The Evolution of Media Representing Syria’s LGBTQIA+ Community
In Syria, silence has never simply been a personal choice, it was a state-imposed cultural and media policy. For decades, queer Syrians were rendered invisible: ignored by the press, criminalized by the authorities, and avoided by society. But that long-standing silence began to crack with the rise of digital spaces, and a new generation emerged, […]
Mob Bullying: Tens of Young Men Harass a Transgender Woman in Damascus
Over the past two days, a video showing tens of young men in Damascus, Syria, chasing and swarming a transgender woman has been circulating widely on social media. The incident took place less than a week ago in one of Damascus’s well-known parks. It has sparked outrage among some segments of Syrian society due to […]
What Is Drag Art? Drag King “Zaza” on Self-Honesty & Acceptance
Drag art is not merely about the clothes we wear or the makeup we apply; it is, first and foremost, a revolution within ourselves, and then against the deeply rooted stereotypes that shape us. It serves as a space for expressing identity, with no fixed rules. Despite its many forms, this diversity is more of […]
As-Suwayda Under Fire: Escalating Humanitarian Crisis and Human Rights Implications for the Most Vulnerable
Issued by: Guardians of Equality Movement – For Social and civil rights of the Syrian LGBTQIA+ Community in the Face of Conflict and Crisis Date of Issue: July 20, 2025 Introduction and General Context Since July 13, 2025, As-Suwayda governorate in southern Syria has entered an unprecedented phase of security escalation following violent clashes between […]
Syrian and Turkish Wildfires: An Environmental Catastrophe Deepening Social Vulnerability
Issued by: Guardians of Equality Movement (GEM), for Environmental and Social Justice for the LGBTQIA+ Community in SyriaDate: July 5, 2025 1. Introduction and Context While both Syria and Turkey are attempting to recover from successive disasters most notably the February 2023 earthquake that left thousands dead, injured, and displaced, and caused massive destruction to […]
Reduction of Operations and activities Due to Funding Cuts
With deep sadness, we announce that GEM is temporarily reducing operations and pausing some activities due to an unexpected and severe funding cut — at a time when urgent requests from our community are at an all-time high. This difficult decision affects the following: 🔸 Cash Assistance: All current urgent and non-urgent cases are paused […]
The Jasmine Scent That Lingers: A Gay Man in New Syria
A Meeting Amid the Scent of Jasmine When I visited him at his home, I sat in his small room. The scent of jasmine drifted in through the open window, mingling with the aroma of slowly brewing coffee—as if trying to resist time, just like us. He looked at me with eyes that held remnants […]
Fashion as a Coded Language: How Lesbians Defy Norms
Coming out for members of the Syrian LGBTQIA+ community (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender people, queer individuals, intersex, asexual, and others) is a difficult and complex process, and it is certainly not straightforward. This description applies even to those who have left the country. But for those still living inside Syria, the most accurate way to […]
LGBTQIA+ individuals in Syria after the fall of the Assad regime
Executive Summary: The challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in Syria surpass those encountered by this community in other countries. Wars and conflicts have led to increased violence, repressive legislation, and social stigma. Therefore, empowerment projects play a vital role in supporting these individuals by aiming to improve their financial, professional, and educational status, enhance psychological […]
Asexuality Is My Identity: Reflections on Love and Self
An Identity in Search of Its Place: Between Presence and Difference I have always searched for a place of my own within the vast human spectrum—a space where identity can shape itself freely, without constraint. I would observe and listen to conversations about love, attraction, and desire, yet I could never see my reflection in […]
