The notion that homosexuality is accepted and encouraged on a wide spread basis, in any culture, is absurd.
That it is tolerated, possibly. I have read reports that captured Soviet soldiers were raped as part of the torture preceding a gruesome death and I do not doubt it. But, homosexual rape isn't what this author is talking about. Male hand-holding is common and I've held the hand of Egyptian, Jordanian, and Afghan males in the course of doing business and I've never wondered what he was doing with the other hand. (BTW I've been "pecked on the cheek" by my countepart bro's too.)
As for "Man Love Thursday" nothing got my terp more pissed off then mentioning that. He'd never heard of it before he met Americans and it was quite clear that he believed it was a notion that had it's origin with Americans.
It is no more a Pashtun or Afghan cultural trait then it is an American trait. But, we have homosexuals in America -- so I've been told.
Add: I assume the researcher has never seen an Afghan male's reaction to picking up MAXXIM for the first time.
(Penthouse is banned under GO 1A)