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AUB Queer Mixer Cancelled Following Pressure From Former Mufti
A Halloween Queer Mixer/Speed Dating Night, organized by the Gender and Sexuality Club at the American University of Beirut (AUB), has been cancelled after it was publicly denounced by Dar El Fatwa and former grand Mufti Mohamad Rachid Kabbani.
The party was set to take place at Madame Om on Tuesday, October 30th, but was cancelled after the Mufti called upon President Michel Aoun, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, as well as the president and administration of AUB to cancel the event and hold the organizers accountable. Referring to the GSC as a “Sex Club”, the Mufti’s statement portrayed the event as encouraging what he deemed to be “unnatural sex” and claimed it is “a disgrace to Lebanon and the Lebanese,” accusing it of promoting immorality.
Media coverage of the incident has also been problematic, with news outlets prioritizing clicks over objectivity. Sidelining the club’s input, the media only emphasized the Mufti’s stand and his “warning of divine destruction to Lebanon.” The media also did not shy away from perpetuating the idea that the club is called the “Sex Club”.
Meanwhile, the GSC took to Facebook to explain that the event had been cancelled, not in compliance to the unreasonable outrage, but simply for ensuring the safety and well-being of students and members.
Dean of Student Affairs, Talal Nizameddin, tweeted a message of support in regards to the club’s decision “in light of the sad incitement and misinformation campaign they faced.”
The party was set to take place at Madame Om on Tuesday, October 30th, but was cancelled after the Mufti called upon President Michel Aoun, Speaker of the Parliament Nabih Berri, Prime Minister Saad Hariri, as well as the president and administration of AUB to cancel the event and hold the organizers accountable. Referring to the GSC as a “Sex Club”, the Mufti’s statement portrayed the event as encouraging what he deemed to be “unnatural sex” and claimed it is “a disgrace to Lebanon and the Lebanese,” accusing it of promoting immorality.
Media coverage of the incident has also been problematic, with news outlets prioritizing clicks over objectivity. Sidelining the club’s input, the media only emphasized the Mufti’s stand and his “warning of divine destruction to Lebanon.” The media also did not shy away from perpetuating the idea that the club is called the “Sex Club”.
Meanwhile, the GSC took to Facebook to explain that the event had been cancelled, not in compliance to the unreasonable outrage, but simply for ensuring the safety and well-being of students and members.
Dean of Student Affairs, Talal Nizameddin, tweeted a message of support in regards to the club’s decision “in light of the sad incitement and misinformation campaign they faced.”
The club will be releasing a statement especially as they have the best interest of their members at hand in light of the sad incitement and misinformation campaign they faced. We still hope for a brighter and more enlightened future for Lebanon.
— Talal Nizameddin (@TalalNizameddin) October 30, 2018
