معليش معاليك (International Drag Day 2022 – Lebanon)
معليش معاليك (International Drag Day 2022 – Lebanon)
In celebration of International Drag Day 2022, Helem invited all the drag queens, kings,
kinksters, & gender non-conforming performers that challenge gender norms, exemplify freedom
of expression every day and bring joy and entertainment to stages in Lebanon, to take part in our
Drag Extravaganza Showcase on July 16th. We invited them to slay the stage with a performance
that captures an important social message that they believe should be highlighted.
However, on June 24th, the Lebanese minister of interior adhered to calls from independent
religious authorities and issued a letter that condemned any and all public activities and events
related to the LGBTQI+ community that Helem and other organizations had planned. In the
statement, the minister claimed that these events were spreading sexual perversions which he
states goes against Lebanese society's customs and beliefs as enshrined in the Abrahamic faiths.
The letter was accompanied by extensive homophobic and transphobic hate speech on
conservative print media and social media.
Therefore, while Legal Agenda and Helem filed for an appeal to legally challenge the minister of
interior's illegitimate decision, for safety reasons and in agreement with all the drag performers
involved, International Drag Day event 2022 was shifted to a series of performance videos for
each drag performer to still be able to express themselves.
Through their art, the drag performers participating in Helem's campaign chose to advocate
against: homophobia, transphobia, patriarchal practices, promotion of hate, encouragement of
violence, family ostracism, sexual violence, stigmatization, and demonization of the LGBTQI+
community.
The drag performers participating in Helem's campaign this year are: Anissa Krana, Paris
Glitoris, Crystal Queer, Sit Yanna Kalaseen, Haus of Bombe (Robynhoes, Latiza, Demitria),
Emma Gration, Aja Dahra, Gia St.Ring.
Did you like their performance videos? Do you like who they are and what they stand for?
PROVE IT! Drag ain't cheap so TIP THEM, TIP THEM, TIP THEM! You may do it through
this link:
معليش_معاليك