22/02/09 Beirut, Lebanon witnessed another type of public sit in to protest against violations of the rights of social minorities in Lebanon. The defense of the homosexual community clearly dominated the event, organized at the initiative of the association Helem.
The event, the first of its kind in the Arab world according to the organizers, was staged by the Beirut-based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer (LGBTIQ) support organization Helem.
"This protest came as a response for an incident which took place at Sassine square: almost a month ago, a few persons attacked two men publicly and beat them savagely, punching, kicking and even using sticks until bloodshed, because they were allegedly caught in a suspicious intimate situation in a building under construction."
Could this protest lead to any changes in the mentalities and Arab culture? Is it just a way for LGBTIQ's to express themselves in the open and thrive to be accepted in an environment that can barely tolerate political or religious differences, let alone sexual ones?
http://www.helem.net/my right to having
1 comment:
it's a good start.but this rally was not just for Homosexuals it was for all the "abused"minorities especially women and children.
they grouped for an hour and it seems that after that the security forces requested from everyone to leave.
the good thing about this is that there were lots of people that were not affraid to participate and affirming proudly their opinion.
this is real freedom when you can stand and say openly what you think or what you are no matter what people think or say.
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