Saturday, May 17, 2014, marked the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia worldwide and in Lebanon.

Though traditionally seen as one of the most open countries in the Middle East, Lebanon still imposes significant legal and social discrimination against gay and transgender individuals. Activists from across the sexual orientation spectrum joined Lebanese gay rights group Helem on Saturday to discuss what’s to come for Lebanon’s LGBT community and to focus in particular on the country’s increasingly visible transgender community.

Poster for May 14 legal session for IDAHOT 2014 in Lebanon

This year’s event focused more on activism itself, and consisted of two panels of experts in which people commented on the events of last year as well as on the future of the LGBT movement in Lebanon. You can find more information on this Facebook event page.

Marsa Sexual Health Center, ABAAD Arab Foundation For Freedoms and Equality, Lebanese Medical Students’ International Committee (LeMSIC), Legal Agenda, LEBMash, SIDC and Oui Pour La Vie were also engaged in this year’s IDAHOT actions.

Agenda:

10:00AM-12:00PM
Activities and Engagement

1:30PM–3:30PM
Panel I: Trans* bodies within Lebanese Medical and Legal Agencies Speakers:

• Youmna Makhlouf – Attorney
• Roudna Najm – Psychologist
• Nancy Siblini – Helem Activist

3:30PM–5:30PM
Panel II: LGBT Rights in 2013 and the Road Ahead Speakers:

• Legal Agenda – Attorney
• Nadim Houry – HRW MENA Deputy Director
• Helem Activist

5:30PM–7:00PM
Performances

• Anthony Khoury – Adonis

More information on the event:

https://www.facebook.com/events/489683851154826/?ref=2&ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming

A detailed media report has been issued by NOW magazine and can be accessed here

Poster for IDAHOT 2014 in Lebanon – #LebIDAHOT

The online group ProudLebanon also contributed to the visibility of the Day on the Lebanese social media particularly, featuring the stories of gay Syrian refugees.

Anti-Homophobia Rally in Beirut

Reports Canadian news site Global News, as part of their May 17 coverage, on April 30 rally in Beirut, ‘Lebanese homosexuals, human rights activists and members from the NGO Helem (the Arabic acronym of “Lebanese Protection for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders”) rallied to condemn the arrest on the weekend of three gay men and one transgender civilian in the town of Dekwaneh east of Beirut at a nightclub who were allegedly verbally and sexually harassed at the municipality headquarters.’

Pride flag bearing the cedar tree is carried by human rights activists in Beirut rally, April 30, 2013. Joseph Eid (AFP)/Getty Images. Source.

Film Screening at the French Embassy

This is to remind you of tonight’s event, the screening of Les Invisibles that will take place at 7:30 P.M. at the French Embassy – Institut Francais du Liban. Les Invisibles has won the Cesar for the best documentary in 2013. English Subtitles are available.The movie will be followed by a discussion with Monique Issele who is one of the heroes in the documentary and Al-Akhbar Pierre Abi Saab. The event will end with the launch of Helem’s campaign for IDAHO 2013 that will take place on June 9th at Douwar el Chams theater. On Monday May 20th, we will be hosting Miss Issele at Helem Center at 6:30 P.M. for an open discussion. More information on facebook event page.

May 17 Statement from the Regional Network Against Homophobia

Activists from Lebanon also contributed to the ‘MEMORANDUM 2013′ of the The Regional Network Against Homophobia, prepared in dedication to May 17, International Day Against Homophobia. The Network co-ordinates and supports activists in 18 countries across the Middle East, North Africa, the Balkans and Caucasus.

Activists spotlighted specific areas of human rights violations in the Lebanese context, and called on governments and the international community for action. The abuses highlighted were:

• Sexual and bodily interventions and arrests on the grounds of morality and ethics.
• Anal and vaginal examination as a form of validation of conducting adultery and determining sexual orientation/activity.
• The lack of will by the police and Ministry of Justice to protect LGBTIQ people from arbitrary arrests based on sexual orientation and gender identity as civil society and public health syndicates recommended.

See also:

http://www.arabs4tolerance.org/blog/lebanon-may-17-international-day-against-homophobia-and-transphobia

A fundraiser was also held in Beirut which drew from 300-400 participants and which included a photo installation entitled “OUT: Portraits of a proud community” which came from Montreal in Canada and featured photos of Lebanese and Arab LGBT people living abroad.