The new Moroccan magazine (premiering earlier this month and published, in Arabic, by editors in Madrid) is titled Mithly, which translates from Arabic to English as “gay.” Innovative! (But no more innovative than Out There, the new bi-annual “homoculture” journal.) But maybe, while North America and Western Europe shrug at the word “gay,” it’s still nom de controversy, as Morrocan conservatives are apparently losing their shit over it.
[Bay Windows, Mask]
Sam
This coming from a blog called Queerty? What, you think the extra “ty” at the end there absolves you?
Rashid
I’m an Arabic native speaker. The Arabic word mithly-aljins (???? ?????) is the politically correct term that literally means ‘homo-sexual.’ The ‘mithy’ part of the arabic word corresponds to ‘homo’ which means ‘just like’ or ‘same as’ in Arabic. When taken out of context, the word ‘mithly’ actually means ‘just like me,’ making the name of the magazine somewhat of a play on words.
Rashid
Never mind, the Arabic text cam out as question marks.
Chris
Predictable would be “‘Mo Rocco”. Queerty fail!
zenflo
Allah have mercy! What are the chances you could get a bit more of that poster guy into your “Pics & Clips” section???
EdWoody
@Rashid: Thank you for educating the ignorant Americans.
Soakman
I think it’s safe to say that Americans aren’t the only ones who don’t know Arabic, EdWoody. And, yes, thanks Rashid. That’s actually really interesting. The play on words I mean.
ADIL
even the king of Morocco is gay so what is the problem ? beeing gay is not a crime even in an islamic country come on people .
author30
The term Mithly has only recently gained popularity in the Arab world and now functions the way the word “gay” does in the West. The term Mithly (feminine is Mithliyya; i.e lesbian)replaces old, bigoted terms that were once derived to denote homosexuals.
It is refereshing to see a magazine that deals with gay issues in the Arab world–and from the Arab world–calling itself by that empowering title so proudly.
andrew
@ADIL
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Morocco and can be punished with anything from 6 months to 3 years imprisonment and a fine of 120 to 1200 dirhams.