After Beirut Pride’s Cancellation, LGBTQ+ Lebanese People Fight Back

Mohamed Sabbah (27)

Film Director

Growing up queer in Lebanon was a journey through different phases of acceptance, both of myself and others. In a place where sexuality is already taboo, being gay was not easy for everyone to understand and accept. But these days I find myself among an open-minded network of artists who understand who I truly am and who I want to be.

Having a pride celebration is very important to me and other queer Lebanese people, because it’s a way to spread knowledge, fight ignorance about the LGBTQ+ community, create awareness and fight oppression. Pride is a good way for the queer community to show that we’re united and determined to fight our battles and spread our message of love.

It’s crucial that we stay visible, and I think big steps have been made in the recent years. That’s why I aim as a filmmaker to make queer Arab stories, even though it might put me in danger. I believe that the power of self-love is the key to change. With art, we can normalize queer culture in the region, and show that queer people’s lives are normal. I hope we can break the clichés and stereotypes around the Arab queer community, and I’m optimistic about how my generation will make things better for queer people in the Arab world.

Lea* (21)

Architecture student

When I was younger, I never knew what it meant to be a lesbian, simply because I didn’t know that homosexuality existed. I thought there was something wrong with me, because I wouldn’t have crushes on boys in my class like other girls would. In my first year at university, I began to understand myself a bit more. In the beginning, I was very afraid to tell my close friends and family about my desires, but my best friend and girlfriend have supported me a lot. A few months ago I came out to my family, and today I’m very proud to be part of the LGBTQ+ community.

I was very angry when I heard that Beirut Pride was being cancelled, because I felt like this was my week to celebrate love and life. It felt like my freedom was being taken away. We need pride because it’s a way to educate people — because we’re raised in a society that marginalizes our queer identities. I know a lot of people who don’t dare to come out of the closet because they are ashamed. With pride, we can show them that they can love themselves, and that we’re there as a community to support them.