5 NGOs Offering LGBTQ+ Support In Lebanon

Pride Month is celebrated annually to honor the Stonewall riots that took place in New York during the last week of June in 1969. The Stonewall Inn was raided by police, which sparked outrage from the LGBTQ+ community and subsequently led to several clashes. The community in Lebanon has suffered major setbacks amid constant homophobic crackdowns, especially after last year’s ban on pride events. We decided to list a few organizations that offer support to the LGBTQ+ community in Lebanon.

1 . Proud Lebanon

Working to protect and empower marginalized communities in Lebanon, Proud Lebanon offers multiple community service activities to support the LGBTQ+ community that extend beyond Lebanon. The organization also hosts open discussions, exhibitions, and other events to spread awareness.

Their services include psychological support, STI-related healthcare services, legal assistance, and support groups. They have successfully aided thousands of individuals over the past few years and continue to work towards empowering the LGBTQ+ community.

For more detailed information about what their services entail, click here. You can also contact them on +961 76 608 205 or support@proudlebanon.org.

2. LebMASH

Also known as the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health, this organization has been offering mental and sexual health services since 2012. Their team has been creating extensive training programs to medical staff and students about the LGBTQ+ community in Lebanon.

Their website directs LGBTQ+ people to multiple resources that are LGBTQ+ welcoming. Also acting as a guide, you can find a list of healthcare providers from different specializations that are LGBTQ+ affirmative.

For more information, visit their website.

3. Helem

As the first LGBTQ+ organization in the Arab world, Helem runs various programs, advocacy campaigns, and services for the community in Lebanon. Apart from their many posts educating the public about the struggles of the community across the region, their work has opened the floor to major progress.

At Helem, members of the LGBTQ+ community can benefit from emergency responses, case management, legal assistance, social support, family support, and mental health support. You can contact them on their helpline (+961 71 916 146) or their community center line (+961 70 707 757 – WhatsApp available).

For more information about their work, make sure to visit their website.

4. Skoun

Although primarily working as the only outpatient facility for drug users in Lebanon, Skoun also offers free and anonymous STI testing, including HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and syphilis. They also have a hotline available (+961 78 824 730) for inquiries about their support programs and treatments.

Skoun offers a safe and supportive environment for members of the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring they have access to all the necessary services.

For more information, make sure to visit their website or call them on the above mentioned hotline.

5. Marsa

Marsa is a Beirut-based sexual health center that offers anonymous HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and Syphilis testing. Their services also include medical consultations and treatments, psychological and social counseling, and sexual health awareness sessions.

What they offer extends to struggling members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially focusing on survivors of abuse, exploitation, and isolation.

For more information, call them on +961 1 380 515 or +961 70 953620. Make sure to check out their website for more details about each of their services.