‘We are Lebanese citizens seeking to live in dignity, exercise our rights and duties with equality when dealing with co-citizens.’
Over 2,000 people joined Laïque Pride (a secular walk towards citizenship) today in Beirut. After a gruesome civil war, Lebanon is still suffering from the backlashes of sectarianism. Today proved however, that the Lebanese have had enough of sectarianism tearing the country apart and want a real tangible change. For once, People in Lebanon peacefully marched in solidarity in order to prove to the Lebanese government and the International Community that a separation of Religion from the State is not only needed but desperately wanted too.
There were many blocks that went down to represent their ideologies and causes today. The two blocks that affected me the most was Nasawiya’s dancing and music filled group and the Queer Block. The feminists showed up in their usual bulk in order to yet again remind the world that they exist and they are not going anywhere fast. As usual, their impact was noticed and beautifully choreographed to add to the hustle and bustle that was ongoing, as well as supporting the cause.
The Queer Block on the other hand showed up with only 5 members and yet happened to make quite a storm. With a banner that read ‘A7rar El Jeness Ma3 El 3elmeniyeh’ (Queers for Secularism), the Queer Block marched along with the crowd chanting ‘Shou tayfte? Ma Khassak! Ma3 min bnem? Ma khassak’ (What’s Your Sect? None of Your Buisness! Who Do You Sleep With? None Of Your business) and other catchy phrases. In the middle of the crowd, two men who were participating with the Queer Block publicly kissed for all to see while holding the banner ‘Queers for Secularism’. The Block went on to hold a small dance session and marched until the crowd dwindled down.
Today, I am very proud to say that I was a part of that Queer Block. It was the most empowering experience of my life to hold up that banner and make a stand in front of all those people and remind them that we not only exist, but that we stand in solidarity with them in the fight for secularism. Get ready fellow queers, the Revolution has started.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Have A Very Queer Laïque Pride
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
So, What’s My Deal With LGBTQ Marriage?
A lot of talk has been going on for the past couple of years about allowing members of the LGBTQ community to marry or take part in civil marriage/partnership. People all over the world are fighting for this ‘right’ to marry their partners and become equal to their straight counterparts. Sounds like a simple concepts right? So what’s my deal with gay marriage anyways?
The concept and context of ‘marriage’ revolves around a religious aspect. In the bible for example, one of the main definitions of marriage is: “Marriage shall consist of a union between one man and one or more women.” Christianity, Islam, and most religions / religious institutions have never accepted homosexuality within their framework and make it a point to attack it at every chance they get.
Another problem with gay marriage is the same problem I have with many aspects of what members of the LGBTQ community want to fight for (ex: the right to serve in the military, but that’s a different story). Why does the fight for all of these rights seem to revolve around the idea of becoming part of a melting pot? We should start viewing ourselves as a ‘salad bowl’ (where everything is added and mixed) rather than the melting pot where everyone should be integrated into the ‘standard’ version of society. We do not need to become a part of a hetero-normative tradition in order to be accepted into society. The idea of trying to fit our puzzle piece within the larger puzzle board does not make sense to me. Why do the sacrifices of ideologies, lifestyles, and individuality always need to be oppressed, smothered, and twisted by 'minorities' until it fits the view that the 'majority' would like to see from us?
Honestly? I do not need nor want to sign a paper to prove to the world that I love someone. I do not need nor want the benefits like being considered family, joint bank accounts, and having my children approved as part of my family because these are concepts and priviliges that WE should define or control for ourselves not the man or woman sitting in their government offices. I do not need nor want the approval on that piece of paper to be justified in being with my partner. Marriage is just another way for organizing, labelling, and controlling the general population. This constant need to be accepted by the heter-onormative population should be tackled at the root. The queer community does differ from the straight community and we should learn to stop trying so hard to integrate ourselves in order to be considered a government approved commodity. so explain to me, why do we really need gay marriage again?
