Lebanon

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.

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

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.