At Home Not Alone 2020 Writing Competition

LebMASH launched a writing competition that goes in line with our social media campaign “At Home Not Alone” through which LebMASH has shared helpful resources to the LGBT community that could help them during these tough times of confinement following the outbreak of COVID-19. These resources ranged from mindful activities, self-care tips, resources to food donation initiatives during the challenging economic crisis, and more. You can take a look at our Instagram page by clicking here (and give us a follow if you haven’t already).

The writing contest At Home Not Alone 2020 called for essays/narratives/any forms of writing related to the experiences, opportunities, challenges, and/or struggles faced by the LGBT community during the COVID-19 social distancing measures. LebMASH offered 3 winners cash prizes of 400,000 LBP, 350,000 LBP, and 300,00 LBP respectively for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd winner.

Meeting with students from CHanGE program in Belgium through UCOS

The University Centre for Development Cooperation in Belgium (UCOS), we were put in contact with UCOS (www.ucos.be) is a Belgian NGO that wishes to contribute to sustainable human development, by promoting global citizenship among Belgian higher education students. This goal is pursued by organizing courses, seminars, training sessions and international exchanges for students. One of their main projects is called CHanGE (Campaign for sexual Health and Gender Equality), in which they support students in the struggle for global gender equality and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights. Each year, they work intensively with a group of young CHanGEmakers, offering them an intensive preparation process, after which they travel to one of our partner countries all over the globe. After meeting with a representative from UCOS a few months back, we were put in contact with a few CHanGEmakers, who visited Lebanon and our offices. These students met with our executive director Souad Al Challah and expressed their interest in assisting LebMASH through internship opportunities. We look forward to working with them!

IDAHOT 2019

Commemorating the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder, LebMASH recognized the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia and calls for celebrating gender freedom and the power of love! This year, LebMASH was also invited to attend Helem’s official IDAHOT 2019 reception and poster exhibition titled “Power Bonds”.

Break the Silence Competition 2019

LebMASH called for students in any health field to submit a review-of-literature or research paper about sexual health or health of sexual minorities in Lebanon. The winner was awarded $1,500 to support their travel and accommodation to attend the international Gay and Lesbian Medical Association— Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality (GLMA) conference in the U.S. There were several applications submitted and reviewed by the LebMASH Scientific Committee.

NEDWA 2019

Inspired by the growing landscape of movements for sexuality, gender, and bodily rights in the MENA region, the annual conference NEDWA by the Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality was launched on September 27th under the theme “Stronger Roots for Stronger Alliances”

Participation in AUB’s MPH Practicum

LebMASH participated in this year’s Masters in Public Health Practicum Preceptors’ Meeting at the American University of Beirut. LebMASH was represented by our executive director Souad Al Challah, our administrative associate Saleem Zein, and our executive board member Dr. Zavi Lakissian, who presented LebMASH’s mission and vision, and our future projects which would welcome interested students from AUB to partake in.

Kol el Alwan Music Video Launch

LebMASH was invited to and attended The Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality’s launching event to their new song Kol el Alwan (Click here to watch the music video). LebMASH was represented by 2 of our executive board members Tarek Koussaifi and Dr. Zavi Lakissian, as well as our executive director Souad Al Challah and our administrative associate Saleem Zein. It was a lovely networking event where once again the Lebanese Coalition for LGBT Rights stands together in solidarity with marginalized communities.

Break the Silence Competition 2019

LebMASH called for students in any health field to submit a review-of-literature or research
paper about sexual health or health of sexual minorities in Lebanon. The winner was awarded $1,500 to support their travel and accommodation to attend the international Gay and Lesbian Medical Association— Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ Equality (GLMA) conference in the U.S. There were several applications submitted and reviewed by the LebMASH Scientific Committee.


CONGRATULATIONS to Johnny Zakhour on winning first place for his paper titled “Patients-
upcoming physicians relationship in the LGBT community in Lebanon: two points of view”.
Johnny was awarded $1,500, which supported him to attend the 37th Annual GLMA Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana in September 2019, where he presented his study.


CONGRATULATIONS to Aya Touma Sawaya on winning second place for her paper titled “The Representation of Homosexual Individuals in Lebanese Media”. Aya will receive mentorship
from our LebMASH team to publish her work in professional or peer reviewed journals!