LET'S GET THIS STRAIGHT.... gay means happy.

Because that other meaning is impossible. It is not allowed by law, socially forbidden, and very much looked down and frowned upon. But people will be people, and know all about the human heart and body what official guidelines do not.

So you can be greeted, "hello man, that is not married, that is travelling alone"... after which the sentence sort of fades away with a smile. which is simply a friendly and respectful way of showing that they understand.

You have to know a thing or two about the culture. It is Plato rather than Aristotle. Kindness and harmony over truth or honesty. (And for the non-hypocritical explanation, see below).

Often highly educated young professionals will rather bite their tongue, than to disagree with an older person, as that would be disrespectful.

It is also because of the same gentle courtesy that the word 'gay' or any sign of it will not be used. Imagine they are making a mistake and you would be insulted!

So there you go, threading lightly into a web of subtle messages. Which, after all, is the whole charm of Morocco.

All this just to say : do not use the word, follow the law, respect the culture, and you will be absolutely fine, and have a superbe holiday.

Not beating about the bush...

So we asked several hotel owners after their gay friendliness. Most of them are gay friendly, in person, but: 1/ can not vow for their staff, 2/ are careful in marketing themselves as such, 3/ or had an experience that totally killed the idea for them.

That last one is an important reason why some hotel managers have a 'horreur' to market themselves as friendly.

In Morocco the whole earth evolves around a sun named Discretion. And that goes for straights and gays alike.

Hypocrisy?

Admittedly, we can sing the praise of how people see themselves as smooth and civilised... But "hypocrisy" is also a human trait, especially forever fine-tuned in Morocco.

 

"Looking at the sea".

The bunk bed situation

How to put this... let's say that if you are being offered bunk beds, you have to choose the upper bed.

Then it's fine. End of social stigma.

 

Magical Morocco

That is a myth. Once you start marketing your magic it means it has gone.

The main tourist centres (Marrakech, Fes) are very much up to taste of the standard coach tourist, and as magical as Frankfurt.

Over the past 10 years, the existence of satellite TV and the broadcasts from Saudi or Egyptian Imans, have led to an almost suicide like evolution within the Berber community:

Even the most remote village now knows that their traditions of dancing or painting the face are "un-Islamic", and is quickly abandoning its cultural habits.

Since 2009 it is also officially forbidden to give your child a Berber name.