What’s It Like To Be An Openly Gay Rock Star In The Middle East?

"A lot of people here feel unsafe for vocalizing their opinions, queer or otherwise," says out singer Hamed Sinno.
From: NewNowNext

 The ranks of out and proud musicians in the West has grown by leaps and bounds—from Elton John and Melissa Etheridge to Tegan and Sara and Troye Sivan.

In the Middle East, though, being openly LGBT doesn’t just jeopardize a singer’s career—it can be a threat to their very lives.

As the openly gay singer for the Lebanese alternative rock band Mashrou’ Leila, Hamed Sinno is a rare voice in the Arab-speaking world.

 Mashrou’ Leila (literally “overnight project”) formed in 2008 at the American University of Beirut. Since then the band has released four studio albums—their latest, Ibn El Leil (Son of the Night), dropped in December and received critical and commercial acclaim.

 It also sees them touring the U.S., with a kickoff show in New York earlier this month.

The band doesn’t shy away from queer themes in their music—”Shim el Yasmine,” for example, is about a young man’s desire to introduce his boyfriend to his parents—but Sinno is more interested in starting a broader conversation—one that encompasses LGBT themes but is not defined by it.“A lot of people here feel unsafe for vocalizing their opinions, queer or otherwise,” Sinno, 28 tells NewNowNext.

“I’m not one to position queerness as a strictly sexual viewpoint—I find it to be key in attempting to undo identity altogether, which for me at least, is a great entry point to a larger spectrum of politics… Ultimately though, I write about whatever inspires me.”

While Lebanon has a rich history of music, Mashrou’ Leila “dabbles with a lot of different genres and ideas,” says Sinno. “It doesn’t particularly resemble traditional Lebanese music.”

Ibn El Leil sees them progressing toward more of a synth sound.

“A lot of the content on the album deals with Beirut’s nightlife… There’s a lot of escapism, mourning, and literary references, so we thought the name worked,” says Sinno. “Something that turned rather dark, and sounded like “party boy” when said in Arabic.”

While the band has garnered scores of fans, and comparisons to bands like Arctic Monkeys and Radiohead, they’ve also run afoul of censors: In April, Mashrou’ Leila was permanently banned from performing in Jordan.

“We [were] unofficially informed that we will never be allowed to play again anywhere in Jordan due to our political and religious beliefs and endorsement of gender equality and sexual freedom,” they said in a statement.

Just a few days after that edict, and the media attention it drew, authorities reversed their decision.

Lebanon is often viewed as a progressive country in the Middle East, but Sinno says it’s no beacon of liberalism, insists Sinno. “We live under what resembles feudal dictatorship, under a legal system that treats women as third-class citizens, with very little freedom for the LGBT community.”

There is a small gay scene in Beirut, he says, “but it’s quite class-framed and it revolves around consumption and nightlife.”

“It’s not so much a scene, as it is a consumer niche,” he adds. “Basically, it’s easier if you have money.”

Below, watch the video for “Aoede” off Ibn El Leil.

North American tour dates for Mashrou’ Leila

June 13—Washington, D.C.: The Hamilton. Ticket information [Sold Out] June 15—San Francisco, CA: Great American Music Hall. Ticket information

June 17—Los Angeles, CA: Grand Performances, Watercourt Stage. Free

June 20—San Diego, CA: Soda Bar. 

June 24—New York, NY: (Le) Poisson Rouge. 

June 25—New York, NY: (Le) Poisson Rouge. 

June 27—Vancouver: Biltmore Cabaret

June 29—Montreal: International Jazz Festival

July 2—Toronto: Pride Toronto Festival