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…
Meeting with FHI360
FHI 360 is an international nonprofit working to improve the health and well-being of people in the United States and around the world. FHI partners with governments, the private sector and civil society to bring about positive social change and to provide lifesaving health care, quality education and opportunities for meaningful economic participation. We do…
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…
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.…
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” “We believe that the basis of any strong movement lies in its roots.…
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…
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…
LGBT Health Week 2019
With the support of the ARCUS fund, our 3rd annual LGBT Health Week came about in March 2019! Under this year’s slogan “امتياز بلا تمييز”,”Excellence Without Discrimination”, this year’s LGBT Health Week kick-started. March 12: Improving Equity in the Provision of Palliative Care in Lebanon Roundtable Discussion Our Health Week started with an expert round…
Annual Benefit Auction
The busiest month of the year kicked off with the launching of our annual benefit auction, which was hosted on ArtScoops.com. Twenty-nine generous artists had donated beautiful pieces to be auctioned off in support of LebMASH’s cause.
LGBT Health Week 2018
“Shakhess mesh tashkhiss” is the slogan of LebMASH’s second annual LGBT health week that will take place March 17-19, 2018. The main message of this campaign is not to medicalize homosexuality by trying to frame it as a psychological, hormonal, or genetic disturbance. The slogan also encompasses LebMASH’s 3 signature diamond shaped dots that represent: research, education, and policy. For…
LebMASH’s 5th Halloween Party
On Oct 28, 2017, the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) celebrated Halloween Middle Eastern style, for the fifth year in a row. The event took place at the Loft in New York City and was very well attended. More than 150 people showed up to dance to Arabic music by Australian Lebanese DJ…
LebMASH Teams Up with AUB’s Gender and Sexuality Club
Dr. Angela Massouh, LebMASH board member and Mr. Maher Sleiman, LebMASH volunteer presented about Sexual Health and Sexually Transmitted Infections on September 29 at the American University of Beirut Gender and Sexuality club. The presentation addressed healthy sexual behaviors and tackled the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It introduced the audience to the several…
“Advocate for a Healthier Lebanon” Reflections from BTS Grant Winner
The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) calls on students interested in sexual health and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) health to participate in the annual “Break the Silence” competition and the winner gets the opportunity to attend a conference in the U.S. This year’s winner is Emile Whaibeh for the paper titled…
Insights into Transgender Health in USA – Research by Dr. Ballout
Dr. Suha Ballout, LebMASH board member and Assistant Professor at University of Massachusetts Boston College of Nursing and Health Sciences, presented at GLMA. The talk titled “Transgender Health: An Analysis of Chronic Health Conditions Using the 2015 Population-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey BRFSS” presented findings of an analysis conducted by Dr. Ballout to examine…
LebMASH Honored for LGBT Health Advocacy
On the 16th of September, LebMASH was the recipient of the 2017 LGBT Health Achievement Award at the 35th GLMA Annual conference on LGBT Health held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This prestigious award has honored, since 1999, different schools, organizations and individuals who contribute to the advancement and inclusion of LGBT health issues in health care.…
From Marginalization to Resilience: Journey of LGBT Health in Lebanon
LebMASH board members Dr. Sarah Abboud, Dr. Suha Ballout, Dr. Omar Harfouch, Dr. Hossam Mahmoud, and Johns Hopkins School of Public Health intern Katie Wright presented a workshop at the 35th GLMA Annual Conference on LGBT Health. The workshop was titled “LebMASH’s Journey from Marginalization to Resilience.” The workshop showcased LebMASH’s path to resilience by…
LGBT Health Week 2017
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…
Trans Health Press Conference
On May 10th, 2017, the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) held a Press Conference on Transgender Health at Smallville Hotel, Badaro. The event included:The Launch of the Arabic Translation of the Standards of Care for Transgender Individuals (available here)& Results of an analysis of Lebanese doctor’s knowledge about transgender health Speakers included:Omar Harfouch, MD, MPH…
LebMASH 2016 Annual Reception and Award Gala in Beirut
On March 24 2016, the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) hosted its Annual Reception & Award Gala in Ashkal-Alwan, Beirut, Lebanon. The Swiss Embassy was represented by its 2eme Secrétaire, Mr. Chasper Sarott. LebMASH had the opportunity to thank the Swiss Embassy for their generous grant in support of “Shu EL Sabab” awareness…
LebMASH, USJ, and Hotel-Dieu Talk Sexual Health
In collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry at Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital and Saint Joseph University (USJ), LebMASH delivered a half-day educational activity addressing health of sexual minorities as part of the “matinées scientifiques” on March 26 2016.The topics covered dealing with LGBT individuals in a clinical setting, lesbian health, LGBT mental health and general social challenges faced…
NYC Hosts LebMASH’s 3 rd Annual Fundraiser
LebMASH had its third Halloween party and fundraiser in New York City on Friday Oct 30, 2015 at Loft 20. More than 150 people attended the event, some travelling in from Cleveland, SF, Miami, Charleston, Philadelphia, and even Kuwait to attend. Everyone enjoyed Lebanese heavy appetizers, music and a live performance by Sultana. The event…
Crowdsourcing Saves Student Scholarship
Our Zoomaal Campaign that ran from Sept. 1st till Nov. 2nd, 2015 just ended raising $5,760 and achieving 115% of our set goal. In content and add title Crowdsourcing saves student scholarship. The campaign received 2277 views, 962 shares and was backed by 57 contributors divided as follows: 28 from USA raising $3,685 13 from…
Every 3 Days, Someone Commits Suicide in Lebanon
The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health LebMASH participated in the awareness campaign launched by Embrace Fund on suicide in Lebanon, which took place on September 13th, 2015 in Rawsheh, Beirut. Women and men (and all others on the gender spectrum) from all backgrounds and of all ages gathered at 5am at Beit el Ward. Among those…
Lebanon Launches National Strategy for Mental Health
On May 14th, 2015 the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) participated in the launching event of the National Strategy for Mental Health and Substance Use 2015-2020 at the Lebanese University, Al-Mathaf, Beirut. Dr. Chady Ibrahim, executive board member, represented LebMASH at the event that was hosted by the Ministry of Public Health in…
PAHO Meeting
On December 9 and 10 of 2015 , Dr. Rami Baz represented LebMASH at the PAHO-WHO “Regional Meeting on the Health of LGBT Persons and Human Rights”. LebMASH was the only organization to be invited by PAHO from outside the Americas. Dr. Baz shared LebMASHs experience with participants and participated in the brainstorming working groups…
LebMASH/LeMSIC filling a gap in medical student education and training
As part of its vision, the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) works with students to raise their awareness and develop their capacities on sexual health and healthcare with no discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation or gender identity. On March 20-21 2015, LebMASH in cooperation with LeMSIC group, conducted a 2-day training workshop…
2015 Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality Award
Dr. Brigitte Khoury will be the recipient of LebMASH’s Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality Award. LebMASH decided to start this yearly award program in 2015 to recognize individual health care providers, clinics, or organizations that demonstrate excellence in affirmative care of LGBT individuals. We are proud to present the first award to Dr. Khoury in acknowledgment…
The Lebanese Society of Family Medicine 13th annual conference on Gender, Health and Sexuality
Dr. Chadi Ibrahim, LebMASH executive board member, and Dr. Sandrine Atallah, LebMASH partner, presented at the Lebanese Society of Family Medicine 13th annual conference on Gender, Health and Sexuality held at The Crowne Plaza in Beirut on Nov. 15, 2014. Dr. Ibrahim presented on how to take a sexual history in a primary care setting. His talk…
LebMASH at AUB: Clinical Approaches to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Patients
On the 31st May, 2014, the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) held a 5-session medical conference on health needs of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) individuals in Lebanon, in the West Hall of the American University of Beirut (AUB). The day commenced with an introduction by Dr. Faysal El-Kak, a senior lecturer at…
LebMASH at USJ: Homosexuality Seen by the Professionals
Chaired by Dr. Sami Richa, head of psychiatry at the university, and Father Michel Scheuer, head of the university’s ethics department, the talk was the first time that the subject of sexuality and gender identity had been broached within the Jesuit-run university. In his introductory address, Dr. Richa explained that the goal was to understand…
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) People in Clinical Services
The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) and The Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health Project at the Faculty of Health Sciences at the American University of Beirut held a full day CME activity on LGBT people in clinical services at the Bathish Auditorium in the American University of Beirut on May 31st, 2014. This…
Working with LGBT clients and their families
The Lebanese Psychological Association (LPA) in collaboration with the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) presented an event to psychologists about “Working with LGBT clients and their families” on May 24, 2014 at the Crowne Plaza, Beirut. The event was sold out shortly after it was announced.