The country that gave Lebanon’s Penal Code article 534 now gave all its citizens the right to marry.

Article 534 criminalizes any “sexual act against nature” by up to one year in prison and has been used against homosexuals.

As France marks another historic achievement for human rights, Lebanese officials arrested 4 men and 2 transwomen in a Ghost bar in Dekwaneh, east of Beirut, just for their perceived sexual orientation and gender expression. The 6 were all Syrian nationals and also “breaking” the curfew enforced on Syrians in the municipality of Dekwaneh after 6 PM. The victims were humiliated, stripped down and even photographed, the nude photos taken by police were even provided to mainstream media and leaked to social media.

Ghost Bar was shut down. The men and women were now all released, but the trauma of such an experience will scar their lives for long. 

Congrats France, maybe it is time to colonize us again, perhaps this time you would leave us with a better set of penal and ethical codes.

http://youtu.be/CIDy3ltVqGI

On a happier note, today the Lebanese government signed the first ever civil marriage certificate. Nidal and Kholoud became the first couple to ever have a civil marriage on Lebanese soil. Khouloud said: “I tell everyone, no rights would be lost if fought for.”

PS: Before anyone jumps on my back, I am not really calling on France or any other country to “re-colonize” us for whatever reason.

Imagine you get a phone call from your sister telling you she was arrested on a night out and her nude photos are already circulating online.

Imagine your closeted best-friend, who fears for his life if his family knew about his sexuality, has his name publicly posted on the door of a recently shut down gay bar.

It can happen to anyone of us or the people we love and care about, so we shall not remain silent.

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, LBC TV, asked the public to submit their response to the human right abuses committed by Dekwaneh Mayor Antoine Chakhtoura on April 21 2013. That night, Chakhtoura ordered a raid on Ghost Bar that caters for gay bisexual and transgender clientele. His forces carried illegal detention of people. Victims were dragged to the municipality building, where they were insulted, interrogated, forced to undress and their photos were taken. The bar was shut down few days later and the full names and date of births of 4 detained victims were posted on its door.

A tranwoman victim reported to NOW that she was verbally, physically and sexually abused.

“They hit me and pushed me around and insulted me by using derogatory terms like ‘faggot’ and ‘half-a-man,’ then they asked demeaning questions such as how much do I make per hour and whether I enjoy ‘sucking on it,’ then asked me to strip naked and then took photographs of me.”

Here are the responses that LBC chose to broadcast:

http://www.hidepark.tv/VideoPlayer.aspx?id=MjcxOQ==

Here is my response:

Here is the segment of the news reporting on the abuse.

The mayor has already confessed to his crime on national TV:

“Of course we made them take off their clothes, we saw a scandalous situation and we had to know what these people were. Is it a woman or a man? It turned out to be a half-woman and half-man and I do not accept this in my Dekwaneh.”

So this mayor believes he can enforce his set of morals on the whole population. He played police by arresting people and he played the doctor by subjecting them to a physical. He is neither. This is a fine example of abuse of power and should be exposed and stopped.

Lebanese Lawyer Mr. Nizar Saghieh told NOW that the municipal police’s detainment of customers is illegal and should be looked into because it is a clear violation of the constitution. He urged the civil society to address the abuses as quickly as possible if the subjects decide not to sue.

Outrage is evident on social media are posters denouncing the mayor’s abuses are sprouting:

Mayor of Dekwaneh Antoine Chakhtoura responsible for sexual abuses and racism

To learn more and follow this story as it unfolds, follow the Lebanese LGBT Media Monitor on Facebook and @LebLGBTmonitor on Twitter.

You can also follow hashtag #DekAbuse that was created for this incident.

The #LebLGBT hashtag is always handy to follow any news related to the Lebanese LGBT movement.

Stay strong. Speak up

Here is the Press Release by LebMASH (The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health) regarding the Dekwaneh abuse case that I have previously blogged about.

For immediate release,

The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) strongly condemns the acts undertaken, based on orders from Mr. Shakhtoura, the Mayor of Dekwaneh on April 21^st 2013. According to media reports¹, personal accounts of victims², and the mayor’s confession³ on national TV, individuals in Dekwaneh were targeted based on their perceived sexual orientation and gender identity. Three men and one transwoman were arrested and exposed to verbal, physical, and sexual abuse⁴.

We at LebMASH believe in the World Health Organization (WHO) definition⁵ of health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

Societal oppression, discrimination, abuse, and homophobia/transphobia against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community lead to a higher prevalence of psychological problems such as anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation and attempts, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance abuse. Such discrimination and abuse were apparent on April 21^st, 2013.

The negative impact of this abuse extends beyond the individuals who were arrested. The abuse represents a threatening message sent to all LGBT individuals in Lebanon where many will fear becoming the next victim. Fear of persecution impacts one’s mental health negatively, especially in a country that still criminalizes “unnatural sexual acts” under Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code.

We, as health care providers and concerned citizens of Lebanon:

(1)   Call on our fellow healthcare professionals in Lebanon to speak up against these acts of abuse and their serious health consequences.

(2)   Call on the appropriate authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the events of April 21^st, 2013. We insist that those who perpetuated the abuse are held accountable for their actions. We must ensure that they face appropriate legal consequences.

(3)   Call on the Lebanese parliament to eradicate the antiquated and unjust Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code.

The LebMASH Board - info@lebmash.org

• Hasan Abdessamad, MD FRCSC FACOG – Obstetrician & Gynecologist
• Rami Baz, MD – Pediatrician
• Rita El-Haddad, BS – Psychology Doctoral Student
• Omar Fattal, MD MPH – Psychiatrist
• Omar Harfouch, BS – Medical Student

References:

1. Raynbow YouTube: LBCI reports again on Dekwaneh arrest, closure of gay bar
2. NOW News: Transgender club victim speaks out
3. LBCI: اقفال احد ملاهي المثليين في الدكوانة
4. Legal Agenda: فحوصات العار في الفضاء العام
5. World Health Organization: WHO definition of Health

Check out the English Version

بيان صادر عن الجمعية الطبيّة اللبنانية للصحة الجنسية،

الجمعيّة الطبيّة اللّبنانيّة للصحّة الجنسيّة تدين بشدّة الأفعال التي قامت بها شرطة بلديّة الدكوانة، مرتكزةً على أوامر رئيسها السيّد أنطوان شختورة، في 21 نيسان 2013. وفقاً للتقارير الاعلاميّة¹، شهادات الضحايا²  واعترافات السيّد شختورة³، اعتًقل في الدكوانة أشخاص وفقاُ لميولهم الجنسيّة وهويّة نوعهم الاجتماعيّ. ثلاثة رجال ومتحوّلة جنسيّاً توقٍّفوا وتعرّضوا للاعتداء الكلاميّ، الجسديّ والجنسيّ⁴.

انّ الجمعيّة الطبيّة اللّبنانيّة للصحّة الجنسيّة تؤمن بتعريف⁵ منظّمة الصحّة العالميّة للصحّة، وهو “حالة من الرفاهية الجسديّة، النفسيّة والاجتماعيّة وليس فقط غياب المرض” .

الاضطهاد الاجتماعيّ/ التمييز، الاعتداء ورهاب المثليّة والتحوّل الجنسيّ ضدّ مجتمع المثليين/ات، متحوّلين/ات النوع الاجتماعيّ ومزدوجي/ات الميول الجنسيّة (م.م.م.م.) كلّها عوامل تؤدّي الى ارتفاع نسبة المشاكل النفسيّة كالحصر النفسيّ، الاكتئاب، أفكار ومحاولات الانتحار، اضطرابات ما بعد الصدمة  وتعاطي المخدرات. هذا التمييز والاعتداء قد تجسّد في أحداث 21 نيسان 2013.

انّ تأثير هذا الاعتداء يتخطّى حدود الأشخاص الذين تمّ اعتقالهم/ن، بل يمثّل تهديد لكلّ أعضاء مجتمع الم.م.م.م. في لبنان. ويؤدّي هذا التهديد والخوف من الاضطهاد الى تأثير سلبيّ على الصحّة النفسيّة لهذا المجتمع، بالأخصّ في بلد يجرّم المثليّة الجنسيّة عبر اعتبارها “مخالفة للطبيعة” في المادّة 534 من قانون العقوبات اللّبنانيّ.

انّنا كمقدّمي خدمات صحيّة ومواطنين لبنانيين نطالب:

1-    زملائنا وزميلاتنا في المهنة الصحيّة في لبنان للوقف ضدّ أعمال الاعتداء التّي تحمل تأثيرات سلبيّة عديدة على الصحّة.

2-    السلطات المختصّة بالتحقيق في أحداث 21 نيسان 2013 مع الاصرار على تحميل مًرتكبي الاعتداء مسؤوليّة أفعالهم عبر العقاب القانونيّ المناسب.

3-    مجلس النوّاب اللّبنانيّ لالغاء المادّة 534 لما تحمله من اخلال لحقوق الانسان.

هذا البيان من إعداد الهيئة الادارية للجمعية

info@lebmash.org

• د. رامي باز
• ريتا الحداد
• عمر حرفوش
• د. عمر فتال
• د. حسن عبد الصمد

1. http://youtu.be/UXfb40nRazA
2. https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/reportsfeatures/transgender-club-victim-speaks-out
3. http://youtu.be/AVcTrkZ4W2Y
4. http://legal-agenda.com/article.php?id=356&folder=articles&lang=ar
5. http://www.who.int/about/definition/en/print.html

This will be my profile photo on Twitter and Facebook because:

I believe that all citizens should be treated equally regardless of their sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression.

I am outraged by the arbitrary arrests in Dekwaneh on Apr 21st 2013 where a transwoman and 3 men were detained, and subjected to verbal, physical and sexual abuse, their nude photos were taken by cell phones and sent to the media. The Mayor was present through all that and he then confesses to his crimes on national TV. All this is documented. No investigations or disciplinary measures were taken against the mayor by authorities.

I am disturbed by what our Minister of Interior has just announced: “Lebanon is against perversion (his chosen term for homosexuality), which is considered a crime according to Lebanese law. I wonder, now that France allowed same-sex marriage would we allow them to enter our country”. How could I be more knowledgeable about our laws than our Defence Minister. Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code penalize any sexual act “against nature” by up to one year in prison and has been historically used to criminalize homosexuality. In 2009, a Lebanese judge in Batroun ruled against the use of article 534 to prosecute homosexuals. He clearly flaunts his ignorance when he questions whether Lebanon should allow The Gays to enter our holy nation, as if the door has been closed and the recent achievements in France on the human rights front will open that door!!! I stand speechless.

I am encouraged to speak out because I know how many want to and how little support they have to do so.

This is an adaptation of the Lebanese flag. The red says “7okouk” Arabic for “Rights”. I also like how the two red bars form an Equal sign. I wish they could have added to the flag what would represent the rights of womyn, foreign workers and refugees, all of whom are also at risk to suffer similar brutality in our rotten system.

I will keep this photo till May 17 2013: The International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO)

.يتم الاحتفال بـالأسبوع العالمي للتمريض في جميع أنحاء العالم في أول إسبوع  من مايو من كل عام، للإشارة إلى إسهامات الممرضات/ين في المجتمع

I would like to send a shout out to all nurses I worked with in Beirut, Cleveland, Bathurst, Prince George and Vancouver and to those I have met in conferences and elsewhere.

What a noble mission you carry and a tough job you execute.

There is a lot to learn from you and you have always opened my eyes to what medical school and residency training fail to teach us. To you I am thankful.

The U.S. and Canada celebrate National Nursing Week each year from 9 to 15 May.

It was established in the U.S. by President Richard Nixon in 1974.

The Canadian Minister of Health instituted National Nursing Week in Canada in 1985.

Lebanon celebrates International Nurse’s Day on May 8th.

On the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, we have just published LebMASH’s (The Lebanese Medical Association for sexual Health) Position Statement on Sexual Orientation Change Efforts (SOCE) – Also known as “Conversion or Reparative Therapy” – in three languages

• English
• Français
•  إقرأ بالعربية

I will also share it here in the three languages:

—————-

Beirut, May 17 2013- Homosexuals continue to face prejudice and discrimination within our Lebanese society. This prejudice and discrimination extend beyond the general public to some healthcare providers who continue to offer “Conversion or Reparative Therapy” with alleged goal of changing one’s sexual orientation.

The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) finds it necessary to clarify the following facts:

1. Homosexuality is not a disease – In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association, a world leader on mental health, declassified homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. The following year, the American Psychological Association declassified homosexuality as an illness. Since then, every major medical and mental health organization has come to embrace this view. The World Health Organization (WHO) declassified homosexuality in 1990.¹ WHO states: “In none of its individual manifestations does homosexuality constitute a disorder or an illness and therefore it requires no cure.”² Currently, the global consensus among healthcare providers is that homosexuality is a normal and natural variation of human sexuality without any intrinsically harmful health effects.

2. Origins of homosexuality are not known – Many theories have been proposed regarding the origins of homosexuality but definitive answers are yet to be found. Research has not been able to discover the origins of homosexuality or of heterosexuality, for that matter. Similar to left-handedness and other human attributes, homosexuality is likely manifested due to a mixture of genetic and environmental factors.

3. Homosexuality is not a choice – In the same way that heterosexuality is not a choice, homosexuality is not a choice either.³

4. Homosexuals are at higher risk for psychological problems – Homosexuality itself does not lead to mental illness. Stigma, peer rejection, discrimination, heteronormative bias, bullying, internalized prejudice, and the stress of disclosure about one’s sexual orientation to others (known as “coming out”) place homosexuals at a higher risk for psychological problems. This may include mood and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and suicidal ideations and attempts. Such stressors cause more alienation and have grave effects on one’s health and wellbeing.⁴

5. Attempts to change one’s sexual orientation can be harmful – Efforts to change sexual orientation are not based on any sound scientific evidence. On the contrary, this practice has been abandoned due to proven failure and serious harmful effects. Dr Spitzer, the father of reparative therapy recanted his position on reparative therapy in 2012.⁵

Many health organizations have condemned these “therapies.” The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry warns about the lack of evidence that sexual orientation can be altered through therapy, and that attempts to do so may be harmful.⁴

The American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation concluded that efforts to change sexual orientation are unlikely to be successful and involve some risk of harm, contrary to the claims of SOCE practitioners and advocates.⁶

The American Psychiatric Association recommends that ethical practitioners refrain from attempts to change individuals’ sexual orientation, keeping in mind the medical dictum to first, do no harm.⁷

Similarly, the American Academy of Pediatrics warns that any attempt to change sexual orientation is contraindicated since it can provoke guilt and anxiety while lacking potential for achieving changes in orientation.⁸

The American Medical Association opposes the use of ‘reparative’ or ‘conversion’ therapy.⁹

On May 17^th 2012, 22 years after homosexuality was removed from the WHO International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), the PAHO (Pan American Health Organization, a regional office of WHO) released a position statement stating that “‘Reparative’ or ‘conversion therapies’ have no medical indication and represent a severe threat to the health and human rights of the affected persons. They constitute unjustifiable practices that should be denounced and subject to adequate sanctions and penalties.”²

Based on the above, the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH) urges healthcare providers in Lebanon to refrain from this unethical and potentially harmful practice. We also urge health care organizations to take a strong position against such practices.

LebMASH – The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health

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Dans la société Libanaise, les homosexuels continuent à faire face à la discrimination et aux préjugés. Ces actes discriminatifs s’étendent au-delà du grand public, incluant quelques travailleurs dans le secteur de santé qui continuent jusqu’à ce jour à offrir des “thérapies” «de conversion » ou des “thérapies” « réparatrices » dont le but est de changer l’orientation sexuelle de certaines personnes.

L’Association Médicale Libanaise pour la Santé Sexuelle (Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health - LebMASH) se trouve obligée de clarifier les informations suivantes :

1. L’homosexualité n’est pas une maladie : En 1973, L’ “American Psychiatric Association”, chef de file mondial en matière de santé mentale, a retiré l’homosexualité de sa liste des troubles mentaux. L’année suivante, l’ “American Psychiatric Association” a déclassifié l’homosexualité comme étant une maladie. Depuis lors, toutes les grandes organisations de médecine et de santé mentale ont adopté ce point de vue. En 1990, L’Organisation Mondiale de la Santé (OMS) a retiré l’homosexualité de la liste des maladies mentales.¹ L’OMS avait déclaré que : « L’homosexualité ne constitue ni un trouble ni une maladie dans aucune de ces manifestations individuelles et donc ne nécessite aucun traitement ». ² Actuellement, le consensus mondial parmi les travailleurs dans le secteur de la santé est que l’homosexualité n’est qu’une variation normale et naturelle de la sexualité humaine, sans aucun effet nuisibles à ​​la santé.

2. Les origines de l’homosexualité sont inconnues : De nombreuses théories ont été proposées en ce qui concerne les origines de l’homosexualité. Toutefois, aucune réponse n’est définitive. Les études menées n’ont pas pu aboutir à la découverte des origines de l’homosexualité ni à celles de l’hétérosexualité non plus. Tout comme la gaucherie et les autres attributs de l’homme, l’homosexualité se manifeste, probablement, à cause d’un mélange de facteurs génétiques et environnementaux.

3. L’homosexualité n’est pas un choix : Comme l’hétérosexualité n’est pas un choix, l’homosexualité ne le sera non plus.³

4. Les homosexuels sont soumis à un risque plus élevé de problèmes psychologiques: L’homosexualité, en elle-même, n’aboutit pas à des pathologies mentales. La stigmatisation, le refus par les pairs, la discrimination, l’adhésion à la norme hétérosexuelle, les préjugés et le stress qui s’accordent au fait de divulguer sa propre orientation sexuelle (en d’autres termes : «coming out») placent les homosexuels à un risque plus élevé de problèmes psychologiques. Il peut s’agir de trouble de l’humeur, de troubles anxieux, de toxicomanie, et d’idées ou de tentatives de suicide. Ces facteurs de stress vont causer plus de marginalisation et auront plus d’effet sur la santé et le bien-être de l’individu.⁴

5. Les tentatives de changer l’orientation sexuelle d’une personne peuvent être nocives : Les efforts visant à changer l’orientation sexuelle ne sont pas fondés sur des preuves scientifiques. Au contraire, cette pratique a été abandonnée en raison de ses échecs et de ses effets nocifs graves. Le Dr Spigtzer considéré comme père de la “thérapie réparatrice”, a reconsidéré sa position quant à la possibilité de changer l’orientation sexuelle d’une personne et cela en 2012. ⁵

De nombreuses organisations de santé ont condamné ces “thérapies”. L’ “American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry” dénonce  le manque de preuves sur le fait que l’orientation sexuelle peut être modifiée par la thérapie. Elle rajoute que de telles méthodes peuvent être nocive. ⁴

L’ “American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation”  a conclu que les efforts visant à changer l’orientation sexuelle sont non fructueux voire même nocifs, contrairement aux dires des praticiens et des défendeurs de ces “thérapies”. ⁶

L’ “American Psychiatric Association” recommande que les praticiens  s’abstiennent d’essayer de changer l’orientation sexuelle des individus, en gardant à l’esprit la première règle d’éthique médicale : la non malfaisance. ⁷

De même, l’ “American Academy of Pediatrics” contre indique toute tentative visant à changer l’orientation sexuelle car elle peut provoquer la culpabilité et l’anxiété tout en manquant de potentiel pour réaliser un vrai changement d’orientation. ⁸

L’ “American Medical Association” s’oppose à la pratique des “thérapies” «réparatrices» ou  «de conversion». ⁹

Le 17 mai 2012, 22 ans après que l’homosexualité a été retirée de la Classification Internationale des Maladies (International Classification of Diseases : ICD-10) de l’OMS, le PAHO (Pan American Health Organization, un bureau régional de l’OMS) a publié un énoncé de positionnement affirmant que : « les “thérapies” «réparatrice» ou «de conversion » n’ont aucune indication médicale et représentent une grave menace de la santé et des droits humains des personnes concernées. Ce sont des pratiques injustifiables qui doivent être dénoncées et soumis à des sanctions appropriées.» ²

En se basant sur ce qui précède, L’Association Médicale Libanaise pour la Santé Sexuelle (Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health - LebMASH) incite les prestataires de soins au Liban de s’abstenir de cette pratique non éthique et potentiellement dangereux. Nous poussons également les organisations de soins de santé à adopter une position ferme contre ce genre de pratiques.

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ما زال المثليون الجنسيون يواجهون التّمييز والأحكام المسبقة في  مجتمعنا اللبناني. ولا يقتصر ذلك على الرأي العام فحسب إنّما يطال أيضًا بعض مؤسّسات الرعاية الصحية التي ما زالت تقدّم “علاج الإصلاح أو التّحويل الجنسي” زاعمةً أنّ هدفه تغيير التّوجّه الجنسي لشخصٍ ما

يهمّ الجمعية الطّبية اللبنانية للصحة الجنسية أن توضح الحقائق الآتية

ليست المثلية الجنسية مرضًا: ففي العام 1973، أزالت الجمعية الأميركية للأطباء النفسيين، وهي رائدة عالمية في مجال الصحة النفسيّة، المثلية الجنسية من لائحة الأمراض النفسية. وفي العام التّالي، لم تعد جمعيّة علم النّفس الأميركية (APA) تصنّف المثلية الجنسية كمرض. ومنذ ذلك الحين، تقبّلت جميع المنظمات الطبية ومنظمات الصّحة النفسية الكبرى هذه الرؤية. فمنظّمة الصحة العالمية، التي أزالت المثلية من لائحة الأمراض في العام ¹1990، تصرّح بما يلي: “لا تشكّل المثلية الجنسية، في أيّ من مظاهرها الفردية، اضطرابًا أو مرضًا، وبالتالي فإنّها لا تتطلّب علاجًا.”² وفي يومنا هذا، تجمع مؤسسات الرعاية الصحية على أنّ المثلية الجنسية مظهرٌ طبيعيٌ من النّشاط الجنسي البشري وهي في ذاتها لا تحمل أيّ تأثيرات تضرّ بالصحة

لم تُعرف بعد أصول المثلية الجنسية: لقد طرح الكثير من النّظريات بشأن أصول المثلية الجنسية، إلّا أنّ الإجابات القاطعة على هذا الأمر لم تتوفّر بعد. فلم تتمكّن الأبحاث حتّى الساعة من اكتشاف أصول المثلية الجنسية أو حتّى أصول المغايرة الجنسية. فتمامًا كما الكتابة باليد اليسرى، من المرجح أن تكون المثلية عائدة إلى مزيج من العوامل الوراثية والبيئية

ليست المثلية خيارًا: لا يختار الإنسان توجّهه الجنسي، وبالتالي فلا المغايرة ولا المثلية تشكّلان خيارًا.³

إنّ المثليين الجنسيين هم عرضةٌ للمشاكل النّفسية أكثر من غيرهم: لا تؤدّي المثلية بذاتها إلى الأمراض النّفسية، إنّما بعض العوامل، كوصمات العار ونبذ المجتمع والتمييز والانحياز العام نحو المغايرة والمضايقات وكره الذات نتيجة الأحكام المسبقة والضغط النفسي الذي يولّده إفشاء الفرد عن توجّهه الجنسي إلى الغير (أو ما يُعرف بـ”الخروج من الخزانة”)، تعرّض المثليين إلى المشاكل النّفسية أكثر من غيرهم. ونصادف ضمن هذه المشاكل القلق واضرابات المزاج وتعاطي المخدّرات والنزعات أو المحاولات الانتحارية. تسبب عوامل الضغط هذه مزيدًا من العزلة وتؤثر على نحو خطير في صحّة الفرد وحسن حاله.⁴

قد تكون مساعي تغيير التّوجّه الجنسي خطيرة: لا ترتكز مساعي تغيير التّوجّه الجنسي على أي أدلّة علمية متينة، لا بل على العكس فقد تمّ التخلّي عن هذه الممارسات بعدما أثبتت فشلها وتأثيراتها المضرّة والخطيرة. هذا وقد تراجع طبيب الأمراض النفسية روبرت سبيتزر، الذي كان رائدًا في مجال “علاج الإصلاح الجنسي”، عن موقفه في العام 2012. ⁵

لقد أدانت منظمات صحية متعددة هذا النّوع من “العلاج”. فالأكاديمية الأميركية لعلم نفس الطّفل والمراهق تحذّر من غياب الأدلّة حول جدوى العلاج في مسألة تغيير التّوجّه الجنسي ومن أنّ المساعي الهادفة إلى ذلك قد تكون مضرّة.⁴

واستنتجت فرقة عمل جمعية علم النّفس الأميركية حول الاستجابة العلاجية المناسبة إلى التوجّه الجنسي أنّه من غير المرجّح أن تنجح مساعي تغيير التوجّه الجنسي، وأنّها تحمل بعض المخاطر، وذلك خلافًا لما يزعمه الأطبّاء الذين يمارسون التغيير الجنسي ودُعاته.⁶

توصي الجمعية الأميركية للأطبّاء النفسيين الأطبّاء الأخلاقيين الذين يمارسون التغيير الجنسي بالامتناع عن محاولة تغيير التوجّه الجنسي للأفراد، وبأن يسهروا على تطبيق القسم الطّبي الذي يلزمهم بعدم التّسبّب بالضرر لأي كان.⁷

كذلك، تحذّر الأكاديمية الأميركية لطبّ الأطفال من أنّ أيّ محاولة لتغيير التّوجه الجنسي تُعتبر حالة مضادة للاستطباب إذ إنّها قد تسبب الشعور بالذنب والقلق، وهي في الوقت عينه غير قادرة على إحداث أي تغيير في التّوجّه الجنسي.⁸

ترفض الجمعية الطبية الأميركية إجراء علاج “الإصلاح” أو “التحويل” الجنسي.⁹

في السّابع من أيّار عام 2012، أي بعد اثنين وعشرين عامًا من إزالة منظمة الصحة العالمية المثلية الجنسية من التصنيف الدّولي للأمراض، أصدرت منظمة الصّحة الأميركية، وهي مكتب إقليمي لمنظمة الصحة العالمية، بيانًا قالت فيه “ألّا داعي لاستخدام علاج “الإصلاح” أو “التحويل” الجنسي الذي يشكّل خطرًا جسيمًا على صحّة الأشخاص المعنيين وخرقًا لحقوقهم الإنسانية. لا تبرير لهذه الممارسة ويجب إدانتها وإخضاعها للعقوبات والجزاءات المناسبة

بناءً على ما سبق، تحثّ الجمعية الطبية اللبنانية للصحة الجنسية الجهات التي تقدّم الرعاية الصحية في لبنان على الامتناع عن القيام بتلك الممارسات المضرّة وغير الأخلاقية. كما نحثّ منظّمات الرعاية الصحية على الوقوف ضد الممارسات المماثلة بشدّة

الجمعية الطبية اللبنانية للصحة الجنسية

———————-

References

1. World Health Organization (1994). International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (10th Revision). Geneva, Switzerland. (Retrieved on May 6 2013 from here)

2. The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization PAHO/WHO Position Statement. “Cures” for an illness that does not exist. 2012 May 17. (Retrieved on May 6 2013 from here)

3. American Psychological Association. (2008). Answers to your questions: For a better understanding of sexual orientation and homosexuality. Washington, DC: Author. (Retrieved on May 6 2013 from here)

4. Adelson SL; American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP) Committee on Quality Issues (CQI). Practice parameter on gay, lesbian, or bisexual sexual orientation, gender nonconformity, and gender discordance in children and adolescents. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012 Sep;51(9):957-74.

5. Benedict Carey. Psychiatry Giant Sorry for Backing Gay ‘Cure’. The New York Times – May 18, 2012 (Retrieved on May 6 2013 from here)

6. Report of the American Psychological Association Task Force on Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. (Retrieved on May 6 2013 from here)

7. APA Commission on Psychotherapy by Psychiatrists. Position statement on therapies focused on attempts to change sexual orientation (reparative or conversion therapies). Am J Psychiatry. 2000 Oct;157(10):1719-21.

8. Committee on Adolescence – American Academy of Pediatrics. Homosexuality and Adolescence. Pediatrics 1993 Oct;92 (4):631-34. (Retrieved on May 6 2013 from here)

9. H-160.991, Health Care Needs of the Homosexual Population. The American Medical Association Policies on GLBT Issues. (Retrieved on May 6 2013 from here)

I just received my American Medical Association (AMA) Physician’s Recognition Award in Continuing Medical Education (CME) from July 2013 till July 2016.

The Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health – LebMASH just sent out a press release in response to an interview with psychologist Dr. Nabil Khoury about homosexuality. The interview was hosted by Sahar Zoghaib and aired on OTV on June 6 2013.

Instead of correcting prevalent misconceptions about homosexuality, Dr. Khoury appeared to reinforce stereotypes and propagate myths that has long been scientifically refuted.

The lesbian and gay community in Lebanon is already marginalized. Article 534 of the Lebanese penal code is misinterpreted and has been used to criminalize gay individuals. As for womyn, before even talking about homosexual activity, any sexual activity is condemned socially and can be criminalized. Lesbian and gay individuals, as well as sexually active unmarried womyn, already feel the healthcare system in Lebanon is hostile and thus they avoid it.

Watching a psychologist on national TV failing to perform an up to date review of  the medical and scientific literature before an interview is unprofessional to say the least and verges on the edge of being dangerous from a public health perspective.

For more details, read LebMASH’s Press Release and consider sharing widely.

• Read in English here
• En Français ici
• إقرأ بالعربية هنا

This photo was taken and is published here with permission of the mother and her midwife Marijke De Zwager. It was an honour to be part of this special day for this family.

Addendum: June 29 2013
I saw the parents the next day and now they have named her: Catalina Mazzuchi Diaz. I updated this post based on their request.

Two months ago, I was thrilled to hear that my New Brunswick hospital where I practiced for 3 years has received an A+ rating in CBC’s Rate My Hospital report card. CBC graded nearly 240 acute-care Canadian hospitals, providing a snapshot of how hospitals across the country are performing.

The ratings are based on information collected at 4 levels:

• Data supplied by hospitals and published by the Canadian Institute for Health Information
• Information on initiatives to improve quality and safety was collected through a unique survey of hospital administrators
• Basic statistics that reflect a hospital’s size and performance (emergency room wait times, rates of hospital-acquired infections…)
• Feedback from patients who have recently been in a hospital

This initiative is a first of its kind in Canada given that it is neither designed nor executed by the government or health authorities, hospital managers or policy-makers. It fills an essential gap in our healthcare system evaluation. In Canada, limited information about the quality of hospital care is available to the public.

If you want to check how a hospital did, click here.

Surprising results were:

Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst, New Brunswick received the only A+ rating east of Ontario. This made the hospital one of the top hospitals in Canada with the highest ranking. Watch CBC video report here.

Only 8 hospitals in Canada received the lowest grade of D. Five of these are in British Columbia: UBC Hospital, Vancouver General Hospital (VGH), Burnaby Hospital, Surrey Memorial Hospital, and Ridge Meadows Hospital. All are in the Metro Vancouver area.

Alberta had four hospitals among the top 10 in Canada. New Brunswick had one and British Columbia had none according to this report.

Methods:

The report graded hospitals based on:

Other indicators measured included safety (like compliance with hand hygiene, regular and reliable pain assessment, medication reconciliation upon admission, availability of single-bed rooms), patient-friendliness (like availability of extended meal services and cots for family members to stay overnight, flexibility of visiting hours, review of patient surveys), and quality of care (like the use of electronic medical records, availability of interpreter services, care provided by registered nurses, hospital board of directors discussion of patient stories.)

Limitations:

This study have limitations that should be taken into consideration when interpreting such results. “A stay at a hospital with a good grade will not necessarily be problem-free. A hospital with a lower grade might do well on measures that CBC has not considered” CBC mentions in a disclaimer.

Whereas the above indicators could be good at reflecting the quality of patient care, there are many other indicators of hospital performance that were not taken into account or measured.

You also have to be careful to compare hospital demographics when comparing ratings. One may argue it is unfair to compare a teaching hospitals to a community hospitals or hospitals covering a large area to those covering a smaller one. On the other hand, shouldn’t we expect best patient care regardless of what resources or demographics are available?

Finally, not all hospitals were rated and this might limit the generalizability of the results.

Regardless of such limitations, I anticipate a larger participation in next year’s report as the media coverage for this report has already stirred controversy, opened the eyes of the public and motivated hospital administrations to improve their performance. The report appears to have served its primary goal: it opened the debate.

On July 25 2013, I attended the 2nd annual pre-Pride Cocktail Kickoff at the Loden Hotel, Vancouver in support of the Dr. Peter AIDS foundation (DPAF).

The venue was a perfect match to the event. It was spacious yet cozy, and had outdoor and indoor spaces. Light food was served, DJ Quest played “deep sexy house music” as he called it, and 1181 Lounge served drinks including their famous “Let’s have a Kiwi” drink with vodka (hopefully it wasn’t Russian) and freshly mashed kiwis. The event was fabulous. The tickets were 135 CAD which includes a 100 CAD tax-deductible donation.

Most important of all, it served its cause. One of the hosts and a board member at DPAF, Mr. Gary Serra stated on Facebook a day after the event:

I’m speechless! Last night our 2nd annual Pre Pride Cocktail Kickoff at the Loden Hotel in support of the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation put on by myself, Kevin Mazzone, Ryan McKinley and Richard Nicholas Graham raised over $25,000!!! Thank you ALL who supported us and made this possible.

Mr. Serra told me : “I think this year’s event was amazing! We almost doubled what we raised last year and people overall had a great time and thanked us for it.

DPAF fundraiser hosted by The Loden Hotel, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The Dr. Peter AIDS foundation was established by Dr. Peter Jepson-Young shortly before his death. The Foundation established The Dr. Peter Centre in Vancouver, an assisted-living residence and health centre dedicated to helping those living with HIV and AIDS. As Mr. Serra puts it: “The center provides a safe place where people can have nutritious meals and receive health services, it also encourages adherence to medications which is crucial in preventing the spread of HIV. The Center provides a sense of community where people can feel like someone cares.”

Dr. Peter (1957-1992) was a medical doctor in Vancouver who promoted AIDS and HIV awareness and education in the early 1990s through a regular segment on CBC Television. His Academy Award nominated documentary was called “The Dr. Peter Diaries“. In this series, and with “honesty, pathos and humour” Dr. Peter shared his own experiences as a person with AIDS.

I had the honour to meet Dr. Peter’s parents at this event. Bob and Shirley young are such delightful souls. Their smiles were contagious as they fondly spoke about their son. Their work and devotion is inspiring. His mother made sure to correct me: “His name is Jepson-Young and it is hyphenated” just as he liked it to be.

With Shirley and Bob Young, parents of Dr. Peter Jepson-Young and honorary board members at DPAF

Medical director and Head of Family Practice at BC Women’s Hospital Dr. Michael Farmer, a friend of mine who also was at the event, told me: “Dr. Peter and I were one year apart in medical school so I’ve known him since the 80s. And also, unbelievably, when HIV was not yet even part of medical school curriculum. I’ve been in practice since the days when AZT was the only medicine available” (AZT stands for Zidovudine and is the first U.S. government-approved treatment for HIV therapy)

When I asked him about his enthusiasm for the cause, Mr. Serra said: “It is still critical to pursue and support this cause… The DPAF is the model of care for those living with HIV/AIDS who may also have other issues in their lives such as addiction, mental health issues, homelessness, victims of violence.” According to Serra, the model had been so successful that experts from around the world have come to Vancouver to study it further and potentially copy it.

With DPAF Director of Philanthropy Sarah Sandusky and DPAF Board Member Gary Serra

As activists in the west move their focus to marriage equality, is HIV activism getting a hit? It is not like a cure or a vaccine has been found, even though the search for both seem promising. It is true that currently the life expectancy of people living with HIV is the same as those with a negative status, but this is at the expense of taking medicine on a daily basis, and enduring whatever side effects and financial burden that might carry. A lot of work is still needed especially that 1 in 4 new HIV infections occurs in youth ages 13 to 24 years, and about 60% of all youth, with HIV do not know they are infected, are not getting treated, and can unknowingly pass the virus on to others (Statistics from CDC, USA). A larger amount of work is needed to conquer the stigma associated.

Only few days ago Michael Lucas came out as HIV-negative man on PrEP and wondered why not all at-risk people are “shouting from the rooftops about this potential game changer” as he called it. PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis and entails taking Truvada (One of many anti-retroviral drugs available for HIV) daily to prevent acquiring the virus. This is already causing controversies: Will the use of PrEP decrease the compliance with condom use? But we already know this compliance is dropping, so will PrEP pioneer prevention strategies? But the expense is debilitating, so will it remain a privilege to those who can afford it? Could PrEP be the answer to decrease new infections? Will that be at the expense of an increase in other sexually transmissible infections? All are questions worth answering but as we try to prevent spread of the virus we should not forgot about individuals who already have it!

Since people living with HIV have more needs far greater than just survival and since it is important to look beyond the virus and to care for the people, the model of care Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation provides inspires me.

“You can call on me anytime for help” I promised Dr. Peter’s mother that evening as she gave me her email address and insisted I write her.

Newborn Baby Boy Alexandre claimed Aug 2nd a birthday for himself. His parents and I wanted to snap a shot of him right after birth and on the warmer but my battery failed me. His arrival marks a beautiful addition to the French Acadian community here in Bathurst, NB and I am happy to be part of that.

I am only in Bathurst, NB for few days of locum to cover a need and for preceptorship to help Gynaecologists here bring Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy back to northern NB.

Disclaimer: Both photos were taken by Alexandre’s father and published via social media with knowledge and permission of both parents.

I was invited back to Bathurst, New Brunswick to provide preceptorship at Chaleur Regional Hospital to Gynaecologists who are enthusiastic about bringing Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (TLH) back to Northern NB. So what is the hype about this surgery?

In laywoman’s terms:

TLH is minimally invasive. Just like we rarely remove an appendix or a gall bladder through large incisions anymore, surgeries to remove the uterus are evolving in the same direction: Laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (LH) allows for easier recovery, faster return to normal activities and less days off work than open surgery or Abdominal Hysterectomy (AH). LH causes less blood loss, fever or wound infections and leaves you with lower pain levels. It is also superior aesthetically for those concerned about that. The only disadvantage found was more urinary tract injuries and longer operating times. As surgeons gain more experience and confidence with LH, urinary tract injuries decreased and operating times got shorter.

I remember when I first started performing those surgeries in 2009, my operating time was on average four hours. As the operating room staff became more familiar with the procedure, I moved along my learning curve and trained my surgical assistant along the way, the average time for my surgery went down to one hour for straight forward cases.

What does major health organizations say?

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC):

“The vaginal route should be considered as a first choice for all benign indications. The laparoscopic approach should be considered when it reduces the need for a laparotomy (open surgery).”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists:

“Laparoscopic hysterectomy is an alternative to abdominal hysterectomy for those patients in whom a vaginal hysterectomy is not indicated or feasible.”

The American Association for Gynecologic Laparoscopists:

“Most hysterectomies for benign disease should be performed either vaginally or laparoscopically… Continued efforts should be taken to facilitate these approaches. Surgeons without the requisite training and skills required for the safe performance of VH or LH should enlist the aid of colleagues who do or should refer patients requiring hysterectomy to such individuals for their surgical care.”

In brief:

Surgeons should offer Vaginal Hysterectomy whenever feasible as it remains the most superior and least invasive procedure for removing the uterus.

Surgeons should make all effort to offer/provide Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and should only perform open surgery as a last resort.

In Reality:

Analysis of U.S. surgical data shows that Abdominal Hysterectomy is performed in 66% of cases, Vaginal Hysterectomy in 22% of cases, and Laparoscopic Hysterectomy in only 12% of cases.

Where did we go wrong?

We did not! It is the natural process our field go through with every innovation. There is a delay before advancements catch up and become standard of care. We can not expect gynecologists to be performing surgeries they were never trained to do or they never did enough to be comfortable doing on their own.

During my residency training at University Hospitals Case Medical Center (UH-CMC) in Cleveland, Ohio, there was only one out of at least 20 gynecologists who was performing laparoscopic hysterectomies. I had a passion for minimally invasive surgery so I intentionally grabbed any opportunity to scrub with Dr. Thomas Janiki. I was also lucky as UH-CMC just acquired the Da Vinci Robot in the last year of my training so I spent a lot of my OR-allocated time in the Da Vinci room with the Gyn Oncologists Dr. Vivian von Gruenigen and Dr. Robert Debernardo as they mastered their new skills with robotic-assisted laparoscopy.

Peggy Turbett/The Plain Dealer: Dr. Amanda Nickles Fader, left, and Dr. Hasan Abdessamad assist Dr. Vivian von Gruenigen (not shown) with a hysterectomy at University Hospitals Case Medical Center. Von Gruenigen performed the surgery with a robotic device called the da Vinci Surgical System, which uses a minimally invasive approach.

What you can do!

Many gynecologists who did not have the opportunity to train during their residency are taking courses designed for this purpose. Many such courses are available. I have tried a few and blogged about two: Oct. 2010: Bigger Surgeries. Smaller Incisions! Feb. 2012: Advance your laparoscopic hysterectomy skills

That is what Dr. Anne LeBouthillier did. In April 2013, she attended a LIGO course in San Francisco and brought back advanced skills. On Aug 1st 2013, we performed two TLH cases at Chaleur Regional Hospital to help her build the confidence needed to perform this surgery on her own. The two cases went very well. Dr. LeBouthillier demonstrated excellent skills that she carries from her long surgical experience with laparoscopic-assissted vaginal hysterectomy and added skills and confidence from the LIGO course.

Above: Dr. Jean-Jacques Fondop, Dr. Anne LeBouthillier, Dr. Hasan Abdessamad, Dr. Karina Peterson, Dr. Rafat Al-Rejjal (from left to right) are all enthusiastic about bringing Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy back to northern New Brunswick.

Aug 1st 2013 was a very productive day with preceptorship of 2 TLH cases in operating room followed by “Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy: Tips & Pearls” presentation for an enthusiastic team of Gynaecologists who want to bring minimally invasive surgery to their region

WIth Dr. Anne LeBouthillier in front of Nectar restaurant after “TLH: Tips & Pearls” presentation

One course I recommend

As a preceptor with the Laparoscopic Institute for Gynecology & Oncology (LIGO), I highly recommend LIGO’s Surgical Masters’ Course in Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy & Advanced Laparoscopic Procedures over others I have attended. The course is offered next in Atlanta, Oct. 25-26, 2013. The annual San Francisco course always has an additional day of intense hands-on cadaver laparoscopy. The next course for San Francisco is May 15-17, 2014. In 2014, LIGO course will be in Philadelphia for the first time, Oct. 10-11, 2014. Here is my review of the course as a preceptor: Laparoscopy for Gynecologists: LIGO course review

What is the LIGO course?

In the words of Dr. Katheline (Kate) O’Hanlan, the founder of LIGO: “I see a future where almost all gynecologic surgeries are performed laparoscopically through 4 small incisions… The OR is not the place to learn surgery… We learn it by developing our manual dexterity on a pelvic trainer… My vision for the LIGO course is to inspire surgeons with the knowledge and skills to offer a higher quality of healthcare to womyn “

This message was just issued by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia on behalf of the Provincial Health Officer and the Fraser Health Authority.

August 8, 2013

Health-care Provider Alert – IMPORTANT

A recent investigation undertaken by the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia (CDSBC) has identified an individual practising dentistry without a licence. Tung Sheng Wu (also known as David Wu) was providing dental treatments in Burnaby and Port Moody, BC, from the 1990s to May 28, 2013.

Fraser Health Authority (FHA) and the CDSBC have determined that clients who received dental care from this person may have been exposed to inadequately sterilized dental instruments putting them at risk for blood borne pathogen infection. The overall risk of patient-to-patient transmission in licensed dental offices is rare, but transmission of blood borne infections has occurred. Poor infection control practices by this individual increases the risk for his clients. The equipment and materials used in the dental surgery did not meet Health Canada standards.

Fraser Health Authority is recommending that all clients of this person get testing for Hepatitis B, C and HIV (HBsAg, anti-HCV, and HIV). Letters of notice to known addresses have been sent and public announcements have been issued as there may be additional clients for whom there is no record. Fraser Health Authority is asking any patient of Mr. Wu to call its Hotline so that they can provide them with information about the investigation and testing. It is anticipated that the majority of clients are from the Lower Mainland, but some may now be living across the province.

Clients will either be provided a laboratory requisition directly from public health, or provided with information to bring to their health-care provider to arrange testing and follow-up. Health-care providers are also encouraged to call the Hotline if they have questions about the investigation or to report a patient who has been a client of Mr. Wu. Health-care cards are not required to access this testing.

Fraser Health Authority expects that it will identify new cases of Hepatitis B, C and HIV that may or may not be related to this exposure. It will initiate the usual public health follow-up of these cases and refer these cases back to their health-care provider for further assessment. This may cause a temporary increase in the number of newly identified patients with HBV, HCV or HIV that require clinical care. Health-care providers with questions about their patients’ test results or follow-up should call their local public health unit.

If testing has been arranged through public health, individuals with negative test results will receive a letter indicating that they do not require any further follow-up. All positive results will be followed up by public health as usual.

Further information about this investigation can be found at http://www.fraserhealth.ca.

Any questions regarding this process should be directed to the toll-free Hotline at
1-855-895-7425.

Questions about the investigation or about dental work done by Mr. Wu should be directed to the College of Dental Surgeons of BC at 1-800-663-9169.

Today Lebanon witnessed a healthcare milestone. Believe it or not, inhumane practices are still being performed in Lebanon: virginity testing for womyn, homosexuality anal testing and sexual orientation change attempts (SOCE) to mention a few.

Helem (Lebanese Protection for Homosexuals), in collaboration with the Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health (LebMASH), organized a Press Conference hosted at Bella Riva Suites Hotel, in downtown Beirut today Aug. 28th 2013, 6-7 pm.

Reuters, As-safir and L’Orient Le Jour were present among other media.

Speakers included Dr. Georges Karam representing the Lebanese Psychiatric Society (LPS), Dr. Leila Akoury Dirani representing the Lebanese Psychological Association (LPA) and Dr. Carole Saade representing LebMASH.

(Left to Right) Dr. Georges Karam representing Lebanese Psychiatrist Society LPS, Dr. Leila Dirani Akoury representing Lebanese Psychological Association LPA and Dr. Carole Saade representing LebMASH at Press Conference in Beirut

Background

This press conference comes three months after LebMASH released their position statement on what used to be called “conversion or reparative therapy”. The name was changed to “Sexual Orientation Change Efforts” as there was nothing therapeutic discovered about it. On The contrary, the practice has been proven to be harmful to patients. SOCE is now banned in many countries.

The Lebanese Psychiatric Society (LPS) released their milestone position statement on the issue on July 11 2013 followed by a wide national and international media coverage.

The Lebanese Psychological Association (LPA) released their position statement a week later.

What triggered these organizations to take a stand to ensure patient safety and professional conduct of healthcare practitioners? Helem and MARSA (Sexual health Center in Beirut) has been receiving reports from the lesbian and gay community about reparative practices in the country. In addition, a TV station hosted someone who claims to have “converted” from homosexuality. Another TV station hosted someone who claims to be a psychologist (I personally received reports that he is not but I could not verify those facts) and who has a lot of misconceptions about homosexuality that he presented as facts. LebMASH responded with a press release that reached LPA and LPS.

Major points covered in today’s press conference (Hashtag #LebLGBT on Twitter):

Dr. Carole Saade from LebMASH commenced by explaining that the recent statements do not only impact Lebanese citizens’ and residents’ heath but also their basic human rights.

Dr. Leila Akoury Dirani from LPA called for efforts to change the public opinion that still believes homosexuality is a disorder. “Psychologists should make it clear to parents that there is no cure or treatment for homosexuality” she said. “I believe that no real psychologist does reparative treatment. There are some people claiming to be psychologists that do”

Dr. Georges Karam from LPS explained that ”there is no proof that homosexuality is a disease, and the so-called treatments are hurtful and causing more problems”. He said that sexual orientation change attempts ” can be harmful, so as psychiatrists we are strictly against such practices.”

Article 534

Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code states that “any sexual intercourse ‘against nature’ is punishable by one year in prison.” The panel of health experts agreed that homosexuality does not qualify to be labeled ‘against nature’ neither does any sexual act between two consenting adults of the same gender. In their opinion Article 534 can NOT be applied to criminalize homosexuals. When Lawyer Nizar Saghieh, a champion in human rights and founder of the Legal Agenda, asked the panel if healthcare providers are willing to attest to that in court, the answer was positive.

In my opinion, the three strongest take-home messages delivered by this conference are:

• Homosexuality is not a disease and thus require no treatment

• Article 534 of the Lebanese Penal Code cannot be used to criminalize homosexuals

• Psychiatrists who claim to have a cure for homosexuality should be reported to LPS

So to all the kids out there forced by their parents to see a psychiatrist/psychologist, look that provider in the eye and remind them of what their Lebanese organizations have declared “Homosexuality is not disease and requires no treatment.”

To all bullied lesbian and gay individuals, especially on social media, you have few links you can share to educate others.

To all concerned parents, you now know what medicine and the scientific evidence say. It is not an easy journey coming out in Lebanon as parents of a gay son or a lesbian daughter, the road to acceptance is an uneasy one, accepting your kids the way they are and the society’s acceptance for you as parents of homosexual kids.

To law enforcement personnel, after the Batroun Judge ruling in 2005 against using article 534 to persecute homosexuals and the current position of health experts and health organizations on homosexuality not being ‘against nature’, the doors are closed on this antique French colonial article and its inhumane uses.

Politics, Religion, Society

Dr. Fattal also explained how the funds raised will be used by LebMASH: building and maintaining a website, paying LebMASH’s lawyer and accountant for 2013, covering registration fees in lebanon, translating relevant scientific literature to Arabic, and covering LebMASH’s annual “Break The Silence” research award.

Dr. Fattal ended his speech by thanking the team of volunteers who helped make the event successful, the host who offered the space, and Research Institute Without Walls RIWW for being LebMASH’d fiscal sponsors (allowing all donations to be tax-deductible in the USA.)

Deadline for the agreement is Dec 1, 2013. This means that you can still donate to LebMASH and if you live in USA or are an American citizen your donation will be tax-deductible. If you feel generous and you believe in LebMASH’s mission in the Middle East send a cheque written to our fiscal sponsor “Research Institute Without Walls Inc.” and specify “To LebMASH” on it. Contact LebMASH for details on where to send the cheque:

For the longest time I said: “I would never leave Lebanon.”

I did.

“Even if I seek advanced training abroad, I will definitely come back.”

I didn’t… yet.

What I always cherished about Lebanon, Lebanon still has.

So why don’t I go back!?

What I always despised about Lebanon, still plaques it. But I never lost hope for change and the passion to partake in it.

So why don’t I go back!?

I have friends back home that I call family. I have family there as close as friends.

The village is so authentic and always brought me flashbacks of a memorable childhood. The city is vibrant and always kept me mindful of the moment.

In the village, our toys were mostly hand-made, our neighbours would never call before they show at your doorstep, a walnut tree that my dad planted is now as old as I am: with taller branches, deeper roots and obviously never left.

In the city, people demonstrated resilience and a passion for life. When Israel bombed Beirut in 2006, people refused to stop dancing, nightlife moved to Faraya. Refugees of one region became the guests of the other. International festivals remained louder than bombs.

In Beirut, the mountains are close; the weather is forgiving; the sea is calming.

In the mountains, the sea is close; the weather is forgiving; the mountain is peaceful.

Or at least, that is how I remember it!

I listen to Lebanese news daily. Media masters the art of keeping us worried. “Shou 3am biseer 3indkon?” (“What’s happening back home?”) I would call worried. “Ma fi shi” (“There is nothing”) my sister would Watsapp back from Rabbit Hole in Hamra. “Ma 3am nisma3 el akhbar” (“We are not listening to the news”) my mom would say. “Bikoun firkay3” (“It is likely fireworks”) she might add reassuringly.

I spent one month in Lebanon in June 2013 for LebMASH work. I did not have time for the news, or maybe I subconsciously avoided it. One day, my brother called from Ireland worried. I giggled as I responded “Ma fi shi”. It is likely survival skills instinctually developed by people who chronically live with political or military instability.

I have those skills, so why don’t I go back!?

A paradox of a nation whose streets witness all types of protests and demonstrations (political coalitions named after the days when they protested: March 8 vs March 14): the tire-burning, the road-blocking, the rainbow-flag-waving, the anti-west & the anti-anti-West, the secular & the sectarian, the righteous & the “righteous”, the activists’ & the blind followers’, the peaceful & the armed, the spontaneous & the planned, the workers’, the unions’, the womyn’s (usually few and loud) & the womyn’s (an effortless collection of a sea of womyn-in-black), the liberal & the conservative, the marathons, and marathons & more marathons, with different causes, and recently different sponsors. Even walls fall victims to a graffiti war, the safest war Lebanon to ever witness. What an oxymoron!

Is it Lebanon’s unique schizophrenia that keeps it vaguely charismatic?

If charismatic I perceive it, why don’t I go back!?

A question that has been troubling me for some time, and I am yet to arrive at a reasonable answer!

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You might also be interested in reading:

• Le Liban schizophrène d’un gynéco-blogueur
• My schizophrenic Lebanon!