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Coming Out In Lebanon: Make Up Artist and YouTuber Gigi Shares Her Coming Out Story
In a video recently uploaded to YouTube, Lebanese make up artist Gigi shared her coming out journey. In a country where queer people are still stigmatised and their rights are far from being granted, this video is an amazing declaration of pride.
Trans* individuals face horrible oppression in Lebanon, from state-sanctioned raids to the systematic impoverishment of members of the community, such as the case with Suzy. Last year was the country’s first ever Pride event, taking place for a week in its capital. Placed in its context, Gigi’s video becomes more and more important.
In the video, Gigi shares her story; from an early childhood filled to the brim with school bullying and self-loathing, to her mother’s acceptance of her then gay identity, and her growth more and more into the person she is today, comfortable with herself and the world around her.
She points to the hardships she faced along the way, from the expected hatred from outside the LGBT community and the hurtful aggression from within it.
“I wanted to share my story with everyone for many reasons; I want to inspire other LGBT members (and anyone in general) who are too afraid to speak up and be free and confident in their own skin,” says Gigi, talking about why she decided to share her story.
“Also, I felt like there was a lack of openly LGBT members in our society, especially transgender ones, that are be able to speak up and show the world that we are normal human beings, and that we don’t differ from the rest of the society.”
In the future, the brave artist hopes to achieve larger success and create her own cosmetics brand, as well as continue her transition and live with less fear and judgement.
Trans* individuals face horrible oppression in Lebanon, from state-sanctioned raids to the systematic impoverishment of members of the community, such as the case with Suzy. Last year was the country’s first ever Pride event, taking place for a week in its capital. Placed in its context, Gigi’s video becomes more and more important.
In the video, Gigi shares her story; from an early childhood filled to the brim with school bullying and self-loathing, to her mother’s acceptance of her then gay identity, and her growth more and more into the person she is today, comfortable with herself and the world around her.
She points to the hardships she faced along the way, from the expected hatred from outside the LGBT community and the hurtful aggression from within it.
“I wanted to share my story with everyone for many reasons; I want to inspire other LGBT members (and anyone in general) who are too afraid to speak up and be free and confident in their own skin,” says Gigi, talking about why she decided to share her story.
“Also, I felt like there was a lack of openly LGBT members in our society, especially transgender ones, that are be able to speak up and show the world that we are normal human beings, and that we don’t differ from the rest of the society.”
In the future, the brave artist hopes to achieve larger success and create her own cosmetics brand, as well as continue her transition and live with less fear and judgement.
