Abu Nuwas And Al-Jahiz

"The eighth- and ninth-century writers Abu Nuwas and Al-Jahiz used the word latah for homosexuals, and the latter writer even referred to ghulat al-latah, or ultra-homosexuals. Abu Nuwas also provided one of the more beautiful medieval Arabic references to homosexuality, asking “Would I choose seas over land?” in one of his poems. The sea is a metaphorical reference to the love of women, while land is the love of men, according to Lebanese-born political scientist As'ad AbuKhalil."