During these extraordinary times, and in keeping with its mandate, the Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship is launching “Stories Behind the Headlines” (SBH), an open series of original content created and curated by Tala Nassif and Charbel Chaaya. This series will explore not only the ways in which the civic space is engaging with the current polycrisis which now revolves around war, displacement, and economic collapse, through bringing the voices and lived experiences of frontliners and vulnerable groups and individuals.
Tala and Charbel will explore and identify the intersectionality of systems of oppression in Lebanon with now an added layer of war and displacement. They will highlight the experiences of colleagues within the American University of Beirut community as well as civil society partners and folks who directly bear the brunt of a major disaster such as the current war. This series also offers space to colleagues and partners wishing to share their own voices and reflections during these testing times. In doing this, we seek to capture the diaries of this war from the perspective of vulnerabilities and vulnerable groups.
We would like to share with you the first article by Charbel Chaaya below.
Sheltered in Silence: Helem’s Response to the Ongoing War’s Impact on the Queer Community in Lebanon
This article examines the struggles of Lebanon’s queer community amid the ongoing war. Doumit Azzi Draiby highlights how Helem, the first LGBTQIA+ rights organization in the Arab world, provides essential support through safe shelters and supplies, while addressing the significant challenges of operating without official recognition and assistance.
We hope that you will find this series useful and helpful as a means of learning, contribution, and creation.
Lina Abou-Habib
Director
Asfari Institute for Civil Society and Citizenship
American University of Beirut
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