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Arab gay group demonstrates in Lebanon

Kazakhstan News.Net
Sunday 10th May, 2009

Gay men and women in Lebanon have taken to the streets in a brave effort to show the rainbow flag.

Protesters on Sunday carried banners and unfurled flags at a sit-in for gays and lesbians in Beirut.

The region's only overt gay rights organisation, Helem, which is based in Lebanon, is preparing for a campaign to overturn the law that makes homosexuality illegal.

Helem has been responsible for organising the only overt gay rights protests ever to be held in the Arab world.

In February, nearly two dozen gays and lesbians waved rainbow flags in a downtown Beirut square, carrying banners demanding homosexual rights.

They were protesting what they said was the beating of two gay men by police.

Helem is now set to challenge Lebanon's Article 534, which prohibits sexual relations that "contradict the laws of nature."

The region has seen a recent spike in killings of homosexuals, blamed by some on the influence of Islamic extremists.

Leaders of Helem have said the group is slowly making progress in preventing discrimination and violence.

 

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Comments on this story

Ayam siam
05-10-09, 11:21 PM

Arab gay group demonstrates in Lebanon

gay and lesbians in labenon? dug your own grave..SERVED YOU RIGHT..If you’re in my ground, i’ll act the same way..YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS AT ALL TO LIVE ON THE FACE OF EARTH..EVEN GOD ALREADY MAKE IT VERY CLEAR..

moi aussi
05-11-09, 11:01 AM

This is EXACTLY why i am a non believer.

If all people are “Gods children” why do we hate and kill for “our God "?

Life is just a ride........enjoy it.

There isn’t any purpose at the end.

All those who believe in “rewards” waiting for them on the “other side”

will be diappointed.

Mmm
05-11-09, 06:20 PM

On the other hand

On the other hand,
similar to many cultures of the past, it may be safer for the GLBT culture in Lebanon to softly move to a country where they have progressed intellectually and politically. Lebanon obviously is lacking education. It would be safer for the GLBT persons to move. Let the cave men beat each other up with their own fear of their dreams. Obviously the God of love, tolerance and peace did not visit their country; or did and was shot down dead thinking that he/she was gay ;)

Also Islam dudes (the bitter bigoted idiots who commented on this page), read the Koran and not just the violent bits, most of it is peaceful. Get of the red meat and wife beating and seek anger management or SSRI’s, Valium ... something to deal with your fear of the men in your bitter anger and hatred on EVERYTHING.

OY ... are you getting it!!

Wogan
05-11-09, 03:40 AM

@Ayam siam

I don’t know much about your god, but if that’s his attitude, I’d rather be atheist and happily married, thanks.

AzhdehA
05-11-09, 09:20 AM

@ Ayam siam

Hey, if you’re going to make a point, do it like a civilised person. With an argument. And less All Caps.

And learn some grammar. I’m sure God made English clear enough for you.

dobedo
05-12-09, 01:21 AM

From America

Good Luck Lebanon...Go For It !...may the God of Abraham,Joseph,and Mary protect you all...May Allah’s light shine just as bright and may Allah put a sheild around every one of you and protect you with his mighty hand...Peace my Brothers....

Brunelli
05-12-09, 03:43 AM

Ayam Siyam

No Ayam, 'God' did not make anything clear. Your books written by HUMANS made things clear with the prejudices they chose. Morons have been trying to wipe gay people out for thousands of years and it’s never worked. You cannot because they are MEANT to be. If a deity (if it exists) wanted to wipe something out don’t you think it’d have the power to. It can’t. Gay people have every right to be here and it’s not your choice to decide for them based on a fantasy story.

Your prejudice is based on indoctrination and you are purely a sheep, no more no less. A robot who follows orders instead of having an open mind and appreaciating the variey in life. Well done for being an idiot.

Kudos to my gay bros and sisters in the Middle East. Stay strong people, stay strong.

weshlovrcm
05-12-09, 05:53 AM

God Loves All His Children

I salute all my beautiful gay brothers and sisters in Lebanon. God loves you and don’t let anyone tell you differently. You are all very brave and may God bless you with love, life, progress and success!

Lulubelle
05-12-09, 09:00 AM

God Is Great

It is unfortunate that people in Lebanon and other parts of the world beat people solely because they are homosexuals. So yes, live and let live. God’s punishment on those who live a 'forbidden' lifestyle will be greater than any beating meted out here on earth, and I don’t think those doing the beating will be rewarded for their actions. Only God is Just and only God knows who needs to be punished - so let’s leave it up to Him.

daayiee
05-12-09, 09:58 AM

Authoritarian of No Knowledge

Ayam Siam, Salaam. You wrote: “gay and lesbians in labenon? dug your own grave..SERVED YOU RIGHT..If you’re in my ground, i’ll act the same way..YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS AT ALL TO LIVE ON THE FACE OF EARTH..EVEN GOD ALREADY MAKE IT VERY CLEAR.."

Ayam, not unlike many uninformed Muslims — I provide counseling for both heterosexual and Queer Muslims — who much too often think they can judge another Muslim without requisite knowledge of Shari’ah. Seeking solice in Quran (authority) while at the same time becoming the judge (authoritarian), all the while not knowing the history of Islamic theological thought, the actual Sunnah of Prophet Mohammed, ignoring historical facts, and miraculously come to a conclusion that fits very nicely into their narrow and limited view(s) on how Allah’s universe works. You look for answers that suit you, not what serious reflection would reveal. Brother, Queer Muslims are here to stay and in the masjid where you pray, there are a number of Queer Muslims in “straight-face” disguise. But you have to remember your society forces Queer Muslims to marry, brutalize and murder them in anger — have you fought your own internalized fears and “demons”. Ayam, no man is after you, and your fears are unfounded, so why are you after Queer Muslims? It appears it’s not because you believe Allah is Akhbar! If you did, you’d ask questions about things you don’t understand rather than planning to kill your Muslim brother and sister. You make hasty, uniformed judgments — this is not the way for Muslims of knowledge.

xxx @msterdam xxx
05-12-09, 03:22 PM

remark on daayiee comments...

whoever said Ayam Siam was Muslim?
he never says he is....

Sydney Lebanese gay and proud
10-15-09, 08:32 AM

You guys and girls are amazing...

firstly i would like to thank you all for your amazing respond.
If anyone think that been gay is a choice... you have got it all wrong.
I will not ask you to understand my dear reader but i will tell you that been GAY is no difference to been straight, i pray and eat, i go to work everyday socialise with my friends and family im a business man in a big city i walk to work daily (thinking of our environment) i call my mother in the evenings after work for a chat and yes i drink coffee, im a single man with no attitude, i dont hurt anyone i dont hit anyone i dont lie to anyone specialy the people i most love, my family know im proud gay man and i have their love and support for years, i have been in Sydney MardiGras for many years and ill do it again, i will also support GLBT rights in Lebanon next time if im able to attend in time.
If our beautiful GLBT back in the 70s in Sydney did not stand up for their rights Sydney wouldnt have been the same, the amazing new vibe we have made the colours and diversity acceptance and love for the music and freedom is part of been gay. we have rights as human to co-exist with our difrences and believes no man made religion has any rights to tell me what my rights are, my religon is love in every shape and form.

Frankly
12-04-09, 03:28 AM

Keep up the dillusion

Can someone tell me in this jolly liberation march should not Gay paeophiles, bi padeophiles, deviants who sexually abuse animals also be included as well, they can’t help their sexual preferences either..can they? as far as I’m concerned people can do what they like in private whatever their sexual preference but I dont want to see it in society corrupting the young to the idea that it’s all normal.. if these gays had any sense of responsibility they would keep their sexual lives private and not force it down others throats.. what do they want a completely gay world!


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