Canada and Norway for Syria 🇳🇴🇨🇦🇸🇾🏳️🌈
From June 20 to 28, 2025, GEM went to the Oslo Pride, not just to celebrate but to influence and advocate for the promotion of the Syrian LGBTQIA+ communities.
Oslo Pride was a very busy and meaningful schedule for GEM, where we met with diplomats, high-level government officials, embassies, and organized civil society and coalitions, holding discussions to raise the voice of the LGBTQIA+ communities — especially in these challenging times.
This advocacy visit was generously supported by the Embassy of Canada to Norway. Without their support, it would not have been possible. This partnership went beyond logistical help — it represented the true meaning of international cooperation for equality: Canada and Norway for Syria.
Rebuilding Queer Activism in Syria
Our Founder and Executive Director, in collaboration between GEM, Skeiv Verden – Queer World, and the Embassy of Canada to Norway, organized a powerful panel on rebuilding queer activism in Syria — a moment where we discussed the new era in Syria, the shift of power, and the struggles of the Syrian LGBTQIA+ community today.
We explained from the ground why the Syrian LGBTQIA+ communities are at higher risk today than ever before, despite the hope that followed the fall down of the Assad regime.
It is not because the Assad regime was protecting them, but because his legacy of a collapsed and torture state left behind destruction and instability that continues to threaten queer lives in Syria.
We also urged the Government of Norway and international actors to lift the freeze on cases involving LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers and human rights defenders, and to reinforce the credibility and effectiveness of protection mechanisms, as Syria remains unsafe and fraught with risks regardless of the political context.
Diplomatic Engagement and Representation
Our Founder and Executive Director was an honored guest at the official reception hosted by the Embassy of Canada to Norway, led by Ambassador Amy Baker.
He delivered a speech sharing his personal story and journey of activism, the struggles he went through, and the path that led to the establishment of GEM.
The event also featured Jeremy Dutcher, the Canadian Indigenous tenor and composer, who performed a song dedicated to GEM and its mission.
The reception was attended by many diplomats, government officials, members of parliament, and civil-society representatives, including Mr. Åsmund Aukrust, Norway’s Minister of International Development, and Ms. Anne Lindboe, Mayor of Oslo.
Meeting with the Minister of International Development
During the visit, our Founder met with Minister Åsmund Aukrust, Norway’s Minister of International Development, and urged him to include Syrian LGBTQIA+ communities in Norway’s support to Syria.
He emphasized that Syrian queer people remain among the most vulnerable groups, and that their protection should be part of Norway’s international development and humanitarian assistance policies.
Minister Aukrust showed great openness and encouragement, reaffirming Norway’s commitment to human rights, equality, and inclusive development.
This meeting was an important milestone in GEM’s ongoing diplomatic advocacy to ensure that Syrian LGBTQIA+ voices are heard and represented.
Meeting with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
A key highlight of the visit was the joint work breakfast meeting hosted at the Embassy of Canada to Norway with representatives from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Ms. Nini Pharo Halle and Mr. Erik Furu.
The discussion focused on queer and human rights in Syria and beyond, exploring the intersections between equality, counterterrorism, and de-radicalization.
GEM reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that LGBTQIA+ voices are part of Syria’s reconstruction and stabilization efforts.
Visibility and Solidarity
During Oslo Pride, our Founder was interviewed by Norwegian newspapers, including Klassekampen and Blikk, where he shared GEM’s work, vision, and the urgent challenges queer Syrians continue to face.
The week concluded with pride and celebration as GEM joined the Oslo Pride Parade, taking part in the solidarity float — a powerful symbol of unity and representation for Syrian LGBTQIA+ people.
Key Highlights
- Organized a joint panel with Skeiv Verden – Queer World and the Embassy of Canada to Norway on rebuilding queer activism in Syria.
- Met with Norway’s Minister of International Development, Åsmund Aukrust, to advocate for the inclusion of Syrian LGBTQIA+ communities in Norway’s support to Syria.
- Participated in the Embassy of Canada’s official reception, alongside Ambassador Amy Baker and Canadian artist Jeremy Dutcher.
- Held a bilateral meeting with the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on queer rights and regional reconstruction.
- Featured in national Norwegian media, amplifying Syrian queer voices and their struggle for visibility.
- Joined the Oslo Pride Parade under the solidarity float in a powerful moment of unity and representation.
