The United Arab Emirates present themselves as a cosmopolitan hub between Europe and Asia. For queer people this only applies to a limited extent: same-sex relationships are prohibited and there is no public scene.
Legal situation: The 2021 federal penal code (in force since 2022) punishes consensual sex outside marriage, including between men, with at least six months in prison; emirate penal codes such as Dubai’s provide for considerably harsher penalties for “sodomy”. Cross-dressing is a criminal offence. There is no recognition of same-sex couples and no protection against discrimination.