Helem celebrates international day to fight homophobia amidst an opposing demonstration

The Helem organisation and its supporters celebrated last Sunday in Sunflower Theater, Tayyouneh, the international day against homophobia IDAHO.  The event included an address by lawyer Nizar Saghieh calling for an exemplary legal for the removal of article 534 of the penal code and which he felt is the best way to address homophobia.

This event did not go unnoticed as a group of young people gathered in front of the event venue while carrying post signs invoking "religion", "traditions" and the "rules of nature".  According to the Al Akhbar newspaper, the protesters were provoked by the event's poster which they accused of being "lewd".  They even threatened to take over and burn the place if it was not for the presence of the security forces. They also threated that they will not keep quiet should such event recur in the future.

Responding to the protest, Rana, a member of Helem’s steering committee, said that what the protesters did was only "natural" in a society which has not evolved and especially that Helem has recently scored a number of gains in relation to the anal tests and in reaction to the closure of the Ghost night club in Dekwaneh.  She added that the purpose of Helem’s actions is to send a clear message that LGBTs are an integral part of the Lebanese community and that they will not back off everytime there is opposition against them.  
Source: Al-Akhbar 10 June 2013