This Lebanese Artist Is Documenting Queer Culture In The Region

If you haven’t heard of Mohamad Abdouni, it’s time for you to put him on your radar. This talented Lebanese visual artist, filmmaker, and photographer has been documenting queer culture in the SWANA region.

A creative force to be reckoned with, Abdouni is recognized for his powerful and moving work. Back in October, he hosted an exhibition titled Treat me Like Your Mother, a photographic exhibition displaying trans histories from Beirut’s forgotten past.

Not only is he working to alleviate the shadow cast upon the queer community in Lebanon and the region, but the purpose behind his creative endeavors is to also battle his “fear of forgetting”.

Abdouni continues to portray the overlooked beauty within the queer community in his photographs, documenting wonderful queer individuals, activists, and drag queens from the region. His work has become recognized globally, particularly his short documentary ANYA KNEEZ: A Queen In Beirut.

Often underrepresented and stigmatized, the queer community in Lebanon and the region continue to face obstacles, now with the rise of homophobic sentiment in the country and the attempts by the Lebanese government to prohibit LGBTQ+ events.

Artists like Mohamad Abdouni are major contributors in encouraging the appreciation of the queer community and allowing them to feel seen, heard, and represented in countries that do the opposite.