Ah, but I do insist on uniform ethical standards. I have never claimed otherwise. I simply said that:

1. It is wrong to label every practitioner of Islam as a homophobe;

2. It is wrong to label every Egyptian a homophobe;

3. It is wrong to demonstrate bigotry or hatred towards someone simply because of their religion or ethnicity; and,

4. That you need to judge the individual, not the various labels that can be applied to them.

I’ve seen people here talking about Egyptians, Muslims and doctors, but very few talking about this individual. There is absolutely no doubt that this person was wrong to refuse to treat gays. There is absolutely no doubt that action needs to be taken to correct her behaviour. However, the attitude of some that the correct response should be to deport her or string her up is a massive overreaction and one based in prejudice towards her faith and nationality.

The correct response in this case is to reprimand her for her conduct, explain to her that she cannot refuse to treat a patient based on their sexuality, and provide her with training, ideally at her expense, to help her better understand the needs of gays and lesbians. If, after taking that action, she still refuses to treat gays, at that point she should be struck off in Canada and deported.

I do believe in uniform ethical standards, Frank, I just also believe that in some cases additional measures need to be taken in order to enable us to apply those standards uniformly. If a child has been raised in the jungle by apes, don’t expect them to have perfect table manners.

1) Homosexuality is not lawfully condemned in Egypt. It is one of the very few Muslim countries where it is exempt from either jail or the gallows. So get your facts straight.

2) The US, Chile, Italy and Puerto Rico are all part of the West and Western culture. What do they all have in common? Queers have a difficult time in all of them. So really, this notion of “the Middle Easterners” and the “Western World” seen to be little more than a polarized caricature: there are progressive Arabs and Muslims (even if they don’t get a lot of attention from the media, as it is not convenient for us to find out not all of them are crazy terrorists) and not all Westerners are progressive (point in case: George W. Bush). Just a thought.

I am, unlike this “doctor”, guided by ethics which precludes my treating Muslims unfairly.
If you don’t insist on uniform ethical standards then you are the racist, Isaac.

Accusing me of selling out the gay community because I abhor bigotry in whatever form it takes? That’s a low blow, and supports my earlier assumptions regarding your intelligence (or lack thereof).

I don’t dispute that Islam, like most major religions, condemns and promotes persecution of homosexuals. I don’t dispute that Egypt is a dangerous country in which to be gay or gay friendly. In fact, if you’d taken the time to read what I said before jumping on your loonybox and screaming abuse you would have seen me say that.

However, as easy as it would be to join you in ranting about Islam, the fact is that this is about one person, not an entire religion or an entire country. One person. One doctor. And I refuse to condemn every Muslim or Egyptian because of her actions (which, incidentally, are restrained compared to the actions of some Muslims and Egyptians).

To say that all practitioners of Islam are barbarians, to say that they should all be expelled from Canada, is simply abhorrent. There are some Muslims, many Muslims, who believe that homosexuality is evil and that gays should be put to death. However, there are plenty who stand with us in our fight for equality and it sickens me to see people here disparage their efforts by putting them in the same box as extremists.

There are good Muslims. There are good Egyptians. You may be able to fight fire with fire, but you can’t fight hatred with hatred. I believe in judging PEOPLE, not entire religions or nations.

This INDIVIDUAL has been raised in a country, in a culture, that sees homosexuality as an abomination, that teaches its children that gays are vile creatures that spread corruption and disease. This INDIVIDUAL is a product of that upbringing, of that ignorance, and while her actions should certainly be condemned, her response, considering her culture, was remarkably restrained and civil.

I’m not praising her. I’m merely seeing hope for her. She is ignorant, as are many who come from such cultures, but ignorance can be cured. She can be educated to understand that the needs of homosexual patients are no different to those of heterosexual patients. After she has received that education, something she certainly couldn’t get in her own country, if she still refuses to treat homosexuals then I will join everyone else here in calling for her to be thrown out of Canada.

The fact is, the victims in this case, the lesbians who were denied treatment, have called for the medical authorities in Canada to better prepare foreign doctors rather than attacking or abusing the doctor herself. If the victims themselves see the problem as being the lack of education for foreign doctors, why is it so hard for you to accept that?

As I said, ignorance can be cured. Stupidity cannot be. There is hope for this doctor. For you there is none.

Calling gays bigoted for antipathy toward Islam is no less disingenuous than calling Jews bigots for their hostility toward Nazi-ism. Islam prescribes death for homosexuality and carries out such sentences. Islam is a genocidal philosophy. You, sir, are a Quisling.

Go fuck yourself. Islam is not a race. Criticism of Islam isn’t racism. Grow a fucking brain.”

Frank,

First of all, there is no need for such hostility. If you don’t like what I say, feel free to debate. Comments like this merely demonstrate your inferior intelligence.

Regardless, when I talked about racism I was referring to the fact that she’s also Egyptian. And yes, many of the attitudes demonstrated in this thread show clear racism and bigotry towards her faith.

Not all Muslims are homophobes. Not all Egyptians are homophobes. This woman clearly is and criticism of her is entirely justified, but attacking her religion or nationality makes you no better than her – a bigot.

In this case, however, before you criticise her you need to consider the combination of her religion and her upbringing. She has been raised in a country where homosexuality is a crime and a religion where homosexuality is considered an abomination. She hasn’t had the luxury of learning about homosexuals and is thus a victim of her own ignorance.

She is ignorant. No argument from me. However, ignorance can be cured. Unfortunately, stupidity cannot be, which is why I won’t bother saying anymore, because I doubt you’ll be able to grasp what I’m saying anyway.