Censorship
Extensive studies have shown repeatedly that there is a direct and indirect relationship between discrimination and marginalization against LGBT people and major health issues especially in the areas of mental health, HIV/AIDS and access to care. In Lebanon, while stigma and taboo provide an overall context for the marginalization of LGBT issues, including LGBT health, government…
Transgender health guidelines: Covering the gap in knowledge among healthcare providers around transgender health
Beirut, May 10th 2017: With the support of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) brought closer to the Arab speaking world the Standards of Care (SOC) for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals. LebMASH took the initiative to translate these international health guidelines on transgender health…
“Marginalization is bad for health”: A unique initiative by the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LEBMASH)
Beirut, March 13th 2017: With the support of the Dr. Agnes Varis Trust, the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) launched its first LGBT health Week entitled “Marginalization is bad for your health”. This unique initiative, taking place from March 11th till March 17th 2017, aims to raise awareness among the media, the public…
WPATH Arabic SOC
The SOC were translated by Leen Hashem, a BA in Media Studies, MA in Gender Studies, researcher and translator. The booklet was designed by Adel Merheb, BA and MA in Graphic Design, specializing in NGO Branding and Communication. The translated document was reviewed twice by three LebMASH executive board members: Dr. Hasan Abdessamad, an Obstetrician & Gynecologist based in…
LebMASH Elects its Third President Dr. Omar Harfoush
The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, registered in Lebanon. LebMASH aims at advancing sexual health for all individuals in Lebanon, with particular focus on LGBT and other marginalized populations. LebMASH has seen a significant growth in the past four years from a handful of board members to a…
Let’s Talk about Sexual Health
Article appeared in Huffington Post on Oct. 14 2016 When was the last time your doctor talked to you about your sexual health? When was the last time you asked your doctor about the quality and health of your sex life? I practice psychiatry, and although my focus is on mental health, physical health, including…
LPS responds publicly to statements made by one of its members on homosexuality
On May 30th 2016, the Center Catholique d’information in Lebanon held a roundtable discussion on homosexuality. Dr. Samir Jamous, a psychiatrist and a member of the Lebanese Psychiatric Society (LPS), was one of the speakers. It came to LebMASH’s attention through media reports that Dr. Jamous made some disturbing statements that are in direct contrast with the official position…
Letter to Dr. Bizri in response to his radio interview on World AIDS Day
This is a letter sent by LebMASH president on Dec. 9 2014 to Dr. Bizri in response to his radio interview on World AIDS Day. Hello Dr. Bizri, I just heard the interview that you gave last week with Sawt Lebnan Radio station about HIV/AIDS. I, with a group of other physicians, founded LebMASH (the…
In response to an article published by Annahar on Nov. 15, 2014 and titled My father raped me, so I became a homosexual
In Nov. 2014, the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health sent a letter to the editor in response to an article published by Annahar on Nov. 15, 2014 and titled My father raped me, so I became a homosexual Dear Madame/Sir My name is Hossam Mahmoud. I am a psychiatrist and a board member of the…
Third Lebanese Medical Group to Denounce Conversion Therapy
The Lebanese Psychological Association (LPA) has just announced today that “homosexuality is not a mental illness and thus requires no treatment”. This comes one week after the Lebanese Psychiatric Society (LPS) released a similar statement and 2 month after our position statement on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) or what is referred to as “conversion…
Press Release regarding the Dekwaneh Abuse Case
The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) strongly condemns the acts undertaken, based on orders from Mr. Shakhtoura, the Mayor of Dekwaneh on April 21st 2013. According to media reports, personal accounts of victims, and the mayor’s confession on national TV, individuals in Dekwaneh were targeted based on their perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Three men and one…