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Pensioner jailed for being gay..
exlordlucan
Posts: 35,375 Forum Member
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This was on our local news earlier and according to reports in other links he and his friend were arrested while standing together at a bus stop - yeah a sure sign of being gay huh?!.
His phone was later checked and a photo was found as 'proof' of homosexuality and they then went through his emails, facebook etc for further 'proof' to secure a conviction, the pair got four months.
It was in Morocco btw and yeah blah blah blah "their rules etc " but no that is not on at all and especially by the fact the couple were just standing at a friggin bus stop.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/06/ray-coles-son-campaign-release-moroccan-prison-homosexual-acts
There's a bit in the link about him not having a wash for ages because it’s illegal to be naked in front of other people, whatever next!
His phone was later checked and a photo was found as 'proof' of homosexuality and they then went through his emails, facebook etc for further 'proof' to secure a conviction, the pair got four months.
It was in Morocco btw and yeah blah blah blah "their rules etc " but no that is not on at all and especially by the fact the couple were just standing at a friggin bus stop.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/06/ray-coles-son-campaign-release-moroccan-prison-homosexual-acts
There's a bit in the link about him not having a wash for ages because it’s illegal to be naked in front of other people, whatever next!
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Sounds like they're bang to rights, anyway. Have you never heard the phrase: "as gay as a man at a bus stop"?
But I just cut my bus pass in half.
It's interesting that they are vociferoulsy defensive of the rights of women and gay people in western culture, but defend the rights of muslims who oppress them.
Genuine query
Sadly, it appears that he WAS caught bang to rights, having arranged to meet his Moroccan partner online, then duly travelling to Morroco to see him. I can see that it is heart-breaking for his family, especially the gay son who dare not visit him, but hopefully he will survive the 4 months and come home OK.
Now I'm going to harden my heart and say something a wee bit unsympathetic about Mr Cole, who I really do hope will emerge safe and well from all this. By arranging a gay link-up in a country where homosexuality is illegal, he potentially put the other man in greater danger than he put himself. Jam Wald Nass was never going to be offered any consular assistance, and could easily come out of prison to find himself socially outcast and unable to get a job.
There is a small positive in the Tory MP describing the Moroccan laws as 'medieval'; I am old enough to remember when Tory MP's supported the very same laws themselves.
And here we have it.
It's his fault for being gay in an islamic country.
I predicted this earlier in the thread.
What should we do? Air strikes? Boots on the Ground? Sanctions?
Consistency would be a start.
"Friend" <nudge nudge, wink wink>
👬
It's not just that, the guy has put a non Brit in danger - how dare he.
It seems gay love is ok as long as you keep it at home and stick to your own nationals.
And it doesn't involve the possibility of having to crticise islamic culture.
The world's a strange place.
What, you predicted that you woud post a sneering reply that bore no relation to the post you were pretending to reply to? I don't see you saying that?
No one has blamed anyone for 'being gay in an Islamic country', don't be so fatuous. I did express a very mildly phrased criticism at someone travelling TO an Islamic country to have a relationship with someone living there, having arranged to do so online. And I stand by that. Mr Cole was taking a risk, which, as an adult, he is fully entitled to do. But he was arranging for Mr Wald Nass, a man who presumably has far fewer opprtunities to express his sexuality, to take a much greater risk.
You're making excuses for their prejudices against gay people.
You wouldn't allow it in western culture. Why do you tolerate it in islam?
I know Dave is desperate for the Tories to be cool with gay people but he wouldn't go that far. ;-)
Gone mad? I have done absolutely no such thing. Why do you KEEP pretending |I have said something completely different from anything I have said?
I have never and will never make excuses for any country imprisoning people for being gay. There is no reason why you should have any idea of my general views, but if you did you would not dream of suggesting it.
While I do understand the "when in Rome" viewpoint, there was no hint of sympathy in any of the comments; just very hard nosed "well, he should have known better" comments. Which -- in my opinion -- is almost voicing support for Morocco's stance.
Awful story though and I really hope that something can be figured out to help this man out.
Exhibit A
Agreed. I wonder if it would be the same reaction if the case were different? Like if a pretty blond woman from the home counties didn't cover her face well enough in Saudi Arabia and was going to get the lash. I'm sure the Mail readers would be well pissed.
It's like 1950s Britain.
Actually, scrub that. Wasn't there something about 10 years ago about some gay men in Bolton who ended up in prison for doing gay things?
I see your point even if the terminally offended members of this forum refuse to.
He took a big risk going to an Islamic country where homosexuality is illegal. Yes, their laws are absurd, but these are their laws nevertheless. Sure, he has the moral highground, but that won't get him very far in this instance.
I would hope that our government are able to secure his release.