Hostage, Loney's Homosexuality Was Kept Quiet

Fears that James Loney's Iraqi captors might harm the peace activist if they knew he was gay forced his partner to remain silent as his loved ones called for an end to the hostage ordeal, Christian Peacemaker Teams co-director Doug Pritchard said Monday.
During his four months of captivity, Loney's sexuality was kept out of the media spotlight at the request of his family, said Pritchard.
"It's a sad fact that around the world gays and lesbians are more vulnerable to attack than straights," Pritchard said.
"When Jim was already in a vulnerable position we didn't, nor did his family, want him exposed to further danger."
On Sunday, Loney's return home was marked by an emotional welcome at Toronto's Pearson International Airport attended by friends, family and his partner, Dan Hunt.
While family members made appeals for Loney's release during his hostage ordeal, the homecoming marked the first time Hunt appeared before the media.
"It probably would not have been helpful" if Hunt had made a public plea during Loney's time in captivity, Pritchard said.
In 2001, Amnesty International reported that Iraq's constitution was amended to make homosexuality a crime punishable by death.
Although the constitution reverted back to the original 1969 document when Saddam Hussein's regime was toppled in 2003, the status of gay and lesbian rights remain unclear in the war-torn country.
Loney, looking thin but happy, politely declined comment Monday when he was spotted strolling down a street near Hunt's home in Toronto.
Loney's first night back home in Canada was spent enjoying a meal with loved ones.
"We had a lovely meal and just chatted, you know, hung out and got to know each other again. Just some regular stuff," said Loney's brother, Ed, who arrived Monday in Sault Ste. Marie, the family's hometown.
"He looked in great health, and we had a warm reception, and it was just fabulous to wrap my arms around him."
Loney, 41, a member of the Christian Peacemaker Teams, was kidnapped off the streets of Baghdad on Nov. 26 along with fellow Canadian Harmeet Sooden, 33, formerly of Montreal, Briton Norm Kember, 74, of London, and American Tom Fox, 54.
Fox's bullet-ridden body was found dumped on the streets of Baghdad on March 9.
Last Thursday, coalition soldiers raided an otherwise empty house near Baghdad and rescued Loney, Sooden - who now lives in Auckland, New Zealand - and Kember.
During a 20-minute phone call on Monday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President George W. Bush thanked one another for the parts each of their countries played in freeing the hostages.
"We expect James to arrive in Sault Ste. Marie with Dan in the next few days," said brother Matt, who also arrived Monday in the city of 75,000.
"We look forward to celebrating with family, with our friends . . .we are preparing a safe and loving place for James to arrive."
Claudette Loney, speaking from the family home, said she was thrilled to see television coverage of her son's airport arrival on Sunday.
"All I can say is it was great," she said with a big smile.
The city was continuing its preparations Monday to greet the newly liberated hostage, setting up a message book in which residents were being encouraged to write their best wishes. Signs reading, "Prayers Answered - Welcome Home James" were to decorate several city buildings.
"It's a message that Jim will no doubt have to see as he travels through the city from the airport or from the highway," said Joe Fratesi, the city's chief administrative officer.
The Sault Star also published a full-page colour photograph of Loney for residents to post in their windows "so that Jim, his parents Claudette and Patrick, and other family members see the joy of an entire community as he arrives home."
from C News