Unless nurse Stephen Comiskey left Saudi Arabia, he was going to have his head cut off. So threatened police in the Arab state against the gay Brit, who was lured into an ambush by officials who texted him, posing as a friend. In custody, Comiskey was beaten and told he would face charges of homosexuality, which can carry the death sentence there. He was also forced to sign a confession, written in Arabic (which he doesn’t understand), admitting to his gay guilt. With his passport confiscated, Comiskey couldn’t leave the country after his release, and spent six months wondering whether taking a job at King Fahad National Guard Hospital in Riyadh would leave to his execution. Six months later, after lengthy diplomatic talks between British and Saudi officials, Comiskey was allowed to return home. “You have to understand Sharia law to know what I’ve been through,” he says now. “I’ve learned that you don’t mess with these people – you cannot offend their culture or their law.” Except Comiskey says he never broke the law and never “flaunted” his sexuality. So why did he get targeted?
Because of some link to Saudi Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, the 34-year-old sentenced to life in prison by a British court for the brutal murder of his servant and lover. Was it retribution for Britain outing a Saudi royal? The Sun says that’s possible:
Diplomats believe his arrest was linked to the case of gay Saudi Prince Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, 34. He was jailed for life last year for killing his servant Bandar Abdulaziz in a London hotel. Saudi authorities are understood to have lobbied for the prince’s homosexuality to be kept secret at his trial to avoid embarrassment at home. But British legal chiefs refused, saying his sexuality was key to the case. Foreign Office chiefs fear Stephen was targeted in a tit-for-tat revenge.
Glad you’re home safe, Stephen.
scott ny'er
crazy. Seriously, LGBT should really avoid these homophobic countries ala Jamaica, etc. It’s not an effin’ joke. Or be prepared to be celibate.
Scott in NYC
You can either live in the dreamworld that somehow liberalism and Middle East theocracies can coexist or you live with your eyes open.
Adonis-of-Fire
All of the middle east is a giant shit hole. I think we gays should become more aggressive towards those who opress us…blow up the big black rock in mecca perhaps?
SteveC
I wonder why our good friend and ally Saudi Arabia escapes the international condemnation that Iran gets.
Saudi Arabia is a hellish dump (not just for gayfolk, even moreso for women – women aren’t allowed to drive, earn a wage -unless their husband permits them -, divorce, or be seen in public without a male chaperone who is related or married to her.
I guess the fact that they sell us oil, on our terms mean that we can ignore the horrific regime in operation there.
Saudi Arabia is even worse than Iran when it comes to human rights. Saudi Arabia should be subject to the same sanctions as Iran is.
Then again – let’s just ignore it. After all, oil is clearly more important to our government.
MoMan
So where’s all the pro-Muslim outrage that regularly pops up on this web site when the subject comes up? Every time I’ve suggested that Muslims would rather see us dead than live alongside us, I get the same old “You’re a racist!” whining from every gay man on Queerty. I’m not a racist, I’m a realist, and if you reach out to Arab nations in search of compassion, you’re an ignorant fool who bases your reality on feelings rather than facts.
And if you’re that stupid, well, then, off with your head.
ousslander
@MoMan: you racist! didn’t want you to be disappointed.
Sharia coming to your home town and if you don’t like it, they’ll just kill you.
SteveC
The only way that these muslim nations are going to get into the 21st century is if women in these countries gain their rights. Until women get some independence, gay rights are dead in these countries.
Turkey is the prime example. It’s a muslim country and a secular democracy, where women are allowed to vote, work etc. And it’s the only muslim country where gay people have some degree of freedom.
former banker.
The male Saudi royals are, generally speaking, hypocritical pigs.
Having worked for several of the families in Jeddah, London, and Monte Carlo, I know that most of them miss prayers, drink, swear, gamble, fuck around, hire prostitutes (3-4 at a time, just like Charlie Sheen! woohoo!) and only hold to Sharia when they are home in Saudi (and even then, not so much … behind closed doors.)
I finally told them to fuck off after seeing a highly refined and respected Prince slap a servant. Wish I’d done it sooner.
Islam is evil.
The sane Francis
The thing that needs to happen is there being a worldwide message sent from leaders of countries that are actually somewhat enlightened that the abuse of human rights in these backwards as hell Caribbean/Middle Eastern/African/Asian countries is wrong, is reprehensible, is unacceptable, and there will be punishment if they continue. Unfortunately, people are more concerned with “offending” these animals’ (and by animals, I mean the trash that commits crimes like these, obviously not the entire populations) “culture” and “values”, then actually speaking out against their actions and doing the right thing. People don’t want to offend them and be labeled racist, or anti-Islam/Christian etc. Nothing is going to change until more people grow some balls and make change.
Ken S
@MoMan: “Every time I’ve suggested that Muslims would rather see us dead than live alongside us, I get the same old “You’re a racist!” whining from every gay man on Queerty.”
That’s clearly a stupid accusation for them to make in response. Since Islam/Muslim isn’t a “race.” :-/
Kent M
It was a mistranslation. They wanted him to give them head.
Kieran
And the University of Waterloo has a campus here. Intense.
james_from_cambridge
I too am shocked at the lack of a “our Christian loons are just like them” or “our country does the same thing!” Our Christian loons talk, their Islamic loons kill. Big difference. But then again, why is a gay man willingly going to Saudi Arabia? I get so pissed at idiots like him! He’s like those American morons who decided to go hiking in the mountains of Iraq and wandered into Iran, so our government had to spend time and resources (our taxpayer $$ no doubt) freeing their retarded behinds. I honestly think if you head to one of these hell holes, well, too bad. We shouldn’t spent one red cent to free you so you can come back and add to the growing Idiocracy.
That Bitch Téa Delgado
Ken S. is right. It’s the religion that’s evil, not the people, who have been brainwashed by the religion.
Montezu
Here’s the typical reaction of the gay ghetto man who has moved to Manhattan from somewhere else to a story like this : a blank stare, and then , “So what??!! Christians try to behead us all the time in this country too!! Now where is my scotch?”
BenFrankly
Its really a shame that such an oppressive country is allowed to exist. The Muslim religion in this instance is clearly shown to be the false religion that it is. Its a canker sore on the body of humanity. Not only that but when you force someone to sign a confession by using torture and make them sign the confession in Arabic which he doesn’t speak or understand they just show us what sub human monsters the Saudi religious nutters really are. My wish is that they learn to be humans, or that they be wiped from the face of the earth.
Oprah
Any one who leaves the comforts of their home and flies into a frying pan should not campaign for our sympathies. Gay or not. LOL
Montezu
There is SOME truth to that, Oprah.
?????? ?????
It was a mistranslation. They wanted him to give them head.
TTT
@Adonis-of-Fire: I agree with that. I think it’s obvious that these people just want to kill us all.
gaymuslim
I don’t know if even commenting on this post will do anything but give the haters something to yell at, but just felt like doing it anyway.
As most of you know, the Saudi government and the religious authority there is very corrupt and highly biggoted. So, anything they do should not be a reflection of the teachings of Islam. The whole killing/jailing of gay people actually comes from incorrect interpretations/colonial influence. Often, muslim countries associate being gay with “causing trouble” in society. Almost on the level of a heretic. One of the more extreme punishments for that is death (not every muslim agrees with that point of view by the way).
Many muslims still want to treat things through old lenses, but that way of thinking is not going to be there forever. Most of that mentality comes from lack of proper education (for both men and women).
Before all of you go and say “Islam is evil” or “They are wanting to take over” please actually learn about Islamic teachings. That is like saying “I hate spinich” before trying it (lol, this was the first comparison that came to mind). I am not saying you have to agree with everything, but at least know the facts before attacking.
I mean, so many people attack gay people based on the same mentality, “gay people are evil” and “they want to convert our kids”. In addition, people on here also bash people who are Christian as well. What if someone who is gay and Christian or Muslim sees all the hate being said about their beliefs? Are they not more likely to have bad feelings towards gay people because their faith is under attack and reinforce the whole “gay people are bad” statement?
All I am saying is that instead of making blanket statements, know about what you are talking about. The world is harsh, I know that. Does not mean we need to make it worse by slandering each other. Just some thoughts from a proud gay muslim
Shannon1981
@gaymuslim: Listen, Christianity, Islam, and any number of organized religions ACTIVELY OPPRESS US. Just because there are people deluded enough to believe otherwise doesn’t erase the facts of what the powerful, organized versions of those religions have done and still do to us. How are we supposed to feel? You expect us to just let them attack us and not fight back? Don’t be an apologist for it. That makes you even worse than they are, because you should know better.
Shannon1981
damn html fail, sorry for the big bold block of text.
Shannon1981
maybe it’ll de bold itself now? Last try.
gaymuslim
@Shannon1981: Not trying to be an apologist. We should stand up for what we believe in, but we should not use the same tactics that our opressors use. It just causes us to go around in a never ending cycle.
Before anyone says anything, I know we must use similar tactics sometimes. In this case, it is just not needed.
Atheism is like homophobia: ego driven prejudice
Shannon1981
“Listen, Christianity, Islam, and any number of organized religions ACTIVELY OPPRESS US.”
No, some people from those religions actively oppress GLBTQ people. Other people from those religions actively work to end that oppression. Some atheists actively work to oppress GLBTQ people, and theoretically, some atheists work to end oppression.
But, atheism is a prejudice, and every time it is defended, all prejudices, including homophobia, are reinforced. So in the consequence, every atheist is actually actively working against GLBTQ people, people of color, and other oppressed minorities.
And it is extremely clear that atheists online are trying to hijack the fight for GLBTQ civil equality to press their hatred of most of humanity. While homophobia teaches hatred 10% of humanity, atheism promotes hatred 99% of humanity.
Atheism has no values to offer anyone except hatred for religion and people of faith.
Homosexuals were murdered under atheist regimes, by the standard used by atheists here, that makes every atheists a murdering homophobe. And atheists countries have horrific history of human rights abuse, Mao and Stalin killed millions upon millions of people in a very short period of time. Systemic atheism has been brutal and oppressive, and unlike religion, it contains no value to repudiate oppression of any kind against any one.
Atheism does not condemn murder.
Atheism does not condemn stealing.
Atheism does not condemn rape.
Atheism does not condemn telling lies.
The only thing atheism does condemn is systems of belief that do condemn murder, stealing, rape, lying, etc.
Shannon1981
@Atheism is like homophobia: ego driven prejudice: You’re an obvious religious zealot who hates anyone without a sky wizard, so no more needs to be said to you, you’re a waste of time and space.
@gaymuslim: if ur not trying to be an apologist, you sure as hell do come off that way.
Stop pretending your religion and others don’t do harm to the LGBTQPIA community, because they do. It is a FACT.
Shannon1981
@Atheism is like homophobia: ego driven prejudice: Why don’t you look up the religious beliefs of the members of NOM, FRC, Focus on the Family, and so on? I’d be willing to bet you won’t find atheists there. More than like Christians or some variation thereof. Now tell me, who does more harm?
Tallskin
Oh beejeezus, that nutty as a fruit cake (with all the fruit removed and only nuts remaining) Cassandra alias “Atheism is like homophobia: ego driven prejudice” is back again!
It must be day release at the mental institution she resides in.
The way she endlessly tries to relate religious bigotry to atheism just doesn’t get any clearer with its tedious repetition:she is like a bleedin’ stuck vinyl record: click, click, click, click, click, click.
It isn’t atheists who try and kill gays, condemn gays, cure gays, persecute gays etc etc.
I cannot remember seeing one anti gay story here on Queerty mentioning atheists.
But about 60% of stories on queerty do relate to religious nutters doing all these things.
Methinks there might be a pattern here.
Shannon
WHO CARES??? I can care LESS about those SAVAGES in the Middle EAST are doing!!!!
Mel
@Atheism is like homophobia: ego driven prejudice: You’re an idiot.
That is all.
Ted C.
The above poster is correct that atheism doesn’t condemn murder, etc. Atheism is not a system of morality. But most self-described atheists are also humanists, which is a system of morality. (Not all of them. Some atheists are nihilists.) Humanists would condemn murder, but nihilists probably don’t care.
And this is clearly a story about politics, corruption, and police abuse in a non-democratic state. Why are people interpreting this as a story about religion? You’d probably see similar cases in other non-democratic states, regardless or religion.
If Saudi Arabia really was on a quest to kill the queers, you’d see a hundred stories like this every day.
Christianity is like Astrology
it’s all in the stars! it’s your magical lucky charm jeebus and your taurus scorpio nature that cause christians to hate gays!!
pisces ascending is a very bad sign and god sends tornados and earthquakes to destroy homosexual places like japan.
we know how christians think :: they have been issued a license by god to oppress gay people….yada yadda yadda
Soupy
Cassandra, why do you keep changing your name? Are there still people stealing yours?
james_from_cambridge
Cassandra, bitch, too many of us know you and your religious lunacy to be fooled by your constant name changes! Aren’t you breaking some commandment by lying about who you are every time you show up here? Damn psycho!!!!
Smiles
Islam is not necessarily a bad thing, as Christianity too has its good and bad. I’m saying this as a non-religious person, and a non-theist who doesn’t hold much respect for any religion.
Some Muslims too are quite hot…and well hung…
That being said, any country with Sharia law is dangerous for us, and this nurse was completely naive (and blinded by dollar figures probably) to think otherwise. It’s like a country that takes the Ten Commandments literally, with torture or beheading as normal punishment…kind of like some places in the deep South. In the Arab world, places like Jamaica, and other gay-hell-holes, much of the problem has to do with a combination of ignorance and excessive testosterone, I think, instead of religion.
I agree that Islam in many places is corrupt and backward; but it hasn’t always been so – at times it was more tolerant than Christian Europe – and with its large diversity and increased communication, there is hope for the better aspects to win out.
Yes, there are monsters out there; but to label every Muslim a monster makes you one yourself.
B
No. 13 · james_from_cambridge wrote, “I too am shocked at the lack of a “our Christian loons are just like them” or “our country does the same thing!” Our Christian loons talk, their Islamic loons kill. Big difference.”
There’s less of a difference than you think as our Christian loons kill too: http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/nebraska-bill-could-legalize-killing-abortion-doctors/
Tallskin
A lecture for the hard of thinking ie Cassandra
This is what atheism is honeypie. Watch and learn.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/punctuated-equilibrium/2011/apr/03/1
“Surprisingly, many people don’t understand what an atheist is. This video explores that concept, refutes common objections and provides a number of reasons that atheists are sometimes “fervent”. But underneath it all, atheists all share one feature: a lack of belief in any gods or supernatural being(s):”
james_from_cambridge
@B: So one abortion murder is equal, in your mind, to the steady drumbeat of executions for gays and Women, officially and un-officially, in States like Iran, Saudi Arabia, etc. not to mention all the honor killings by family members, which those States don’t even prosecute. You’re dreaming if you think the Christian loons have power over us the way the Sharia freaks do over their Women and Gays.
jupiter
just to let you know Stephen never sold his story,he was not locked up for 6months,someone in Saudi found out about what happened and sold it to the Sun,he does not want sympathy but just to be left alone to get on with his life
Kayak
@Adonis-of-Fire: LOL, sure, that would solve everything, and never create more violence.
Rooney
There are over a hundred body bags with domestics shipped back out of Saudi Arabia to their home countries in South East Asia every month. If he’d been poor and financially dependent instead of just a gay with a government that looks after its own (usually), we’d never have heard from him again.
Mezaien
@Shannon1981: I have sent countless letters to the Israeli, government to exterminate all Muslim, and Christian in Israel. I hope one day before I die they will do it.