Educational Media Reviews Online

This documentary looks at individual journeys of lesbian and gay people of Middle Eastern cultures living in the United States. Four million people of Middle Eastern descent live in the United States. Of those 4 million there is an estimated 400,000 gays or lesbian Arabs.

I Exist focuses on different aspects of their culture and the religious challenges they face. In several Arab countries being gay or lesbian is illegal and could be punished with death even though ironically, during medieval times, some Arab leaders were gay and were highly respected. Currently, in Egypt, homosexuals are arrested. As described by one of the participants, in Iran, a “mother will kill the son that is gay; it would be easier to deal with a dead straight son than with a living gay son.” Within Islam there is no opportunity for a mother to find resources on how to deal with a gay child.

Being gay or lesbian in the United States is not a terrible situation depending on where you live but being gay or lesbian and Arab makes it more difficult and harder to survive due to the stereotypes, the political propaganda and the racism in the United States. Because religion and culture do not accept or have room for gays, these individuals are being cut off from their families, their community, and their culture so that they feel they are losing their identities.

At the end of the film, there are very positive and supportive comments from some of the families. One the mothers strongly advises other parents and makes this statement: “They didn’t have to be born, you brought them to the world, you have to accept them and love them for who they are and be supportive, if you don’t or you can’t, you are harming them, you are making the situation a lot harder for them. Give them all the love you can; there is no difference between a gay or straight kid, no difference whatsoever.”

This film has several similarities with the powerful film Trembling Before God a film by Sandi Simcha Dubowski dealing with gay and lesbian Jews. Both films present similar interviews and questions and they both challenge the same gay and lesbian issues from the point of view of religion and culture in the United States.

A very good and interesting documentary showing crucial information that enriches and educates viewers in understanding minority groups in the United States. The picture and sound qualities are good. It is in English with some spoken Arabic. It would be most suitable for academic departments of gender studies, gay and lesbian studies and social work.