Beirut Pride’s Multi-Sectoral Framework

 

Understanding that decriminalization of LGBT status in Lebanon is the cornerstone to improving LGBTIQ+ realities, and stemming from the needs of LGBTIQ+ people, this framework recognizes that no single sector can address the multiple drivers, vulnerabilities, and impacts surrounding this file.

This framework therefore suggests the coordination of an integrated, multifaceted, and multi-level response, that expands through a mix of interventions, and involves an array of stakeholders from multiple sectors in the design, development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the response to criminalization of LGBT status.

To this end, it focuses on the decriminalization effort of LGBT status in Lebanon; raises awareness around LGBTIQ+ realities; designs support for LGBTIQ+ people, their families and connections; disseminates accurate information; and refutes false information in order to maintain credibility, and to prevent further hate and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people.

To ensure efficacy, this multi-sectoral system aims to be in the know of what’s happening, to anticipate prospective situations, to document, prevent, address, solve, and communicate within its sectors in order to respond in a holistic, inclusive and comprehensive manner.

The proposed framework involves the following sectors while it is not limited to them:

 

The Executive Sector

government, ministries, security agencies and their respective directions

The Legislative Sector

parliament, members of parliament and relevant committees

The Judiciary Sector

general prosecution, judges, and courts

 

The Academic Sector

universities, schools, institutes, research centers, and institutions of learning

The Civil Society

LGBTIQ+ people, families, key populations, opinion makers, celebrities, their fanbase, NGOs, social and political organizations (unions, syndicates), religious institutions, the silent majority, the critical mass, the general public, elected officials, present politicians, and the Lebanese diaspora

The Human Rights Structures

OHCHR, IE-SOGI, HR defenders, European court for HR

 

The Corporate World

businesses, insurance companies, employment and labor laws

The Development Partners

international programs, international NGOs and embassies

The Media

TV, radios, portals, newspapers, advertisement, storytelling, etc

 
 

Beirut Pride’s Thematic Action

 

Anti-Homophobia Response

  • Hate speech reporting and follow-up with Instagram, Google, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter;

  • The American University of Beirut Outlook homophobic articles reporting, follow-up and set up of AUB-based LGBTIQ+ panels;

  • The Lebanese American University social media homophobia reporting, follow-up and set up of LAU-based LGBTIQ+ panels;

  • Gavin Ford’s murder, reporting to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Interior, the Minister of Justice and the General Prosecutor, suggesting administrative memo to frame the LGBTIQ+ discourse, and asking for considering aggravating circumstances should homophobia be a crime alibi, follow-up;

  • Mass media targeted outreach to frame LGBTIQ+ discourse and suggesting an LGBTIQ+ lexicon to use;

  • Network of families and friends of LGBTIQ+ people;

  • Gathering data on violence and crimes (hate crimes, honor crimes).

Politics

  • Opened channels of communication with political parties and authorities;

  • Actively lobbied for LGBTIQ+ advancement in the frame of the Parliamentary elections of May 2018 with the assistance of political scientists, advisors and politicians;

  • Issued a paper on LGBTIQ+ electorate challenges in the frame of the 2018 Parliament elections;

  • Regular meetings with politicians and security authorities;

  • Responded to the October 2018 Inter-Parliamentary Union in Geneva and developed response about homophobic discourse;

  • Drafting parliament bill to repeal articles used to criminalize LGBT status;

  • Constant leverage of the Network of Diplomats for Equality.

 

International Outreach

  • Capitalizing on the Lebanese of the diaspora and on their willingness to assist;

  • Communication with Lebanese diplomatic representations;

  • Membership of InterPride, the international organization of Prides;

  • Co-author of the Call of Marseilles for the Mediterranean Prides in July 2018;

  • Member of All Out NGO International advisory board; 

  • Series of participation in high-level diplomatic, academic, institutional and business panels and fora.

Religions

  • Opened channels of communication with religious poles and authorities in Lebanon and abroad (the Vatican);

  • Regular meetings with religious personalities;

  • Adapting into Arabic religious books centered on LGBTIQ+ realities;

  • Designing a safe place for LGBTIQ+ persons and their families.

 

Art & Culture

  • Commissioning a gender-fluidity fashion exhibition and talk;

  • Holding movie screenings and debates with screenwriters, directors, and actors; 

  • Commissioning drag workshops, lip-synch performances, and a grand ball; 

  • Commissioning storytelling nights;

  • Commissioning the Arabic 14 Stages of Love for Valentine's Day;

  • Co-producing LGBTIQ+ centered concerts;

  • Adapting French play Ogres into Arabic;

  • Commissioning poetry nights;

  • Co-launching the Bohemian Rhapsody movie;

  • Commissioning a representation of No Demand, No Supply play about women trafficking;

  • Producing the We Learn From Lebanon short movie;

  • Photography documentation of LGBT graffitis in the frame of the 2019 Protests;

  • Adapting The Art of Boo Resist Persist Rebuild after the Beirut Explosion.

In addition to

  • Trainings & Continuous Education

  • Research & Publications

  • Development of LGBT groups in academic institutions, in the private sector, and in the diplomatic ranks

  • Sports

  • Technology

  • Philanthropy (social assistance, World Cleanup Day with JCI Lebanon, Dafa Campaign, Charity Drag)

  • Social (duties, visit of potential associates, entertaining correspondence)