The capital city of Lebanon made history this week, celebrating Pride officially for the first time in a member state of the Arab League.
Beirut and surrounds hosted over a dozen events attended by approximately 4,000 people, with the rainbow flag flying high at a number of venues in the city’s nightlife district Mar Mikhael.
Lebanon still has a number of laws that discriminate against the LGBTIQ community, including jail time for the still-listed crime of sodomy. Beirut Pride organiser Hadi Damien told The Telegraph that the turn-out has surpassed any expectations.
Damien told media that 450 people, quadruple the attendees expected, marked Pride with a storytelling event where they shared personal experiences as members and allies of the LGBTIQ community.
Though the event was lauded as an overall success, the inaugural Beirut Pride was off to a rocky start with the opening event being cancelled after online threats from an extreme Islamist collective.
Proud Lebanon spokesperson Cosette Maalouf told media the host hotel had to cancel the week’s first event with less than 24 hours notice.
“The hotel apologised and said they couldn’t provide security for everyone,” Maalouf said.
“[The venue had also] received pressure from the Lebanese authorities to cancel the event.”
Despite the early troubles, organisers have said they are invigorated by the success of the week’s celebrations, and have begun plans for Beirut Pride 2018.
OIP Staff
Image:- Twitter
