Gay Syrian refugee's hope of new life tested by Dutch camps

[FrodosPet]

The western world needs to educate refugees that intolerance, misogyny, and homophobia are unacceptable.

And while we are at it, educate plenty of homegrown Christians as well.

[hr]

http://news.yahoo.com/gay-syrian-refugees-hope-life-tested-dutch-camps-034324173.html

By Nicolas Delaunay

Amsterdam (AFP) - Omar had long dreamt of escaping discrimination in Syria, and drawn by exuberant images of the Gay Pride march in Amsterdam he hoped to find a new life in the Dutch city after fleeing war at home.

But four months after arriving in the Netherlands, the 20-year-old was shocked to find himself the victim of insults, taunts and intimidation from his fellow travelling companions.

~ snip ~

But he says he was insulted by other refugees. "They threatened to kill me, they told me I was the shame of the refugees, they pushed me in the queue to get coffee."

~ snip ~

According to the COC, an association working to defend gay rights, some gay refugees have had even worse experiences including being sexually abused. The Dutch daily AD reported some had their clothes set on fire or beds smeared with food and faeces.

~ snip ~

[LanternWaste]

1. And as soon as the western world fully learns that lesson as well, we most likely will.

"The western world needs to educate refugees that intolerance, misogyny, and homophobia are unacceptable."

And as soon as the western world fully learns that lesson as well, we most likely will.

[Bluenorthwest]

2. Personally I see it as the Heterosexual/Religious culture that needs to learn.

It's not really geographical.

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Yup!

Tired of all the excuses and the "well, they do it too" and "look! Over there!" bullshit.

[closeupready]

3. I'd love to meet Lianda - she's literally a lifesaver.

[Liejanda]

4. Well: here we go

Thanks! I'd love to meet you too .. Thanks for the kind words.

[closeupready]

5. Oh! Hugs and kisses, and a thousand thanks!

For saving the sanity of a kindred member of my GLBT community, and welcome to DU.

[Liejanda]

6. Not a problem ;)

The foremost reason for me to do this was because I hope that someone will do the same for me if I need this kind of help one day .

[closeupready]

9. ...

[Quantess]

8. Oh, like Scandinavia is the worst place for gays. Please!!!

Oh, I'm sure Denmark is more cruel to homosexuals than, say, Qatar. Saudia Arabia. Pakistan.

[FrodosPet]

10. It is The Netherlands (Holland)

It is not saying the country is homophobic. It is saying that being gay in a refugee camp is dangerous.

[smirkymonkey]

12. Yeah, you know. Like how Scandinavians are always throwing gays off buildings and stoning

them and things like that.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

11. Perhaps I'm being overly cynical but I can't help but wonder

if the usual suspects will be along to lecture us about xenophobia?

The western world needs to educate refugees that intolerance, misogyny, and homophobia are unacceptable.

On any other day that would be damned as cultural imperialism but I guess we're all cultural imperialists today.

[FrodosPet]

13. Perhaps they are beginning to realize that they are supporting right wing monsters?

The frail and the innocent need protection more than healthy military age single men.