EXCIT

Sex is a big taboo in Lebanon. As a consequence all related topics such as sexual education and sexual health are avoided even in scholastic programs. This leads to a lack of information regarding the topic especially among the young generations, where experience cannot compensate. Homosexuality is another big taboo in Lebanon, because it’s theoretically illegal, but practically accepted. Lebanese LGBT suffer from discrimination in diverse social fields, but it is possible to find NGO supporting homosexuals rights and to hang out in LGBT bars and clubs. It is therefore easy to understand that it is basically impossible for the LGBT target to actually access information about sex. In collaboration with Helem NGO, the Gender team aims to empower Lebanese LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) to take care of their sexual health and to access healthy sex. What we want to achieve through this program is for LGBT to be informed and get tested for HIV and STIs, have meaningful visits with doctors and gynecologists, facilitate the availability of condoms in most relevant locations, and make sexual pleasure an easier topic to find information about.

“DESMEEM: Rethinking Design through Cross-Cultural Collaboration” is an international multidisciplinary social design project that has been developed in Beirut for the past few months with European and Lebanese designers and architects. As a research-led initiative, all the projects revolve around themes that are of high social or environmental significance to Lebanon. These include urban space, energy/electricity, sustainable consumerism, creative education, disability, migrant workers integration, personal finance, and gender/LGBT rights. This project is one of the eight that was created by this process.