Helem

Helem (Arabic: حلم, Lebanese Arabic pronunciation: ; which means ‘dream’) is the first LGBTQIA+ rights non-governmental organization in the Arab world, founded in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2001¹. Its mission is to lead a non-violent struggle for the liberation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other persons with non-conforming sexualities and/or gender identities (LGBTQIA+) in Lebanon and the MENA region from all sorts of violations of their individual and collective civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Helem's name was also an acronym in Arabic that stood for “Lebanese protection for the LGBT community” (Arabic: حماية لبنانية للمثليين/ات والمزدوجين/ات المغايرين/ات, or حلم.م.م.م.م.م). Officially founded in October 2004¹ when it sent its documents to the ministry of interior and was led by George Azzi then Ghassan Makarem then Charbel Mayda then Samira Trad then Genwa Samhat then Tarek Zeidan.

Helem (Arabic: حلم, Lebanese Arabic pronunciation: ; which means ‘dream’) is the first LGBTQIA+ rights non-governmental organization in the Arab world, founded in Beirut, Lebanon, in 2001. Its mission is to lead a non-violent struggle for the liberation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and other persons with non-conforming sexualities and/or gender identities (LGBTQIA+) in Lebanon and the MENA region from all sorts of violations of their individual and collective civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights. Helem's name was also an acronym in Arabic that stood for “Lebanese protection for the LGBT community” (Arabic: حماية لبنانية للمثليين/ات والمزدوجين/ات المغايرين/ات, or حلم.م.م.م.م.م). Officially founded in October 2004 when it sent its documents to the ministry of interior and was led by George Azzi then Ghassan Makarem then Charbel Mayda then Samira Trad then Genwa Samhat then Tarek Zeidan. ==Organization== Helem runs various programs and advocacy campaigns and provides a wide range of services to members of the LGBTQIA+ community in Lebanon, including emergency response, case management, legal assistance, social support, family support, and mental health support. It also runs the largest non-commercial queer space in the MENA region through its community center and prioritizes decriminalization, labor rights, housing, hate speech, and economic empowerment as advocacy priorities. Its current executive director is Tarek Zeidan. ==History== ==Studies and Publications== Homophobia: Views and Positions, 2006 A Book Not About Vegetation, or Bugs, or Cars, or Travel..., 2006 I LOVE THEM, BUT..., 2009 Souhaq, 2007 Homosexuality and Bisexuality: myths and facts, 2009 Only 534, 2009 Homophobia in Clinical Services in Lebanon: A Physician Survey, 2009 Homosexuality in the Law: A Case Study done in Arab Countries with a concentration on Lebanon and Tunisia, 2010 ==Recognition and impact== Helem was the first officially-registered and publicly visible LGBT organization in the Middle East/North Africa region. On January 23, 2009, the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC) announced Helem as the winner of Felipa de Souza Award in honor of their work to improve LGBTI rights and the rights of those who face discrimination for their HIV status. ==See also== Meem (group) LGBT rights in Lebanon List of LGBT rights organisations ==References== ==External links== Helem Lebanon official website Helem Montreal site Helem Paris

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