived as violating these moral codes. The government actively censors LGBTQ+ content online, restricting access to websites that discuss LGBTQ+ rights, relationships, or communities.
 

The Underground Scene
 

Despite the risks, there is a hidden LGBTQ+ community in Dubai and other major cities. Unofficial gay-friendly venues exist, but they are constantly under surveillance and subject to police raids. Reports suggest that authorities sometimes use entrapment tactics, such as monitoring dating apps or chat rooms to lure and arrest individuals. Fundamentalist vigilantes have also been known to pose as LGBTQ+ individuals online, setting up meetings and then reporting people to the police.
 

Notable Cases of Persecution
 

There have been multiple cases of LGBTQ+ individuals facing legal consequences in the UAE, including:
 

• 2005: Authorities arrested 26 men at a private gathering in Dubai. Some were sentenced to five years in prison and given hormone therapy as a supposed "treatment" for homosexuality.

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• 2007: A 15-year-old French boy was raped by three Emirati men. Instead of receiving justice, he was threatened with criminal charges for homosexual activity.

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• 2008: Seventeen men were arrested for cross-dressing and alleged homosexual behaviour. They were later deported.

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• 2009: A Canadian couple was detained for 28 days after authorities allegedly targeted them for being gay. They were imprisoned in poor conditions and denied legal representation.

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• 2010: A Syrian prisoner who reported being raped by seven inmates withdrew his complaint after facing pressure. Instead, one of his attackers was convicted of "consensual" homosexual activity, highlighting how the legal system fails victims of sexual violence.​​

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• Singaporean Nationals Arrested for Cross-Dressing (2017): In August 2017, two Singaporean citizens—fashion photographer Muhammad Fadli Abdul Rahman and his friend, transgender woman Nur Qistina Fitriah Ibrahim—were arrested in Abu Dhabi for wearing women's clothing. They were initially sentenced to one year in prison but later had their sentences reduced to fines and deportation.

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• Deportation of Feminine Men: There have been multiple accounts of men perceived as "too feminine" being deported from the UAE without any clear explanation, even after living and working there for years.

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• Deportation of Transgender Individuals: Several transgender individuals have been detained and deported from the UAE. In 2022, Thai transgender model Rachaya Noppakaroon was detained at Dubai International Airport due to her passport listing her gender as male. She endured a nine-hour interrogation before being sent back to Thailand.

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Radha Stirling's Advocacy and Perspective
 

Radha Stirling, founder and CEO of Detained in Dubai, has been a prominent advocate for individuals facing legal challenges in the UAE, particularly those related to the country's stringent laws on homosexuality and gender expression. She has highlighted several cases that underscore the risks LGBTQ+ individuals may encounter in the region.
 

Radha Stirling has been vocal about the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the UAE. She stated:

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"Homosexuality is illegal in the UAE, with punishments ranging from serious jail terms to a death sentence. Any expression of an LGBT identity, or of being in any sort of LGBT relationship, is strictly forbidden in the Emirates."
 

Stirling has also expressed concern over the misconception that Dubai is lenient towards LGBTQ+ individuals, emphasising that the arbitrary enforcement of laws makes the city particularly risky:

 

"It is risky to live in a country under these circumstances, and the community is blasé about the threat they face, largely due to social media. It’s easy to be persuaded that Dubai doesn’t enforce existing laws, but that simply isn’t the case."
 

Through her advocacy, Radha Stirling continues to shed light on the legal perils faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the UAE and urges caution for those considering travel or residence in the region.
 

Internet Censorship and Surveillance
 

The UAE government heavily censors online content, blocking access to LGBTQ+ websites, forums, and dating platforms. The country’s only internet provider operates a proxy server that filters content deemed "immoral." Authorities also monitor online activity, including chat rooms and social media, to identify individuals engaged in discussions about LGBTQ+ issues.
 

Final Thoughts
 

While Dubai and the UAE offer luxury, business opportunities, and tourism attractions, they remain deeply conservative in matters of personal freedom and human rights. LGBTQ+ individuals must take extreme precautions when travelling to or residing in the UAE. The risk of persecution, arbitrary detention, and discrimination remains a reality for many, making awareness and caution essential.