Yes, I've noticed in my non-fiction travel reading recently (from multiple different authors in various magazines) it seems as though in many Middle Eastern countries the women are somewhat segragated from the men and there is little stigma attached to same-sex relations. It is generally assumed they will marry etc the oppposite sex, but (at least it seems as such, I have never been) if finances don't justify it, they don't and no stigma is attached. A academically inclined seminary student also mentioned in a recent conversation that female same-sex relations (since there is no "spilling of seed") was not considered "a sin" in some jeduo-christian philosophies (LOL apparently sex is only a sin if you are wasting spermatazoa that could be potential new Christians)

Anyway growing up in my rather bohemian California heaven, I would frankly love to a read a book where we are past the whole idea of having to explain how/why the ladies hooked up and get right to... well... you know... people just being people and living their lives :)