By Johnny T. Harris

 

Mid Amman never rests, a student studio could become an artifact of a personage and his cleaning mode, feeding the quirk, feeding the nerd and feeding the pop. Kali shares his dreams with Barbie, walking a mile in her shoes! Regina Shoots a quizzically-sexual and vehement story of something eccentric and ought to be blasphemous in the religion of toy-human relation exclusively for kontraPLAN.

Photographs by Regina Mamou (http://reginamamou.com/home.html)


He has brought to the ‘scene’ a fresh perspective, he has influenced a whole new generation, he made history and took it to another level… Jordan’s very own gay model and My.Kali.magazine’s (http://mykali.weebly.com/ ) spokesperson, Khalid aka; Kali, finds himself twirling around our misdeemed questions! But this fun-loving, tall-tanned beauty turns out to have an unexpected side.

So Kali, In your opinion, who’s the perfect couple?

The one I found the most charming are Miss Piggy and Kermit (the Frog)! I think their relationship is substantial and based on humor, and that’s a great essence in a relationship. They make a perfect fit! I’m not really typical when it comes to relationships!

 

Well I’m not surprised after seeing that Barbie next to you in the sack! But tell me, who’s your kind of a guy?
The one who laughs at himself and not at his own jokes! A one who disarms around his own mistakes! A cute guy who doesn’t know it makes the best one! And there’s something about damaged or angry guys, that makes you want to listen and pat their backs! Hey, coffee later?

Hahaha, would love to, only if I’m buying! Let’s see if we have things in common! Do you dance in the shower?
Who doesn’t! I dance to Kelis’s all the time. If walls can talk! And there was the time when I won an Oscar! Too bad my shampoo bottle isn’t pleated gold!

That’s hilarious!

In an interview with Sex.etc magazine, you mentioned that when you were a teenager, a guy once picked up a book that had fallen from your hands. As special as that made you feel then and as silly as this might sound now, did you give up on prince charming?
I’d lie if I said yes. But I don’t believe in it as much as I like the idea of it or as much as I used to believe in it then. The idea of being rescued is always a rich plot to day dreams! I have to let these day dreams slip occasionally, otherwise I’d sleep in contemporary cases class! Not that it makes any difference!

Day dreams or fantasies?
It depends on whose asking!

Ah! Do you have personal theories?
Many! But one I really feel strongly about is that, the more you know in life, the less happy you are!

That’s so true, but how so?
Well, when you know more about certain things, you tend to strip the virginal meaning or the simplicity of the object, and soon it becomes this bundle of information orbiting around it, steering you away from seeing it as it is, a whole! In my opinion, that’s why gay people tend to be either happier or not!

Materialistic in that sense?
Not particularly, but somehow yes. Not calling gay people materialistic off course, but gay people (usually) look after what makes them happy and they go for it, you know, looks, cars, chalet by the beach, custom made suites… and that’s usually materials. Yes, we all know that money can’t buy love or happiness… but humans thrive on adrenaline infused moments, that’s what we feel when we receive gifts, or finding ourselves buying things we might regret later! Gays and blondes… no?

Haha, you have the kind of sarcasm that only exists in British 1980s soap operas! Saying things you don’t know if you really mean them or not!
Great, Dynasty happens to be my favorite show! Don’t run into me at the staircase!

When you appeared in a speedo on Rainbow Street in city Amman, and in front of a Mosque, stating: “I’m not afraid of who I am or what I wear and what I believe in, I’m both, why should I pick one? Can’t I be both and not called a hypocrite?” it caused a spark! Your personal statement had really a big influence on gay Muslims. Do you think this is a start of achieving an end toward such stereotypes?
Many believe, if you’re gay, you’ve abandon religion or deny you the love of God, and it simply breaks my heart! I did exactly what the public thinks of gay! Offensive! And I could totally do something that could come off offensive when it’s simply not meant be taken as offensive! I agree that it’s very controversial, but controversy could be stimulating! It forces people to envision other people’s stands regarding certain matters and helps raises few eyebrows! Can you associate religion with personal politics? Well I found my away around it. But, doing what I did wasn’t for the purpose of disrespect, but more of declaring a denied love! Who says I don’t love God? Who said I don’t believe?

You mentioned once in a feature on ‘The New Gay’ post site few years ago, that, Jordan may not be ready for a liberal life for gay people. Do you feel that your image maybe imposing on others in that sense?
It’s true, if people forget the conservative environment they live in, it could turn ugly on the longer run. I respect others’ opinions and values, I can’t force people to accept me, I can demand respect though, and that’s what’s important. I respect my country’s values and I never want to change it; I just want to add to it.

In the Middle East, and in your country in Specific (Jordan-Amman), you’re associated with controversy! One for being an openly gay model and also being a spokesperson of an online gay magazine. Does that interfere with your friendships?
Well, it was a main concern to my friends back then, when it all popped up and was front and center for the media. I understood the fear of being associated with me, I was afraid myself, and it’s not the kind of attention you’d like to get when you’re in an Arab country. Some weren’t comfortable with all the rumors, so they kept their distance and remained their respect, and I understand that, why should I force you to accept something you might not understand? Even though I like to contribute toward acceptance but I wouldn’t be comfortable myself to have others impose their lifestyle on me, why should I do the same?

And your straight friends?
What about them? My straight friends aren’t naïve, they know the crowed they mingle with, regardless rumors! My sexual orientation wasn’t their concern from the beginning, at least when it came to playing cards! And why should it, their sexuality wasn’t a concern of mine either!

What’s the item you can’t leave the house without?
Defiantly my daily planner. I’d be lost without it! Completely lost!
God, I’d do anything to put my hands on it!
Try! It’s armed by angry Barbie dolls!

And this famous book that you never leave the house without, what would one find while thumbing through the pages of that is?
Spinning classes and gym timings, meetings and exam dates, memos I like to keep in my mind, my favorite quotes and words, drawings and sketches, ideas I fear to forget, notes from classes, birthday and dues reminders, facial appointments… plus pictures glued on to the pages within, like recipes and show flyers!

Tune in with My.Kali.mag:
http://mykali.weebly.com/