Oldak Quill wrote:
Do the Egyptian authorities care if two people of the same sex share a double room?
I'm straight and I've shared a room with a person of the same sex, although not in Egypt. They might not be happy with two people having a room with just one bed - I don't know about that.
Egypt's economy is heavily reliant on tourism, which means they do accept things from the tourists that they won't accept with their own populace. Like many countries in the Middle East they have their issues with sexuality, things are changing slowly but the place is not like the U.S. where you are able to openly be homosexual and the current debate is whether or not you should have the right to marry.
My opinion is that those making an issue out of this aspect of Egypt's climate have taken zero interest in the issue until Alexandria was actually chosen. I find that unfair, and persecuting the jury over the decision is out of order. Wikimania will be seen as encouragement of freedom of expression within the country and an invitation to share what you know on-wiki.
Brian.