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Life as a gay man in southern Lebanon was already challenging for Mohammad. But Israeli strikes on his hometown in March compounded the dangers he faces. Mohammad says he fled his home because it was hit by air strikes. He's now living in Beirut in a temporary shelter for LGBT people who in Lebanon are often rejected by their families and face discrimination by government authorities. It was uh like a safe place. Mohammad spoke to Reuters on the condition that his last name not be used or his face shown. Here it isn't permanent and it's not a home. It's a shelter. I mean, we understand what a shelter means. 1 month, 2 months, they're helping us to
start a new life. But between them, I am so happy, honestly. I feel like myself. I mean, I don't have to be someone else. That's the most important. Other things are as they are. I mean, I'm Mohammad. That's it. Just the way I want to be, not the way others want me to be. Mohammad, like many others, has limited options of where to go in times of war. Despite a ceasefire announced in April, continuing hostilities have kept many from returning home. Activists say LGBT people are feeling especially vulnerable due to recent incidents of homophobia. Unfortunately, we have to cut the show short. Including the disruption of a drag show in 2023 where artists were forced to hide amid the clamor of an angry mob.
Samar is a social worker with Mosaic, one of two organizations that run the shelter. In normal times and without war, there are many risks to LGBTQ plus people, especially regarding protection. What if there is a war? What if there's no oversight from the state that already barely exists. We know that during crises and emergencies all the gaps in social systems become apparent. They are revealed. Samar says a hotline run by Mosaic has been receiving around 100 calls a day seeking help. Another one [clears throat] of the shelters occupants is an Egyptian who asked to be identified by the name Mina for security reasons.
Mina fled Egypt where he faced persecution as a transgender man but says he feels welcome here. The center here deals with people as if this is their home, not a shelter. So we deal with each other in a cooperative way. We help each other. We try to be more friends. If one of us needs help, the other stands by them. This idea, this value is what I loved most about the shelter here. The shelters location is kept secret in an effort to avoid unnecessary backlash from conservative members of Lebanese society.
