Tuesday Jul 8, 2025
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home News Middle East

Lebanon protests seen as an 'opportunity' for LGBT community

The anti-government demonstrations that prompted Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri to resign could usher in a new leadership "more willing to relax its iron grip ... on social and human rights issues," says the head of Lebanon's most prominent LGBT+ rights organization.

by  Reuters and Israel Hayom Staff
Published on  11-14-2019 08:53
Last modified: 11-14-2019 08:53
Lebanon protests seen as an 'opportunity' for LGBT communityReuters/Andres Martinez Casares

A protester holds a Lebanese flag during ongoing anti-government protests in Jal el-Dib, Lebanon, Wednesday | Illustration: Reuters/Andres Martinez Casares

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Nationwide protests that have thrown Lebanon into political and economic turmoil could end up being an opportunity for the LGBT+ community, according to the head of the country's most prominent LGBT+ rights organization.

Tarek Zeidan, executive director of Helem, said the anti-government demonstrations that prompted Lebanese Prime Minister Saad al-Hariri to resign could usher in a new leadership "more willing to relax its iron grip ... on social and human rights issues."

Follow Israel Hayom on Facebook and Twitter

Despite being seen as a bastion of relative freedom in the largely conservative Middle East, Lebanese society remains reluctant to extend rights to the LGBT+ community.

By law "sexual intercourse against nature" – often interpreted by authorities as gay sex – remains illegal with a possible jail term of one year, although there have been six recent cases in which judges have refused to enforce the law.

Zeidan, who founded the first LGBT rights organization in the Arab world in 2004, said there had been headway in the courts but the recent protests could be a major driver for change.

"It is not the work of the revolution to change homophobic and transphobic attitudes for us," said Zeidan, 35, ahead of speaking at the Thomson Reuters Foundation's annual Trust Conference on Thursday.

"[But] the hope is that it ushers in a level playing field for us to engage in this important work on these very difficult subjects of gender identity and sexuality," he added.

Lebanon was pitched into deep turmoil on Oct. 17, when a wave of protests against the ruling elite began that led Hariri to resign on Oct. 29.

The unprecedented protests were fueled by concerns over poverty, joblessness and lack of basic services such as electricity, and also anger at a ruling elite class widely perceived to have overseen rampant state corruption for decades.

Talks on an urgently needed Lebanese government remain deadlocked, raising fears that Lebanon's political impasse will exacerbate pressures on an economy gripped by its deepest crisis since the 1975-90 civil war.

Zeidan said many issues faced by the LGBT+ population in Lebanon revolved around economic hardship, homelessness and violence.

In September, organizers of Beirut Pride canceled the event's opening concert after threats meant they could not guarantee the safety of attendees at Lebanon's third annual LGBT+ week.

"There are many instances of people being forced to work in the informal labor sector, including sex work, where many are often very vulnerable, facing sexual harassment or violence and blackmail," Zeidan said.

Zeidan said this was why the current political upheaval was so critical.

Political change could "usher in new, younger actors ... and younger people tend to be much more embracing of sexual diversity," he said.

Tags: LebanonLGBTprotests

Related Posts

Report: China transferred air defense systems to Iran after ceasefireArab Networks

Report: China transferred air defense systems to Iran after ceasefire

by Dudi Kogan

According to the report by the Middle East Eye, Iran is trading oil in exchange for the missile systems. For...

President of Iran: 'We will not negotiate with the US, period'None

Iranian President: Israel tried to assassinate me

by Dudi Kogan

In an interview with Tucker Carlson, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian claimed that Israel attempted to bomb a meeting he attended....

Israel's next target? This is the Houthis new drug tradeAFP

Israel's next target? This is the Houthis new drug trade

by Shachar Kleiman

Authorities in Yemen are alarmed over Houthi attempts to smuggle the stimulant drug Captagon into Saudi Arabia, as Israeli airstrikes...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il