I love how everyone compares laws and moral standards from one of the worlds longest standing superpowers (UK) with laws and standards in a young country.
And that of course is usually based on the daily mail or one panorama programme from 8 years ago.
It's not perfect here, but it's not perfect anywhere. There's a lot of things I disagree with here, however the key point for me is that wheels are in motion to change it. The differences in the 8 years I've been here are phenomenal in terms of labour laws and welfare of workers (and I don't just mean manual labour). But nobody wants to hear that.
Also laws about homosexuality and women being arrested and prosecuted for being raped? Again, all you have to do is read about this - this is all under review and consideration. There's a big campaign at the moment from the authorities regarding date rape and trying to ensure that these incidents are reported without the worry of being prosecuted.
Alcohol license? Another one people have issue with. So what. It takes 5 mins to apply with permission from sponsor, not husband. It's to prove you're a non-Muslim.
How's this for a curve ball - I sponsor my husband - so he needs MY permission to drink, drive, everything. 
As a previous poster mentioned - this is a very young country . Give them time. It would only be an issue if these things weren't improving, no matter how slowly. And please, don't anyone tell me that I'm naive to think this is changing - I am in a position where i know things from important people 
Oh and whether homosexual people can have open, public relationships here? Nobody in officialdom cares particularly (same goes for non-married straight couples) - however you wouldn't be able sponsor one another. But consider that this would also have been a problem until very recently in the UK - not being allowed to get married for example. Just obey the same laws as even married couples - no public displays of affection, and nobody will be too concerned. As for whether this is right or wrong, I for one much prefer not to be walking around malls etc with people's hands on each other's arses, no snogging in the street - much prefer it. As with anything, it's only a problem if you make it a problem - eg you're arrested for something you've done wrong and you're same-sex partner goes to the police station and declares who they are? Youll get charged. As a Brit (assuming we all are on this thread), you wouldn't be subject to punishments under sharia law for it. Deportation perhaps, but not sharia law.
Anyway, the question of living here in AD. We love it. We live out of town, about 30 mins to my office and 45 mins to his office in dubai. It's fabulous.
Cost of living is very high. School fees are high if you can get your kids into the schools you want. Driving is horrific!
Eash - why did I open a UAE bashing thread during hormonal week