Beirut: a city of refuge in the Arab world for the LGBTQ+ community? If the Lebanese capital has such a positive image, it's not from nowhere. It’s the result of years of activism.
These few victories should not, however, conceal a much darker reality in Lebanon. The country’s political, social and economic crises are growing and have especially impacted the LGBTQ+ community, according to observers on the ground.
From the economic downfall to the explosion in the port of Beirut, not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic, recent events have destroyed some of this community's safe havens and reduced an already fragile level of freedom.
This is a step backward in a country that, despite its tolerant image, has always maintained a homophobic legislative framework, and where negative public perceptions of LGBTQ+ people prevail.
For Pride Month, a worldwide celebration held every year in June as a reminder of the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, we explain it all to you in just five minutes.
