21 February 2011

Why I am doing this

I live in Damascus, Syria. It's a repressive police state. Most LGBT people are still deep in the closet or staying as invisible as possible.

But I have set up a blog announcing my sexuality, with my name and my photo.

Am I crazy?

Maybe.

But I'm also aware of the winds of freedom and change blowing from one end of the Arab world to the other. And I want that freedom wind to bring with it our liberation, not just as Arabs and as Syrians, but also as women and as lesbians.

Maybe it will happen

Maybe it won't.

But if I want it to happen, I have to begin by doing something bold and visible. I can, because I'm a dual national and have benefits of politically connected relatives, be more visible than many women here. I'm already out to my family ...

and I want to be an example to others ... to know that one of is trying ...

so I'll be posting about women's issues, gay issues, life in Syria, history, politics, living out ... enjoy!

4 comments:

gay girl from baghdad said...

you are not crazy yor are a human being and you are acting like human being but you have to be careful after all we live in repressive police state...
I know there are lot of other lesbians who want to do just what you did post thier photos,put their names with no fear but let's face it its going to take a long time before this start to happen for real.
I think 80% of us will be shoot down by our own families if we out to them not to mention the rejection from our society so I have to say that you are from the lucky 20% who have their family approval.. still its a brave thing from you to do, we need people like you.. people who are a doer not a thinker or a talker

Amina A. said...

I know! I was wishing others would go first ... but someone has to!

~kahana~ said...

hello! i am in amazement of your courage and commitment to share your thoughts, feelings, experiences so openly. you are an inspiration to all of us who aspire to equal human rights. thank you from halfway across the world.

Khorasan said...

Courage is not that you disclose all what you have inside, courage is that you do something to protect yourself and protect those who need your protection....instead of showing your courage as "I am a Lesbian" or a "Gay girl", you would say, we don't want the Basahar-al Asad's Dictatorship...you would rise your voice to mobilize millions of those women whose rights are locked in amid brutal sword of your political leaders, these would help you much than saying what yet is being hated by those women who you are struggling for...your way leads you to hell!

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