Omar Sharif's grandson's couragious coming out and his challenge to the new Egypt
A college friend of mine shared this with me. It is an open letter to the people of Egypt in which actor Omar Sharif's grandson comes out of the closet not only as gay, but also as being half Jewish. Mr. Sharif goes on to challenge the government and people of Egypt to embrace full inclusion of sexual and religious minorities, and to resist the forces of fundamentalism now attempting to hold sway.
As I read it, I am absolutely in awe of what an extraordinary act of courage it was for this young man to write this piece. And also how inspiring: here's a man who, given his social status, would be likely to be able to go about living his life any way he wanted to with little danger of being harassed, irrespective of how tolerant or intolerant the society of post-revolution Egypt turned out.l The fact that he is willing to put all of his social status and reputation on the line in order to try to bring about a society that is more just for members of all sexual, religious and cultural minorities makes him an exemplar of the kind of humanity to which all of us should aspire!
Below is an excerpt and a link:
The troubling results of the recent parliamentary elections dealt secularists a particularly devastating blow. The vision for a freer, more equal Egypt — a vision that many young patriots gave their lives to see realized in Tahrir Square — has been hijacked. The full spectrum of equal and human rights are now wedge issues used by both the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces and the Islamist parties, when they should be regarded as universal truths.
I write this article despite the inherent risks associated because as we stand idle at what we hoped would be the pinnacle of Egyptian modern history, I worry that a fall from the top could be the most devastating. I write, with healthy respect for the dangers that may come, for fear that Egypt's Arab Spring may be moving us backward, not forward.
And so I hesitantly confess: I am Egyptian, I am half Jewish, and I am gay.
That my mother is Jewish is no small disclosure when you are from Egypt, no matter the year. And being openly gay has always meant asking for trouble, but perhaps especially during this time of political and social upheaval. With the victories of several Islamist parties in recent elections, a conversation needs to be had and certain questions need to be raised. I ask myself: Am I welcome in the new Egypt? . . .
Read full story at: http://www.advocate.com/Print_Issue/Features/Coming_Out_Story_Were_Not_in_Cairo_Anymore/
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