“Modern Liberalism”: Assad’s Approach to Attacking Freedoms… How Did Asma al-Assad Involve the Issue of Homosexuality in Her Visit to China?

As part of a systematic strategy by the Syrian regime, Asma al-Assad recently targeted the LGBTQIA+ community, considering it the cornerstone of “modern liberalism.” In an attempt to portray LGBTQIA+  individuals as a weapon created by the West to threaten values and ethics in society, she made these remarks during a speech to university students […]

Joint statement | Forced deportation is a crime.

The forced deportation of Syrian refugees in Lebanon must cease. The signatory human rights organizations condemn the continued forced deportation of Syrian refugees from their host territory to Syria by Lebanese authorities. Such forcibly returned persons may be at immediate risk of arrest, torture, rape, sexual violence, enforced disappearances upon their arrival in Syria, and […]

OFFICIAL STATEMENT: DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE AFFECTS GEM’S BENEFICIARIES/TEAM IN SYRIA & TURKEY

On 6 February, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake centered in Gaziantep, Turkey heavily impacted Southern Turkey and Northern Syria. This earthquake was followed by other large-scale earthquakes throughout the day, causing more than 6,000 buildings to crumble. With Guardians of Equality Movement (GEM) headquartered in Gaziantep, our staff and beneficiaries have been highly affected by this earthquake. […]

EFFECTS OF DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKES ON SYRIAN LGBTQIA+ letter

On 6 February, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake centered in Gaziantep, Turkey heavily impacted Southern Turkey and Northern Syria, killing over 47,000 people and injuring thousands. This has since been followed by 6.4 and 5.8-magnitude earthquakes on 20 February in areas that were already severely destroyed. With Guardians of Equality Movement (GEM) operating from Gaziantep and remotely […]

Commemorating Pride Month 2022

Every year in June, Pride Month is celebrated to recognise the impact that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning individuals have made in local, national, and international settings. This month, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQIA+ Pride Month events attracting millions of participants worldwide. Memorials are held during this […]

Joint statement on the second anniversary of the death of Sarah Hegazy

Background: Sarah Hegazy was an Egyptian lesbian and queer political activist. In 2017, Sarah was detained for three months and tortured in prison after her public appearance at Mashrou’ Leila concert in Cairo, a band in which the singer is openly gay, waving the pride flag that symbolizes the LGBTQI+ community around the world. As […]

Statement on the Exclusion of Syrian LGBTQIA+ from the Brussels Conference

The crisis in Syria has affected millions of people both economically and politically, with losses affecting hundreds of thousands.  Such crises highly impact the most vulnerable groups, including minorities and LGBTQIA+ individuals. The LGBTQIA+ community has continually faced discrimination on a social and political level in Syria, and were one of the first communities to […]