Syrische LGBT-Organisation gegründet

Wie überall im Nahen Osten werden Homosexuelle auch in Syrien verfolgt und leiden unter vielfältigen Repressionen. Das gilt nicht nur für die vom Regime kontrollierten Gebiete, sondern auch für die Opposition. In Gaziantep in der Türkei hat sich kürzlich eine Organisation gegründet, die sich für ihre Rechte einsetzen will. Das ist, wie Al-Monitor berichtet, ein äußerst schwieriges Unterfangen:

 Syrian LGBT activists are organizing campaigns in an attempt to change stereotypes in society and demand rights. In most cases, these initiatives end up fading amid lack of organization to ensure their continuity and achieve the desired results.

On March 24, Syrian activists and part of the LGBT community formed a Syrian organization, the Guardians of Equality Movement (GEM), concerned with defending the rights of LGBT people. This organization was the first step toward protecting and preventing the recurrence of violations against members of Syria's LGBT community.

The emerging organization defines itself as one of the first nongovernmental organizations dedicated to all members of Syrian LGBTQIA+ people and throughout the global Syrian diaspora. “GEM works toward the protection and advocacy of human rights at social and diplomatic levels for all vulnerable Syrian LGBTQIA+ regardless of political affiliations, religion or ethnic background,” states GEM's website. “Our programs support Syrian LGBTQIA+ individuals’ basic needs, provide holistic protection services including in unsafe environments, document LGBTQIA+ rights violations, and conduct research and advocacy promoting Syrian LGBTQIA+ rights."

GEM’s chairman of the board, who preferred to remain anonymous, told Al-Monitor, “I was previously arrested and violated for being a homosexual, amid the absence of any organization defending the rights of the LGBT community in Syria. This pushed me, along with a number of activists, to establish GEM. We reach out to our target audience through [traditional] media, social media and partner organizations, or through our own members.”

He explained, “We deal with caution and care with the beneficiaries of our services and abide by numerous data protection and privacy policies, to ensure the security and safety of the beneficiaries. After confirming and documenting the violation that the victims were exposed to, we offer them a financial grant to help them improve their situation and move to a safe area.”