I ran across this on the internet.  A recent Army study found that a certain segment of Afghan men struggle with their sexual identity.

The study, obtained by Fox News, found that Pashtun men commonly have sex with other men, admire other men physically, have sexual relationships with boys and shun women both socially and sexually — yet they completely reject the label of “homosexual.” The research was conducted as part of a longstanding effort to better understand Afghan culture and improve Western interaction with the local people. 

(snip)

In one instance, a group of local male interpreters had contracted gonorrhea anally but refused to believe they could have contracted it sexually — “because they were not homosexuals.” 

Apparently, according to the report, Pashtun men interpret the Islamic prohibition on homosexuality to mean they cannot “love” another man — but that doesn’t mean they can’t use men for “sexual gratification.” 

(snip)

The report said: “When it was explained to him what was necessary, he reacted with disgust and asked, ‘How could one feel desire to be with a woman, who God has made unclean, when one could be with a man, who is clean? Surely this must be wrong.’” 

(snip)

The report also detailed a disturbing practice in which older “men of status” keep young boys on hand for sexual relationships. One of the country’s favorite sayings, the report said, is “women are for children, boys are for pleasure.” 

This is outrageous.  But it also makes me wonder.  Are we really that far ahead of the Afghan Pashtun?  These poor men have been stigmatized to the point of not being able to accept who and what they are.

It’s something all gay people struggle with.  I became enlightened when I was in New York City many years ago and saw La  Cage Aux Folles and heard this song.  If we want to change the world, we should give everyone a copy of this John Barrowman classic.