Being LGBT+ in Abu Dhabi: Perspective of a theme park employee who lived on Yas Island
With the ever-expanding attractions industry in Abu Dhabi, most recently crowned with the announcement that Disney will partner with Miral to open a brand-new park on Yas Island, I was asked to share some of my observations about living and working in the UAE, specifically regarding the treatment of members of the LGBT+ community.
Photos by Scott Swenson
By Scott Swenson
In October of 2022, I signed on to do a five-month gig on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi UAE. I would start my extended project in December, return home for the Christmas holidays, and then travel back to the UAE in early January of 2023 for the rest of my non-stop adventure. All of this sounds really exciting, and it was, but I was a bit concerned about living and working in Abu Dhabi.
We were told the culture is very conservative and quite strict in comparison to the United States. We were told there was no alcohol, no pork products, no flamboyant attire and, most concerning to me personally, no tolerance for members of the LGBT+ community.
All of these cultural “rules and regulations” were based on the fact that the government is based on Islamic Law, which states that many things are “Haram,” or Forbidden. After a bit of research, I decided to take on this great adventure and learn what I could about this vibrant country.
Finding out the real truth about life on Yas Island
Upon arrival my first night in Abu Dhabi, I was invited to the rooftop bar at the hotel. My first reaction was, “… bar? I thought there was no alcohol?,” but this is not true in tourist areas. I walked in, sat down, and ordered a glass of red wine.
On the couches near my table were two young men in each other’s arms kissing and cuddling, clearly very much in love … or maybe it was the effect of the alcohol. Either way, it was happening.
At this point, I realized I don’t know nearly as much as I thought I did about this culture. I discovered many of the forbidden things I had been warned about were either no longer considered forbidden, tolerated in the right setting, or simply were never really an issue. I then made the decision to spend my time finding out the real truth about life on Yas Island.
UAE’s laws about sexual activity and gender expression
According to Human Dignity Trust, “The United Arab Emirates criminalises same-sex sexual activity between men and between women. The gender expression of trans people is also criminalised.”1 That said, I should also mention according to the same source, “The U.S. Department of State report notes that there were no reports of arrests or prosecutions for consensual same-sex conduct.2 There had been no such reports since the 2015 iteration of this report. Conversely, there were reports of people being arrested for wearing clothing deemed inappropriate for one’s sex, and foreign residents had previously been deported for this reason.”
Why things are changing so quickly in the UAE
The United Arab Emirates is still a very young country (founded in December of 1971) and has grown very quickly. This means information from even five years ago may be outdated. Things change quickly in this part of the world.
Think about it: in just over 50 years, they have gone from deserts to cutting-edge contemporary cities. This means their laws and culture are shifting quickly, as well.
Also keep in mind that only about 12% of the population of the UAE are Emirati.3 The rest are expats from India, Europe, Russia, Asia, the U.S., and other countries around the world. The UAE is a huge melting pot of cultures and traditions. There are factions that still view the LGBT+ community as sinful, but this is true in other countries. LGBT+ acceptance has always been in a state of flux, no matter where you live, and the UAE is no different.
My personal experience living in the UAE
Observing from my own personal experience, the vast majority of people who live in Abu Dhabi, and on Yas Island specifically, have a strong “live and let live” mentality. They make foreign tourists feel very welcome.
This is also an important element of Islam. The Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammed emphasize the importance of treating guests, including strangers, with kindness and respect. I have found this to be true in other Islamic nations in the Middle East, as well. They are still learning how to efficiently run their growing hospitality industry, but their heart is in the right place.
Specifically focusing on the treatment of members of the LGBT+ community, I worked with other gay men and women while I was there. Several of them were visited by their partners and spouses while living in the UAE. In all the time I was there, I was never, nor did I see anyone, openly discriminated against for being true to themselves.
Comparing the UAE to policies in China and Florida
Let’s take a moment to put things into perspective regarding other themed attraction locations around the world.
In China (home of Shanghai Disneyland, Universal Studios Bejing, and Hong Kong Disneyland), same-sex relationships were illegal until 1997.4 Same-sex couples in China are still not allowed to marry or adopt children, and are denied some benefits that heterosexual couples are offered.5 Trans rights are growing in China, as well. Those who have completed gender reassignment surgery6 are able to have the gender on their official documents changed, but it appears to be an arduous task that still faces negative bias.
Florida, arguably the epicenter of theme park activity, approved in March of 2022 HB 1557, also known as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which prohibits teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity in schools.7 This is believed by many to be a major blow to LGBT+ rights in the state of Florida and may be the harbinger of things to come.
I bring these examples to light to show that LGBT+ rights have been a journey in many countries, and different locations are at different milestones within that journey.
I hope this has shed some additional light on experiencing the growing themed entertainment industry in Abu Dhabi. I am a firm believer that whenever people visit another country they should be respectful of that country’s customs and laws. If these laws are against your beliefs, then you can make your own choice whether to visit or not. Based on my experience and the rapid changes that are continuing to happen in the UAE, I have no concern about visiting and enjoying the amazing offerings on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, or in Dubai. The people are welcoming, public spaces are clean and extremely safe, and the hospitality improves with each season.
Scott Swenson is the owner and CEO of Scott Swenson Creative Development which writes directs and produces shows, festivals, and events for theme parks and attractions around the world. He is also the co-host of “Green Tagged: Theme Park in 30,” the weekly podcast for theme park professionals. For more information, visit scottswenson.com.
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Sources
- Human Dignity Trust ↩︎
- U.S. Department of State ↩︎
- The World Factbook ↩︎
- Human Dignity Trust ↩︎
- Equaldex ↩︎
- Ibid. ↩︎
- Florida Senate ↩︎
