UAE denies forcing hormone treatment on gays

News 2005-12-01 UAE denies forcing hormone treatment on gays United Arab Emirates officials deny that gay men arrested at a same-sex wedding were subjected to hormone treatments.

Officials for the United Arab Emirates denied Wednesday that they would force a group of gay men arrested during a same-sex wedding ceremony to take hormone therapy, Agence France-Presse reports. "There will be no forced hormone treatment," an interior ministry official told the French wire service. He did, however, say the therapy was optional.

Twenty-six men were arrested a week ago when police raided a same-sex wedding in a hotel in a desert resort town. Police say the men were wearing wedding attire, including wedding gowns, when they were arrested, according to the wire service. They face flogging and up to five years in jail if convicted of homosexuality.

After the arrests a police official had told reporters that the courts could order hormone treatment if the men are convicted. But the interior ministry said the treatment would be optional, according to the wire service. "The judiciary as an independent authority is the only entity that has the right to issue the appropriate ruling in this case," said a ministry official who spoke on a condition of anonymity.

The U.S. State Department has condemned the arrests. (Advocate.com)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (0) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

More Online Only

Film Awards Shows Gone Gay

From Rob Lowe singing with Snow White to Madonna and Britney swapping spit, Adam Lambert's racy AMA performance reminded us of some of the great gay moments in awards-show history.

DVDs Hot Sheet: Rihanna, New Moon

Whether you spend your time jamming to Rihanna's Chris Brown kiss-off "Russian Roulette," in theaters with those lusty male vampires- or curled up on the couch with Scarlett O'Hara, it's a packed week in entertainment.

Washington D C View From Washington: The DADT Shuffle

A gay White House employee offered his very first interviews to the LGBT press while Congress took one step forward and one step back on "don't ask, don't tell" repeal in 2010.

Art The Kids Are All Right
Photographer Jeffrey Kilmer has dedicated the last seven years to capturing the awkwardness, rebellion, and personal style of young men across the country and around the world. His book, 23% PURE, is a collection of hot guys, far and wide.

Film Teen Spirit

While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

Politicians L.A. Confidential

What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.

Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

Music France's Latest Export

He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

Prevention New Breast Health Rules Leave Out Lesbians

Now that new government guidelines are out on how to best care for your breasts, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender women are left with a lot of questions.

Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

Theater Puppet Masters

When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

News Softball With Oprah and Palin

Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

News View From Washington: Frank Tells

This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.