With support from the Dr. Agnes Varis Trust, the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) organized the first LGBT health week in Lebanon under the slogan “marginalization is bad for health” to raise awareness among the public, the media, and the health care professionals about the negative effects of marginalization and discrimination in the health of LGBT people.
| Saturday March 11, 2017 | Medical Conference | USJ Medical Campus | 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Sunday March 12, 2017 | Student Workshop | AUB – Issam Fares Hall | 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM |
| Monday March 13, 2017 | Press Conference | Smallville Hotel, Badaro | 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM |
| Wednesday 15, 2017 | Grand Rounds Talk | AUBMC, OBGYN Department | 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM |
| Wednesday 15, 2017 | FHS Talk | AUB – Van Dyck Auditorium | 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM |
| Wednesday 15, 2017 | LebMASH Annual Reception & Award Ceremony | Madam Om | 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM |
During the press conference LebMASH launched the 3 campaign videos that were later disseminated on social media.
The first video features a sexual health specialist who wants to treat all his patients equally. He explains that unfortunately, article 534 of the Lebanese penal code prevents him from doing his job effectively. He calls for this law to be abolished
The second video highlights how the support that this loving mom gave her son helped him get the proper care for his HIV. It highlights how having a supportive family is a protective factor against HIV.
The third video highlights the fact that homosexuality itself is not a mental illness but being subjected to chronic stress puts LGBT people at a higher risk of having mental health issues. Support from family is a protective factor against having mental health issues