14/05/2025
[ Français & العربية –> ]
Seven years ago, police raided Beirut Pride and arrested its organizer. The Beirut Public Prosecutor ordered further raids on the venues where our events were scheduled, suspended the planned activities, and initiated proceedings for organizing events that "incite debauchery".
In these seven years, we've seen a lot: social polarization, October 17, the Covid-19 pandemic, socio-economic collapse, the double explosion at the port of Beirut on August 4, 2020 and its aftermath, elections, the destruction of the 2022 Blooming Billboard flower installation, attacks on drag queen shows, war, massacres around us, change of regimes, revised political positioning, new players, the same old players, new leadership, emerging practices, more introspection and more authenticity.
In these seven years, we have been less public, mending our wounds, with dignity, while continuing our outreach across geographies, generations, and disciplines, proudly supporting more and more independent initiatives.
After seven years, LGBT dignity remains non-negotiable, and the decriminalization of LGBT status may be the next big story.
Seven years seems like an eternity to us, and since visibility has always been our key, we acknowledge how we miss the public space and how it misses us back. And for that, we will see you soon ❤️