The First Gay & Lesbian Sit-In in Beirut!
Following the public beating of two homosexuals on Sassine Square in Beirut last January, around 200 people gathered on the afternoon of Sunday, February 22 on Sodeco Square to protest violence and discrimination against minorities, especially homosexuals. Lebanese lesbians and gay men took to the streets in the very first public sit-in organized by Helem in Lebanon and stood almost in disbelief as banners with anti-homophobic and pro-diversity were raised high above the heads. We shall no longer be afraid! You can watch a fantastic video of the sit-in prepared by our allies at the Feminist Collective here.
 

Queer Identity Cards Exhibit
In December 2008, a group of Meems coordinated by Marta Bogdanska from Poland organized a "Queer Identity Cards" exhibit that portrayed individuals' perceptions of identity through photography and words. The exhibit, which took place in Zicco House in Beirut, was the culmination of Marta's research efforts that addressed the question: what are the different elements that go into the formation and expression of a Lebanese queer woman's identity? Members of Lebanon's LGBTQ community attended the event which was followed by a discussion of language, art, religion, sexuality, and various expressions of personal identity.
 

Helem Wins the Felipa de Souza Award
Helem (Lebanese Protection for LGBT) have been honored with the Felipa de Souza by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC). The award recognizes the courage and commitment of NGOs who have made groundbreaking achievements in their countries. and this year's award went to Helem, the first LGBT organization in the Arab world. Read more about it here. Mabrouk Helem! (And it's about time, IGLHRC!)

Bekhsoos il Movements is online!
Our latest Bekhsoos issue, Bekhsoos il Movements, covers a wide range of topics relating to lesbian and feminist movements. The Editor's Pick includes: Pride is a Distraction, Letter to a Friend, Movement-Building, and All of the Ways I am Not Like Emma Goldman. Enjoy reading! And look out for our upcoming issue: Bekhsoos il 534 out in May.
 

International Conference Participation
As part of our capacity-building program, Meem sends many of its members to participate in various workshops and conferences abroad. In February, two Meemers participated in IGLYO's "Intercultural and Ethnic Diversity" study session in Strasbourg. Another member has been accepted out of 50 applicants to join IGLYO's prep team for their upcoming conference: "This is Who We Are" in Amsterdam in July. Other members are speaking on panels also to be held in July: the Coppenhagen OutGames, the Berlin Queer Film Festival, and the Stockholm Pride Week. 
 

Meem Member Makes a Case for Sexual Rights as Human Rights at the International Human Rights Funders Meeting
"10 Reasons Why Human Rights Funding Must Include Sexual Rights" was the title of Meem's presentation at the International Human Rights Funders Meeting in San Francisco last January. The Meem member joined activists from South Africa and Kyrgyzstan in a successful attempt to convince the more conservative human rights funders that sexual rights are a necessary and integral part of human rights and they they deserve more funding globally.
 

إقرئي هذه النشرة باللغة العربية
 

News Bits

► We apologize for being away for 3 months. As you will now read, we've been very busy! That's no excuse; we know. But look on the bright side. Your favorite newsletter is back! <3

► A group of Lebanese citizens calling themselves the Gay-Straight Alliance have initiated an online petition to demand the abolishment of Article 534 from the Lebanese Penal Code. 534 is used to criminalize homosexuality and promote homophobic public opinion. Once the petition hits 10,000 signatures, the organizers are sending it with the signatures to all Lebanese politicians (before or after the upcoming elections). So please sign! And forward it to all your friends as well.

► We're very excited to announce the launch of Lebanon's first-ever Feminist Collective, a group working to promote feminism and gender equality in the Arab world. Among their causes are the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and queer people, as well as those of transsexuals. Congratulations fellow feminists!

► Leading Lebanese pan-Arab television station, LBC, tackled homosexuality on its talkshow, Ahmar Bil Khatt Al Aareed last January. The show sadly failed to be anything but a load of garbage and Meem bloggers expressed their opinions of it, which you can read on our blog: http://meemgroup.blogspot.com.

► Al-Fatiha, the international organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Muslims, has an online survey for Muslims of all cultural and ethnic backgrounds that aims to guide the organization's educational and advocacy work. The survey is anonymous and confidential and can be accessed here: http://www.al-fatiha.org/survey.htm

► 17 Meem members went on a retreat early in January to design Meem's new strategic plan for 2009 under the theme "Feministing Meem."

► Peer transgender support for female-to-male and male-to-female transgender persons in Lebanon is available via email on trans@meemgroup.org.
 

The Meem Blog has been revamped! Check out the new version on Blogspot

► You Are My Faith
► Got Milk?
► Performing a Kiss in Saida in the 1950s
► How Much Thought Do We Put Into Our Moral Judgments?

 

Website Statistics for Mar. 09
www.meemgroup.org

Total Unique Visits in Dec: 6,418
Total Unique Visits in Jan: 6,532
Total Unique Visits in Feb: 5,967