Al-Qaws

URGENT APPEAL to ILGA World: Reject Israeli LGBT Groups’ Bid & Cancel their Membership

Tue, 29 Oct 2024 00:00:00 +0200

URGENT APPEAL: Reject Israeli LGBT Groups’ Bid & Cancel their Membership

Dear ILGA World Board Members,

It came to our attention at alQaws, Queers in Palestine, and Ballroom Palestine, that Israeli LGBTIQ groups with the support of the Tel Aviv municipality have submitted a bid to host ILGA World Conference in 2026 or 2027 (see document attached). After further investigation, we were surprised to learn that ILGA World has several Israeli LGBT organizations as members. All these organizations have been active in aiding and abetting the genocide and displacement of the Palestinian people. Your recent statement that the Israeli bid for the ILGA conference is simply part of ILGA's business as usual disregards the larger conditions in which this bid is made, namely the Israeli genocide against the Palestinian people. LGBTQ organizations complicit in genocide and human rights violations have no place in ILGA and must be suspended. Israeli LGBTQ organizations have a long history of complicity in the Zionist colonial project, pinkwashing, and genocide.

Reflecting on Queerness in Times of Genocide

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0200

At a time when the world's attention is focused on Palestine, we are looking outward from within - our land holds not only the immense pain and loss of the past and present, but also the steadfastness, hope, and longing for liberation and return. Over the past eight months, queer anticolonial social and political movements across Palestine have watched in despair as the horror of the most live-streamed genocide of our lives unfolds. The absence of a clear political horizon, coupled with feelings of pain, helplessness, and frustration, is compounded by the increasing number of Gazans killed, the abduction of hundreds of Palestinian activists from Jerusalem and the West Bank and 48 territories, the escalating settler violence, and displacement of our people from our lands.

Engaging with a New Political Reality: Lessons & Changes

Wed, 18 May 2022 00:00:00 +0200

To read alQaws' full annual report for 2021, click here. You can find the Arabic version here.

This year’s annual report highlights our engagement with a changing political, social and organizational reality inside alQaws and in Palestinian society in 2021.

Titled “Engaging with a New Political Reality: Lessons and Changes”, this report details our biggest accomplishments, projects, and strategic questions at this moment in time, as well as the politics and principles underlying our work this year. Additionally, we share an overview of our new strategic plan 2022-2026.

On the Question of: Coming Out

Mon, 06 Dec 2021 00:00:00 +0200

ِAs queer / LGBTQA folks, we tend to think a lot about the concept of "coming out" - sharing our sexual orientation and/or gender experience with others.

This workshop is a space to share and reflect on our feelings, thoughts, and attitudes towards this topic, and attempt to deconstruct it, understand it, and frame it:

How do we deal with "coming out" on different levels?
What personal, social, and politlca factors are at play here?
What does "coming out" mean to each of us?
How is this affected by our lived reality and our culture?

The workshop will take place for 2 hours via Zoom on Tuesday between 5:00-7:00 PM, and participants will be required to register.

Our Queer Life: Coming Out

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Over the weekend, alQaws launched a new edition of “Our Queer Life”, an interactive space on our Instagram story which encourages queer Palestinians to share, reflect on, and engage with different issues, concerns, and questions that affect us in our day-to-day lives. This time we explore our relationship with "coming out".

We shared many different articles, photos, videos, and podcasts over two days. Through the different materials as well as interactive questions, we reflected on the idea of sharing our orientations and experiences with others, what comes to mind when thinking of "coming out", the opportunities and costs of "coming out" in different places, and seeing this process as a complex personal path dependant on many variables.

Jerusalem: A Queer and Feminist Reading of the City

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society is pleased to invite you to its third Hawamesh forum this year, “Jerusalem: A Queer and Feminist Reading of the City,” on Monday 25 October 2021 at 6:00 PM at Yabus Cultural Center (Marakech Hall).

“Hawamesh” (margins) is an intellectual and cultural forum that aims to bring social and political discussions around gender and sexuality from the margins to the center of Palestinian discourse, challenging their marginalisation and emphasising their relevance to all members of society. Hawamesh is also an opportunity to bring alQaws and alQaws activists into closer contact and direct communication with larger circles in the local community.

A Rallying Cry for Queer Liberation 2021

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0200

A Rallying Cry for Queer Liberation 2021

Sunday, September 5

Haifa

Fueled by the latest Palestinian uprising, which has ignited unprecedented feelings of unity and hope, love and anger, exhaustion and frustration, we invite you to join our rallying cry for queer liberation!

We will raise our voices and bring our queer experiences to the forefront to confront violence and marginalization, reaffirming our collective responsibility as a society towards sexual and gender diversity. The time for our collective liberation is now!

New Queer Youth Group in Jerusalem!

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0200

New Queer Youth Group in Jerusalem!

“Me, My Sexuality, and Society: Exploration, Knowledge, and Impact”

alQaws is organizing a new queer youth group, and this time in Jerusalem!

The group’s diverse and exciting program will include:

Sharing our personal experiences and exchanging support, knowledge, and expertise.
Exploring our upbringings, roles, and identities, and the power dynamics that rule them.
Reflecting on our attitudes towards and challenges related to our sexuality and to sexual and gender diversity issues.
Exploring personal and collective opportunities and skills, and developing them.

Our Queer Life: The Latest Uprising

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Through many different articles, photos, videos, and podcasts, as well as interactive questions, we shared and reflected on our mixed emotions, our presence in the street, our complicated relationship with society, our roles, and different oppurtunities that may exist.

REGISTER NOW An Online Seminar: Palestine Through the Lens of Queer Politics

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0200

An Online Seminar

Palestine Through the Lens of Queer Politics

Feminist and Queer Reflections on the Latest Palestinian Uprising

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Over the past few months, Palestinians have been rising up to call for our liberation from all colonial powers. Protests erupted in Jerusalem, Haifa, Yafa, and al-Lidd, along with several areas in the West Bank, as the “Israeli” military continued its aggression and destruction in the Gaza Strip.

In recent weeks, this wave of resistance continued in the protests against the Palestinian Authority following the assassination of political activist Nizar Banat, and later as the PA carried out its suppression and violent assault against protestors.

No Pride Without Dignity

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0200

This is the text version of an online resource published by alQaws during pride month in June 2021, following international discussion around queer liberation and Palestine.

Gay Pride started as a riot led by queer and trans Black, Indigenous and People of Color activists in what is now known as the United States in the1960s. These activists rose up against decades of police brutality and persecution and claimed the streets as a site of liberation in the form of protest. The first ‘Pride’ was a riot and it was also an expression of community care and support that queer and trans activists had created as a result of their exclusion from society.

On the Question of: Our Experiences during the Uprising

Sun, 20 Jun 2021 00:00:00 +0200

We invite you to an online workshop for LGBTQA/queer floks to share how we feel about everything we went through during the latest Palestinian uprising and up until now. How have we we lived and interacted with the events around? How has the uprising impacted us as LGBTQA/queer people?

The workshop aims to create a space to share and reflect on our experiences, feelings and thoughts about this period. How have we tackled and will continue to tackle protests and political activities in the future? How do they impact us and our relationships with our surroundings and society? What is there to gain from this period, if any, in terms of opportunities to develop our relationships as individuals with one another, and as a collective with our society?

Queer Liberation & Palestine

Wed, 26 May 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Queer Liberation & Palestine

An online resource by alQaws exploring the connections between queer liberation and Palestine in the light of last month’s uprising against Israeli settler colonialism. Queer liberation is fundamentally tied to the dreams of Palestinian liberation.

The struggle for liberation continues. We must continue to take actions, mobilize and engage queer and trans communities in Palestine and globally until we end Israel’s settler colonial project and all forms of oppression.

Queers Taking Action for Palestine

Wed, 26 May 2021 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws organized a live discussion on Instagram with prominent queer activists and artists talking about the latest uprising in Palestine.

The Intagram Live "Queers Taking Action for Palestine: The Struggle for Liberation Continues" featured Alok-Vaid Menon, Bashar Murad, Hatari Band, Haya Zaatry, Adam HajYahia, Raquel Willis, Mykki Blanco, and Yazan Za3za3.

Watch the recorded discussion below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by alQaws القوس (@alqaws_org)

alQaws Holds Study Day with Palestinian Counseling Center

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

On 6 April 2021, alQaws held a study day with the Palestinian Counceling Center (PCC) to discuss and launch “The Interaction of Palestinian Families with Diverse Gender and Sexual Experiences” alQaws’ most recent field study.

The day commenced with opening statements from both organizations. Haneen Sader, alQaws Director, applauded the partnership with PCC and valued their professionality, in spite of facing violence and incitement in the 2 weeks prior to the event. Khaled Obeidat from PCC emphasized the importance of this step in line with the center’s vision and objectives. The main session, streamed live on alQaws Facebook page, brought together experts and scholars to discuss the different aspects of the study. Haneen Maikey, former Director of alQaws and one of the research authors, gave an overview of the research process and its context.

On the Question of: Holidays and Family

Thu, 08 Apr 2021 00:00:00 +0200

Holidays tend to bring up many thoughts, feelings, and questions about our relationship to our family, whether we even see them during this time, or not.

We invite you to participate in an online support workshop to share reflect on our feelings, thoughts, and attitudes towards family and the holidays, as queer and trans people. How do we deal with this period? How does it reflect on us and our relationships with our families? What can be gained during this time, in terms of opportunities to develop these relationships?

The Interaction of Palestinian Families with Diverse Gender and Sexual Experiences

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0200

This research comes as a part of alQaws’s work in knowledge production around sexual and gender diversity issues in Palestinian society; specifically in the field of mental and community health. Out of all the many different fields in which alQaws works in, we took it upon ourselves to initiate the production of local knowledge within the Palestinian context, and this report constitutes a qualitative leap in this field.

The knowledge production process is accompanied by constant and continuous work in the field with people of different and diverse sexual orientations and gender experiences, along with civil society organizations and different groups of professionals. In regards to supporting queer and trans folk, alQaws provides a listening and information hotline service, alKhat, which provides a space to share, reflect, and obtain information related to sexual and gender diversity issues. This service has been provided for over a decade via phone and chat.

Our Queer Life: Bodies

Sun, 14 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0200

We shared many different articles, photos, videos, and podcasts over two days. Through the different materials as well as interactive questions, we reflected on social norms regarding weight, femininity/masculinity, and skin color, among others. We examined how these norms affect us and our friendships, relationships, and mental health.

Sexual and Gender Diversity Issues in the Political Palestinian Landscape

Sun, 07 Mar 2021 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws is delighted to invite you to the first Hawamesh discussion of 2021, titled “Sexual and Gender Diversity Issues in the Political Palestinian Landscape.” The event is taking place on Wednesday the 17th of March, at 7pm via Zoom.

Society’s tackling of gender diversity issues has changed significantly over the past two years, as it became more public, and significantly more widely discussed, whether on political, educational, or media platforms. This shift is the result of the continuous and prominent efforts of queer Palestinian activists.

New Queer Youth Group in Haifa!

Mon, 15 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0200

New Queer Youth Group in Haifa!

“Me, My Sexuality, and Society: Exploration, Knowledge, and Impact”

alQaws is organizing a new queer youth group, and this time in Haifa!

The group’s diverse and exciting program will include:

Sharing our personal experiences and exchanging support, knowledge, and expertise.
Exploring our upbringings, roles, and identities, and the power dynamics that rule them.
Reflecting on our attitudes towards and challenges related to our sexuality and to sexual and gender diversity issues.
Exploring personal and collective opportunities and skills, and developing them.

A Word From Haneen Maikey: A Twenty Year Journey - Gratitude & Acknowledgements

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0200

This was originally published in our 2020 annual report. Find it here.

A Word From Haneen Maikey

A Twenty Year Journey: Gratitude & Acknowledgements

I write this letter a few weeks after my departure as the Executive Director of alQaws. As my body replaces adrenaline with exhaustion, my heart is filled with deep gratitude for alQaws’ activists, team, and Board of Directors, for the endless opportunities and lessons they’ve offered me until the very last moment. alQaws is where I learned what I know about myself, my community, and Palestine. No matter how hard I try, I won’t be able to do my experience with alQaws justice. How can one reduce twenty years of friendships and activism to a few lines?

A Word From Haneen Sader: Pride and Excitement Amid Significant Change

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0200

This was originally published in our 2020 annual report. Find it here.

A Word From Haneen Sader

Pride and Excitement Amid Significant Change

It is no easy feat describing the density of certain moments—moments in which thoughts and emotions heighten; moments of monumental change. I write these words during a transformative period societally, organizationally at alQaws, and in my personal life. After studying computer engineering and working at different technology companies for the past decade, I’ve decided to take a new career path. This choice came from my five-year activist experience at alQaws, which has influenced me in the most meaningful of ways.

From alQaws to Haneen Maikey: We recognize your impact, appreciate your leadership, and we shall continue the struggle

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0200

This was originally published in our 2020 annual report. Find it here.

From alQaws to Haneen Maikey:

We recognize your impact, appreciate your leadership, and we shall continue the struggle

For years, alQaws’ name was intrinsically tied to Haneen Maikey’s. This connection reflects the enormous efforts Haneen has made to build out the organization and ensure that it remains active, lively, and influential. Haneen Maikey concluded her tenure as Executive Director of alQaws at the end of 2020, a change we began preparing for three years ago, and which developed into a working path over the past year. We turn the page on a new year and a new Director.

Social & Organizational Transformation: A Queer Organizing Milestone in Palestine

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 00:00:00 +0200

To read alQaws' full annual report for 2020, click here. You can find the Arabic version here.

At the end of this year, Haneen Maikey, who has led alQaws for two decades as our director-in-office, will end her term and welcome Haneen Sader as the organization’s new director. Twenty years ago, Haneen Maikey co-founded alQaws alongside a committed group of activists and friends. Since then, she has directed the movement throughout its evolution, as alQaws grew from a small community initiative into a well-established and highly reputable civil society organization in Palestine.

No Queer “Co-Resistance” with Colonizers: Confronting Normalization and Pinkwashing

Thu, 10 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Today, a virtual seminar, titled “Decolonizing Queerness: Towards A Palestinian-Israeli Co-Resistance,” was held to promote the work of Palestinian academic Sa’ed Atshan. Organizied by an Israeli researcher, the event was framed as a discussion about “the reality and the dilemmas that queer Palestinian organizations […] are facing.” The webinar was promoted on Facebook, primarily in English and Hebrew, using vague, general descriptions. It featured one Arabic sentence: a translation of the title. The description noted that the event was “not funded, sponsored by, or connected to any institution or group,” which may have served as a loophole to escape the normalization guidelines put in place by the Palestinian Boycott, Divestment, & Sanctions movement (BDS).

alQaws Fellowship 2021: Palestine Through the Lens of Queer Politics

Mon, 07 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws Fellowship:

Palestine Through the Lens of Queer Politics

(3-month; part-time; Depending on Covid situation, either remote or based in Jerusalem, Palestine)

alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society is seeking a fellow for a three-month political education program focused on cross-border networking, knowledge-sharing, and movement building for LGBTQ Palestinians.

For over a decade, alQaws has shown that LGBTQ Palestinians are an integral and active part of our society. This fellowship invites LGBTQ Palestinians outside Palestine to strengthen the ties with our political home.

alQaws Welcomes a new Director

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0200

On behalf of alQaws’ National Leadership, Staff, and Board of Directors, it is our great pleasure to announce that alQaws activist Haneen Sader is joining alQaws’ professional staff team as our new director beginning January 2021.

This step comes as a result of a long process that alQaws undertook to prepare for this leadership transition. This intentional and collective decision is contextualized within our values, principles, and legacy of working with queer issues in Palestine. We don’t see this process as merely a change of directors, but a major transition in roles and responsibilities across the different organizational structures. This transition also reflects evolving political values related to sustainability, growth, and our commitment to providing opportunities to younger generations to continue making change.

Beyond Propaganda: Pinkwashing as Colonial Violence

Sun, 18 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0200

This analysis paper explores a paradigm shift that alQaws has been exploring over the past decade of its grassroots community organizing, which centers the experiences of queer Palestinians.

To discuss what this shift means for queer Palestinian solidarity movements, join our community conversation “Beyond Propaganda: Reorienting Anti-Pinkwashing Organizing” with alQaws and Adallah Justice Project, Thursday October 22nd at 1PM ET / 10AM PT / 8PM Palestine time.

Over a decade ago, Palestinian activists adopted the term “pinkwashing” to describe how the Israeli state and its supporters use the language of gay and trans rights to direct international attention away from the oppression of Palestinians. Israeli travel guides and promotional videos advertise Tel Aviv beaches as a gay-friendly getaway destination—and hide the reality that tourist partygoers are dancing atop the ruins of ethnically cleansed Palestinian villages. The open inclusion of gay officers in the Israeli occupation army is used as proof of liberal forward-mindedness, but for Palestinians the sexuality of the soldier at a checkpoint makes little difference. They all wield the same guns, wear the same boots, and maintain the same colonial regime.

[Webinar] Beyond Propaganda: Reorienting Anti-Pinwashing Organizing

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 00:00:00 +0200

In this community conversation between alQaws and Adalah Justice Project, on the occasion of alQaws’ launch of a new resource on pinkwashing, we’ll be discussing the work of the Palestinian queer movement, how to reorient our understanding of pinkwashing, and the future of collective organizing towards the free Palestine we dream.

Over a decade ago, activists adopted the term “pinkwashing” to describe the Israeli propaganda tactic of ‘washing away’ the oppression of Palestinians by painting Israel as a gay-friendly and liberal state. Israeli pinkwashing tries to win the hearts and minds of international audiences and prevent solidarity with the Palestinian struggle, so the early years of anti-pinkwashing activism focused on fighting against Israeli state propaganda with campaigns, protests, and academic forums. Activists worked to expose the contradiction at the heart of pinkwashing: it’s impossible for a violent colonial regime to also be a “progressive” state.

alQaws Summer 2020 Newsletter: A Rallying Cry for Queer Liberation

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 00:00:00 +0200

In the past year, issues of sexual and gender diversity have become a consistent fixture in mainstream discourse. The space for social dialogue has broadened, elevating these issues within community forums to an unprecedented degree. Nevertheless, violent and reactionary sentiments continue to characterize popular debates in Palestine. This year we have seen that even in death, queer lives continue to be disputed, judged, and denied—a state of affairs that has elicited both pain and solidarity across Palestine and other countries in the region.

Join alQaws’ 12th Annual Training for Hotline Volunteers

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Would you like to join a unique and increasingly expanding project in alQaws?

Would you like to support people seeking a listening ear and information related to sexual/gender identity and sexual orientation?

Do you want to develop your listening and peer-support skills?

Would you like to join a committed team that believes in the importance of volunteering and providing support, as well as contributing to our hotline’s continuous development?

Call for Registration: alQaws’ Fourth Academic School

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society is excited to announce our Fourth Academic School. This year, the School will be held virtually over the period of five weeks, comprising five sessions on September 5, 12, 19, 26 and October 3.

The Academic School is a space for activists and academics to reflect on sexual and gender politics within the settler colonial context in Palestine. alQaws has been organizing the Academic School since 2014 as a unique opportunity to learn, share experiences, and integrate political activism and academia into queer Palestinian liberation discourse.

alQaws' Speech at the "Rallying Cry for Queer Liberation" in Haifa

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 00:06:00 +0200

Haneen Maikey gives alQaws' speech at the "Rallying Cry for Queer Liberation" protest held in Haifa on Wednesday July 29th.

So much has happened since we gathered here last year, and there is so much to address. We are here today because the question of gender and sexual diversity hasn’t left the headlines in Palestine for over 12 months. It reappears time and time again, in political discussions and social debates, each time exposing discrepancies, double-standards, and heinous violence. In spite of that, we have also witnessed the strength and bravery of Palestinian gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and trans folks. We have seen our friends, families, and allies finally raise their voices in support of our struggle.

Queer Palestinians gather in Haifa calling for safety and liberation

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Press Release
Queer Palestinians gather in Haifa calling for safety and liberation

On Wednesday, July 29th, alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society along with other queer and feminist Palestinian organizations will hold a protest in occupied Haifa to raise our voices against the patriarchal, colonial, and capitalist oppressions on LGBT and queer Palestinians, and to demand an end to violence against our bodies and lives.

Since August 2019, a seismic upheaval has torn apart the veil of silence that once shrouded the issue of sexual and gender diversity in Palestine. LGBT and queer Palestinians have offered up a revolutionary challenge to the status quo: the era of polite societal denial of our existence is ending. This is in large part due to over two decades of community and movement building efforts led by Palestinian LGBT and queer groups.

[Online Workshop] On The Question of: Coping with Successive Violent Incidents

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 00:00:00 +0200

As a result of the public discourse over the Palestinian tahini company “Al Arz” and its support for LGBT rights, the previous others that tackled LGBTQ+ people even after their death, and the successive violent incidents that we endure constantly, many thoughts, feelings and doubts rise to the surface, and they collectively become more complex during both the coronavirus pandemic and the social and political turbulences.

Al-Qaws invites you to a digital workshop that discusses the current situation, these incidents, and how they affect us as LGBTQ+ people.

Queer Discussions in the Region: Media, Authority and Society

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Over the past year, we witnessed many incidents and events related to sexual and gender diversity issues take center stage in public debate in the region; from the statement of the Palestinian Police in August 2019 banning and actively inciting against aQaws’ work; to public debate over queer issues in the Lebanese revolution since last October; to the outing campaign and violent incidents against queer folks in Morocco recently, and many other debates and events that widely stirred public opinion.

We’re Searching For alQaws’ Next Director

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 00:00:00 +0200

This recruitment is part of a long process of leadership transition at alQaws that started early this year with the participation of alQaws’ local and national leadership. We feel that young people joining different leadership roles, including management positions at alQaws, is an important step to the growth and sustainability of the queer movement in Palestine.

alQaws is seeking an inspiring and committed person with a vision and a strong belief in grassroots community organizing with different segments of Palestinian society. We are looking for someone who is inspired by the history of the queer movement in Palestine and is passionate to lead the future of our movement. We are seeking an activist with deep knowledge of sexual and gender diversity issues in Palestine and an understanding of its intersections with social and political forces impacting our society.

alQaws Spring Newsletter, April 2020: Working in Times of Corona

Wed, 06 May 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Since COVID-19 arrived on Palestinian shores, we felt a great responsibility to take precautionary measures with regards to some of our planned programs, and built a flexible plan to respond to the growing and changing new needs faced by our communities due to the pandemic. While the pandemic shifted everything, our core mission and the need for our work didn't change. We focused on keeping our communities connected to each other as well as we can, we responded to emerging needs, and were flexible in our approach to continuing our existing work and following new opportunities.

The Queer Arabs Podcast Interviews alQaws

Sat, 25 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

This podcast was originally released on The Queer Arabs Podcast website. Listen to it here.

We were thrilled to be joined by Haneen Maikey and Izzy Mustafa from alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society! We discussed building a politically queer grassroots movement in Palestine, connecting to queer Palestinians in diaspora, confronting Pinkwashing (a tactic of normalizing Israeli hegemony through images of queer-friendliness) both internationally and within Palestinian society, and the place of artistic expression in this movement.

[VIDEO] Pandemic Challenges: Queer and Feminist Perspectives in the Region

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

On Wednesday, 15th of May, 2020, alQaws hosted an open webinar titled “Pandemic Challenges: Queer and Feminist Perspectives in the Region”. Four Arab institutions that work on sexual and gender diversity and sexuality in general participated.

The meeting came as an opportunity among alQaws' attempts to adjust its work to the new situation due to the coronavirus pandemic. These attempts include communicating with the public, and even growing it to include different Arab countries. In addition, the meeting constituted an opportunity for a deeper cooperation between ally institutions, and a space to share our experiences and challenges.

Pandemic Challenges: Queer and Feminist Perspectives in the Region

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 00:00:00 +0200

There is no doubt that the coronavirus pandemic has created various questions and challenges in the face of LGBTQ individuals and other marginalized groups in the society. As a result, this in its turn creates specific challenges for the groups and organizations that are active on gender and sexual diversity issues.

Therefore, as a way of acknowledging the complex situation, and recognizing our political and intellectual responsibility to share our experiences and expertise, we are delighted to invite you to a virtual meeting that deals with the political and professional challenges of the pandemic, and especially those that face the feminist and queer organizations and groups. The meeting will tackle many subjects such as the pandemic’s impact on LGBTQ people and other marginalized groups; the state’s intensified exploitation of the current crisis to regulate our bodies and sexuality; and the continuation of our work as queer and feminist organizations and groups, among others.

Unrelenting Resistance: alQaws Annual Report 2019

Sun, 23 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0200

We are proud to share with you our 2019 Annual Report on the accomplishments we achieved and the challenges alQaws’ leadership and activists faced over the last year. While the past few years all have been exceptional and ever-changing, 2019 was a particularly extraordinary milestone and important shift in our journey, progress, and overall organizational work. The most exciting change has been the progress we witnessed in Palestinian society’s perception and attitudes on sexual and gender diversity. Our organization and our activism have become more visible to wider masses of Palestinian society, and in this process we have walked with our society through a transition from social denial and renunciation toward a new phase of active, visible, audible engagement with LGBTQ issues.

New from Singing Sexuality: Minkom O Feekom

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 00:00:00 +0200

Minkom O Feekom is a new musical production, a medley of 4 music tracks, for Ghanni 3an Ta3rif (Singing Sexuality) project, an educational musical project that is led and produced by alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society. The new medley from ‘Ghanni’ explores how Palestinian and regional traditional (Shami) folk music can be a space to share our lived experiences as LGBTQ Palestinians.

“Minkom O Feekom” is a colloquial way for us to say we are an integral part of society, a statement against social denial and colonial narratives isolating Palestinian queers from Palestinian society, and an invitation for our society to engage in a discussion around sexual and gender diversity in Palestine.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 20/12/2019

Thu, 12 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0200

***Palestinian Queer Party***

Friday 20/12/2019
18:30- 00:00
Address: Art Club, 9 Ha'shakh st.

Arabic Dance Music, Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

***Tickets***
Until 8pm: 35NIS
After 8pm: 45 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years

IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party and NO PICTURES POLICY
For more info: info@alqaws.org

alQaws Fellowship: Palestine Through the Lens of Queer Politics

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws Fellowship:

Palestine Through the Lens of Queer Politics

(3-month; part-time; based in Jerusalem, Palestine)

alQaws is seeking a fellow for a three-month political educational program focused on cross-border networking, knowledge-sharing, and movement building for LGBTQ Palestinians.

In over a decade as an organization, alQaws has worked to show that LGBTQ Palestinians are an integral and active part of our society; with this fellowship, alQaws activists invite LGBTQ Palestinians outside Palestine to join our political home.

An Annual Community Event Supporting Palestinian Queers

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws Benefit Show x NYC

An Annual Community Event Supporting Palestinian Queers

The Peoples Forum

320 W 37th St, New York, NY

Wednesday, December 4th

6:00 PM

Come join us for a night of performances to raise funds to help bring together and support Palestinian Queers across borders. This past year, alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society has seen enormous growth in Palestine in terms of visibility and impact, and at the same time, alQaws leadership has been dealing with vicious societal and state violence since August this year.

alQaws’ Post-Police Statement: The Persecution and Restrictions Continue

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws’ Post-Police Statement: The Persecution and Restrictions Continue

In August this year, the Palestinian Authority police’s spokesperson issued a statement banning alQaws’ activities in the West Bank, threatening persecution of its organizers, and inciting citizens to report any person affiliated with alQaws. The police statement signalled a dangerous targeting of alQaws’ activities and activists, while the ensuing public debate revealed both violent diatribe against us and an overwhelming wave of support for alQaws from people concerned with the safety of all Palestinians.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 25/10/2019

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 00:00:00 +0200

***Palestinian Queer Party***

Friday 25/10/2019
18:30- 00:00
Address: Art Club, 9 Ha'shakh st
Arabic Dance Music, Palestinian Drag Shows, and more

***Tickets***
Until 8pm: 35NIS
After 8pm: 45 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years

IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party and NO PICTURES POLICY

For more info: info@alqaws.org

alQaws Fall Newsletter: August 2019, Our Next Phase of Queer Organizing in Palestine

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 00:00:00 +0200

At the beginning of each new season of the year, we send our friends and allies a newsletter describing alQaws’ most important news and achievements. The last few months were exceptional for us, so much so that we realize we have opened a new chapter for our organization and its journey. We share with you here a summary of events and recent developments, particularly during the month of August 2019.

5 Way to Support Palestinian Queers

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200

*** 5 Way to Support Palestinian Queers***

On 18 August, the Palestinian Police Force issued an official statement banning the activities of alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society. The announcement followed an unprecedented attack on alQaws in social media channels. The statement promotes incitement against alQaws - and LGBTQ Palestinians - by encouraging members of society to report on alQaws activities. alQaws has since denounced such fear-mongering by Palestinian authorities, and criticised efforts to position the organisation as a “foreign agent.” alQaws and its members and activists are an integral part of Palestinian civil society working both to support LGBTQ groups in Palestinian society, as well as fighting for freedom from Israeli occupation and colonisation. alQaws has refused the ban on its activities and noted it will continue its work to fight patriarchy, colonialism and homophobia across historical Palestine.

AlQaws response to the PA police statment

Sun, 18 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Last night (Saturday, August 17th), the spokesperson for the Palestinian Authority police, Louai Irzeqat, issued a statement concerning alQaws' activities in the West Bank. This first-ever statement about alQaws declared that the PA police would prohibit any event organized or held by alQaws for Gender and Sexual Diversity in Palestinian Society. The police claimed it goes against “traditional Palestinian values” accusing us as “foreign agents.” The statement went further, calling on citizens to complain about any “suspicious” activities and for the persecution of alQaws staff and activists.

Anncouncing our Queer Youth Camp!

Tue, 06 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200

We are pleased to invite you to join alQaws’ first queer youth camp, which will be held between the days 30-31 of August. The camp provides an oppurtinity for LGBT/queer people between the ages 18-24 to meet and discuss basic concepts about sexual and gender diversity and explore different aspects of their sexuality and its relationship with society.

The Camp aims is to provide space for participants to share their experiences and knowledge through interactive workshops, lectures, and fun educational activities. Our collective work in the camp will open up new questions and discussions that should help participants understand their sexual and gender experiences, and give them an opportunity to build a shared vision about the possibilities of queer life in Palestine. The camp is run by a group of alQaws activists with a background in social work and facilitating youth group, as well as in-depth knowledge of sexual and gender diversity.

Palestinian Voices Condemn Violence Against LGBTQ people

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 00:00:00 +0200

One Collective, Assertive and Responsible Voice:

Stop Violence Against LGBTQ people in Palestine

On Friday, July 26th, 2019, a Palestinian teen from the northern village of Tamra (48’ areas) was severely stabbed by his brother over his suspected gender and sexual identity. The incident took place near an LGBT youth shelter in Tel Aviv. After surgery and spending time in the ICU, thankfully they survived and are now slowly recovering in the hospital.

alQaws Training for Institutions: Significant Progress in Social Discussion

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws Training for Institutions: Significant Progress in Social Discussion

In the first week of July, alQaws has completed its annual training for civil society institutions in Ramallah for the fifth consecutive year. alQaws held the training at its Ramallah office, with 14 attendees from different institutions from the area.

Participating institutions have varied in terms of the nature and scope of their work and included institutions working on gender issues, such as the Arab Forum for Sexuality, and other human rights and women's organizations such as alHaq in Ramallah, the Rural Women's Association and the Arab Rehabilitation Society.

Wikipedia Writing and Editing Training Completed

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Wikipedia Writing and Editing Training Completed

On Saturday, July 13, 2019, alQaws completed a two-day long intensive training on writing and editing on Wikipedia, which focused on topics related to sexual and gender diversity in Palestine. The training took place at alQaws’s office in Ramallah.

Ten people participated in the training including alQaws activists, coming from various cities such as Ramallah, Jerusalem, Nablus and Haifa. The meetings were facilitated by a Wikipedia activist.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 31.05.2019

Sat, 25 May 2019 00:00:00 +0200

***Palestinian Queer Party***
Friday 31-5-2019
18:30- 00:00
Address: Art Club, 9 Ha'shakh st.

Arabic Dance Music, Palestinian Drag Shows, and more.

***Tickets***
Until 8pm: 35NIS
After 8pm: 45 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party and NO PICTURES POLICY
For more info: info@alqaws.org

Fifth Annual Training for Civil Society Organizations in Ramallah

Sat, 11 May 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Fifth Annual Training for Civil Society Organizations in Ramallah

11-05-2019

Invitation to Register

Sexual and Gender Diversity in the Palestinian Society: Key Concepts and Terminology

Fifth Annual Training for Civil Society Organizations in Ramallah

June - July 2019

We are pleased to invite you to attend the 5th Annual Civil Society Training in Ramallah, which provides an important forum for discussion on the issues of sexual and gender diversity in the Palestinian society and its intersections with our different social and professional roles.

Spring Newsletter 2019: Growing Possibilities, Broadening Our Reach

Thu, 25 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Wrapping up last year and embarking on this one, we started with full enthusiasm and anticipation, with a new phase and strategic vision that aspires to increase and intensify the visibility of sexual and gender diversity in Palestine.

We began this year just as we envisioned and even surpassed our own expectations, as we expanded alQaws’ community outreach through various grassroots projects and initiatives, like our famous youth oriented comic series and the distribution of an educational flyer across 7 different university campuses, and through dedicating resources to strengthen alQaws’ activists’ capacities in projects like our “alKhat-Listening & Information Hotline” and our educational training team

New Training Course for Alkhat: Listening & Information Hotline 2019

Fri, 19 Apr 2019 00:00:00 +0200

We are pleased to announce the opening of a training course for new volunteers who are interested in joining our “alKhat - Listening & Information Hotline” team.

The training course is planned to start at the end of May 2019, and extends over 12 meetings (60 hours of training). The location of the training will be determined based on where most of the participants live.

The training course is open to those who identify as LGBTQ/queer and are over 23 years old who are interested in developing their listening and support skills in a professional peer-to-peer setting.

alQaws Distributes Thousands of Flyers on University Campuses

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0200

On Tuesday morning, the 26th of March, dozens of activists from all around Palestine distributed thousands of flyers in universities in Palestine, including at An-Najah National University, Birzeit University, and Al Quds University in Abu Dis, in addition to distributing them to Palestinian students at universities in Haifa and other cities in the ‘48 territories.

The flyer — titled “Did You Know?”— included five short sentences that challenge the sexual and gender binaries that dominate Palestinian society and erase the rich sexual and gender diversity in Palestine.

Tarwiha 2, Queer Youth Comics: Tackling Family Relationships

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0200

On Wednesday, March 20, alQaws launched the second season of our queer youth comic series “Tarwiha” with a revamped visual style and a more nuanced educational approach. The season’s first episode highlights the bittersweet nature of our relationship with family, and the tension between two essential, yet often separate, parts of lives: our family and our (queer) friends.

This season features 8 episodes tackling our relationship with family, from daily lived experiences to more tense moments, bringing Tarwiha’s storylines closer to reality with stories and experiences inspired by LGBT/queer youth that we meet..

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 15.03.2019

Tue, 05 Mar 2019 00:00:00 +0200

Friday 15.03.2019
18:30 - 24:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Facebook Event

Tickets
Until 8pm: 35 NIS
After 8pm: 45 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

alQaws’ Impact in 2018: Visible & Persistent

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0200

At the end of every year and the start of another, alQaws publishes its annual report highlighting the accomplishments and transformations in our work. "Ten Years of alQaws: Looking Back, Pressing Ahead" was the title of our last annual report, and indeed that was the theme for the entire year of 2017. Today we return, never running short of reasons to celebrate or milestones to chronicle. This year we embark on a new journey with you, as we wrap up our strategic plan for the last three years (2016-2018) and prepare for the next three.

Boycott Eurovision in Israel and Tel Aviv Pride

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 00:00:00 +0200

New call from Pinkwatching Israel - a global movement for queer powered BDS - to boycott Eurovision in Israel and Tel Aviv Pride. (Originially published here)

In the early morning of June 28, 1969, trans and queer people took the streets of New York City fighting police violence and harassment in their communities. The Stonewall Riots symbolize LGBTQIA resistance against daily harassment, assault, death and violence. Enough was enough!

Singing Sexuality Releases Last Single of 2018

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws’ music production project Singing Sexuality, initially launched in 2013, made a comeback in 2018 with 3 singles: the first was el-Ossa Hiyyi Hiyyi (Same Old Story) by Ramallah-based artist Yusor, and Ma Betghayyerni (You Won’t Change Me) by Bashar Murad from Jerusalem. Today, Singing Sexuality introduces its last release of the year, “Khali Hobbak Yekhtar” (Let Your Love Decide) by Haifa-based group Darbet Shams.

Tarwiha Comic Book Release and Discussion in Jerusalem

Wed, 12 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws organized an open discussion event today in Jerusalem addressing sexual and gender diversity issues in schools, where we released our recently launched Tarwiha* comic book.

The discussion highlighted the experiences of LGBTQ/queer people in school, exploring Tarwiha both artistically and as an educational platform for bringing these issues to light.

The event started with a queer reading and artistic critique of the comic series, followed by commentary from an education specialist. A conversation then ensued about gender-based violence and alQaws’ field perspective addressing it in recent years.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 14.12.2018

Sun, 02 Dec 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 14.12.2018
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

alQaws Launches “Tarwiha” Comic Book in Haifa

Mon, 26 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0200

We read their stories online. Now it is time to see them on paper for us to keep and cherish.

alQaws organized a launch event today for the print version of its Tarwiha* comic series. The launch included a discussion about the process of creating the series at alQaws, imagining spaces to express sexuality through visual language, and educational questions addressing sexual and gender diversity among youth and adolescents. Copies of the comic book were handed out for a small fee, and we raised our glass and danced together to celebrate the launch.

alQaws in Summer ‘18

Thu, 11 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Summer ’18 was chockfull of action for alQaws: celebrating the conclusion of some projects, relaunching others, and exploring new ventures. We are thrilled to share a few of these accomplishments with you!

Teacher Training in I'billin

With the start of summer, alQaws concluded a training course for teachers and educators at Mar Elias High School in the village of I’billin. The training began in March and ran for 3 months.

alQaws Party & Fundraiser in NYC

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200

In support of alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society

Tuesday, October 2
7pm Door & drink specials // 8 Live performances // 10pm DJ Fursa & dancing
Starr Bar, 214 Starr St, Brooklyn
Tickets: $10-$20 sliding scale [No one turned away for lack of funds]

Facebook event

Come join us for a night of performances and partying to raise funds for alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society. Headquartered in occupied Jerusalem, alQaws is at the forefront of vibrant Palestinian cultural and social change, building queer and trans communities and promoting new ideas about the role of gender and sexuality -- be it in resistance to Israeli occupation and apartheid or everyday life.

Support alQaws – Kickstart the Next 10 Years

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200

JOIN US IN CELEBRATING 10 YEARS, AND SUPPORT US AS WE EMBARK ON THE NEXT 10!

Support us here: https://donorbox.org/alqaws

The Last Ten | Since forming ten years ago, alQaws has emerged as the leading grassroots Palestinian LGBTQ led movement supporting individuals, building up communities, and transforming society across divisions—colonial, cultural, social, economic, etc.

Our work began in Jerusalem with a handful of activists seeking space to gather and with a vision for a society that embraces gender and sexual diversity. It has grown to include centralized hubs of work and spaces in 4 cities (and expanding), and programs and projects that reach LGBTQ individuals, youth, and communities, as well teachers, families, mental health professionals, musicians, journalists, civil society organizations, and more.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 05.10.2018

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 05.10.2018
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

alQaws Director talks to QX Magazine about Queer Organizing in Palestine

Wed, 12 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200

In her interview with QX (the largest Swedish LGBT magazine), alQaws director Haneen Maikey talks about grassroots queer organizing in Palestine, and the transformation alQaws is leading in Palestinian soceity. Originally published here.

Hbtq-organisationen ”alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society” är en gräsrotsorganisation som jobbar för att förändra den allmänna attityden till sexualitet, sexuell läggning och genus i det palestinska samhället.

När jag kallar henne aktivist säger hon att hon själv försöker kalla sig för ”queer community organizer” eftersom det bättre beskriver den roll hon har idag.

alQaws Releases Second Single from “Singing Sexuality 2”

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws released last week the second single from its musical project “Singing Sexuality 2”. The song, titled “Ma Betghayyerni” (Meaning “You Won’t Change Me”), is written, composed, and performed by Jerusalem-based artist Bashar Murad.

Following the first single launched in July, Ma Betghayyerni comes as a continuation to the second iteration of the project Singing Sexuality, originally launched in 2013. This year the project shifted from a single album launch, to separate single releases.

alQaws Concludes Annual Training for Hotline Volunteers

Wed, 08 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws concluded its annual training for new volunteers at “alKhat: Listening and Information Hotline.” The 12-week training ran from May to August 2018 for a total of 60 hours in Yaffa.

The 8 new volunteers will join a committed team of 15 activists running alQaws’ national hotline every Sunday and Wednesday via phone and chat at www.alkhat.org.

Offered annually, the training is open to people of queer experience over the age of 23. Volunteers are guided to develop their listening and support skills in a professional peer-support environment. Applicants are interviewed prior to joining the training course.

alQaws Concludes Third Academic School for Sexual and Gender Diversity

Sat, 04 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Today, alQaws concluded the Third Academic School for Sexual and Gender Diversity. The event titled “On Violence: Sexual Politics in the Colonial Context of Palestine” ran for three days in Beit Jala.

The School, organized by alQaws for its third run since 2014, took up the theme of “violence” as a topic to analyze through the lens of sexual politics under colonialism. Since the last Academic School in 2016, the notion of violence—in its different forms—became at the center of alQaws’ work, as highlighted by the social media campaign launched by alQaws last year tackling the violence experienced by queer Palestinians.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 10.08.2018

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 10.08.2018
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

alQaws Holds Therapist Guidebook Discussions

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Following the publishing of “Introduction to Sexual and Gender Diversity for Mental Health Professionals,” it was necessary to expand the conversation around it, and to allow professionals the space to discuss its contents with a critical lens.

In July, alQaws organized 3 events in Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Shefa-'Amr to discuss the guidebook among mental health professionals. Tens of therapists, educators, and social workers attended the events.

alQaws Releases First Single from “Singing Sexuality 2”

Wed, 18 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Today, alQaws released the first single from its musical project “Singing Sexuality 2” (“Ghanni ‘An al-Ta’rif 2” in Arabic). The song “el-Ossa Hiyyi Hiyyi” (meaning “Same Old Story”) is written, composed, and performed by the artist Yusor.

The single is born out of the experience of many queer relationships, which constantly face social challenges and scrutiny, where one partner is left hesitant and unsure of their situation, considering their same-sex relationship “uncomfortable” and outside of the norm.

alQaws Releases Comic Series Highlighting Queer Experiences at School

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Majd, Sari, Rasha, and Rani—the comic series “Tarwiha” features these four queer characters living different sexual and gender experiences. Their lives differ, yet they intersect. They all meet up after school to share the experiences, stories, and challenges they face during the day.

In this youth-oriented comic series, alQaws aims to feature young queer voices, by sharing stories that queer youth have seen, heard, or lived at school. In recent years, alQaws has realized the significance of addressing the diversity of sexual and gender experiences in schools, choosing to highlight them through an exciting visual storytelling medium that can reach parents, teachers, and, most importantly, students.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 22.06.2018

Fri, 08 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 22.06.2018
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Boycott the Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival 2018

Thu, 07 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

New call from Pinkwatching Israel - a global movement for queer powered BDS - to boycott the Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival.

Palestinian queers and their allies in the BDS movement call for a boycott of the Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival (TLVFest) taking place between May 31- June 9 2018. We call on international filmmakers to withdraw their movies from the festival and respect the Palestinian call for a cultural boycott of Israel until Palestinians have their human rights respected. Palestinians are calling for people of conscience around the world to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law, including a call for artists not to perform or show their work in Israel. The Palestinian cultural boycott call has been heeded by a growing number of cultural figures from around the world including filmmakers John Greyson, Mira Nair, Ken Loach,The Yes Men and Mike Leigh. It sends Israel the message that there is no business as usual for as long as Israel continues to oppress and deny rights to Palestinians.

BOYCOTT TEL AVIV PRIDE 2018!

Wed, 06 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Pinkwatching Israel – a global movement for queer powered BDS – is launching its new campaign "BOYCOTT TEL AVIV PRIDE! SAY NO TO PINKWASHING OF ISRAELI APARTHEID!"

Israel’s Tel Aviv Pride claims to celebrate diversity, but underneath the rainbow Israel is hiding more than 70 years of occupation, colonialism and apartheid. The annual Tel Aviv Pride events including the main parade are used by the Israeli government as an exercise in public diplomacy and to whitewash its daily violations of Palestinian human rights. Israeli government agencies work hand-in-hand with Israeli LGBTQ organisations to promote Tel Aviv as a liberal haven in order to distract international attention from its daily violations of Palestinian rights. The Tel Aviv Pride Industry does not stand on its own. Each year, international journalists, LGBTQ organizations, the gay party and business circuit, gay travel organizations, artists, drag queens, and filmmakers are invited not only to promote and attend Tel Aviv Pride, but moreover to give legitimacy to Israel’s ongoing oppression of Palestinians.

New Teacher Training in I'billin

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 00:00:00 +0200

With the start of summer, alQaws concluded a training course for teachers and educators at Mar Elias High School in the village of I’billin. The training began in March and ran for 3 months.

alQaws’ teacher training program aims to expand the conversation around sexual and gender diversity in schools. It provides basic knowledge to educators and opens the space to ask questions and share the difficulties facing teachers.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 27.04.2018

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 27.04.2018
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Social Media Campaign Marks New Milestone in Palestinian Queer Organizing

Fri, 06 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0200

(This article was originally published in Arabic on Arab48)

Over the last decade, a queer organizing movement has been emerging in Palestinian civil society, aiming to highlight the sexual and gender diversity in Palestinian society. The movement began to gain momentum with the founding of alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society over ten years ago. Started as a small group of Palestinian queer activists living mainly in Jerusalem and Ramallah, the group is now one of the largest and most influential Palestinian organizations in this field.

New Poster: Violence Against LGBTQ People

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 00:00:00 +0200

"Violence Against LGBTQ People"

What?

The marginalization, exclusion, and harm faced by LGBTQ individuals as well as people with any sexual or gender orientations, behaviors, or expressions considered non-normative or socially unacceptable. It ranges from ongoing daily implicit violence, to the more explicit and more direct.

When? Who?

Violence could occur anywhere, from the most intimate places (at home, in a classroom, in therapy), to the most public spaces (in the street, the neighborhood, the school yard).

Queer Youth Group Concludes in Nazareth

Wed, 14 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws concluded a queer youth group in Nazareth which ran from December 2017 to March 2018. The 12-week process delved into personal attitudes regarding sexuality as well as personal experiences and stories. Participants also discussed challenges related to identity and social change from individual, family, and societal levels.

alQaws youth groups are held periodically in different areas in Palestine. The groups cater to lesbian, gay, bi, trans, and queer youth of various sexual and gender experiences.

alQaws Holds Study Day on Sexual and Gender Diversity in Therapy

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Today, alQaws held a study day on “Sexual and Gender Diversity Issues in Psychological Intervention” at the Palestine Red Crescent Society headquarters in al-Bireh/Ramallah. The event was attended by over 70 Palestinian psychologists, social workers, psychology students, and mental health professionals.

The study day was organized as the advocacy activity required of the first therapist advocacy group in Ramallah, which was held for a full year with alQaws activists and coducted by educational consultant Mustafa Shalata. The event included lectures and panels addressing basic concepts related to sexual and gender diversity, as well as the individual, familial, and societal factors affecting the experiences of LGBTQ people, and how they manifest in counseling or therapy.

Haneen Maikey Talks to Astraea Foundation about alQaws' Work

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:00:00 +0200

(Originally published on Astraea's website here)

alQaws, founded in 2007, is the leading Palestinian LGBTQ organization working directly with Palestinian civil society to create a sustainable, persistent, community-based social change movement.

In the above video, founder Haneen Maikey discusses the organization’s work and what it’s meant to receive support from Astraea.

Learn more about alQaws.

Join us to support organizations like alQaws who are leading transformative movements for social change in their communities in the U.S. and around the world!

alQaws Publishes Guidebook for Mental Health Professionals

Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0200

This month alQaws published the guidebook “Introduction to Sexual and Gender Diversity for Mental Health Professionals,” which aims to assist mental health professionals in dealing with sexual and gender diversity issues within their field.

This guidebook is widely seen as the first attempt to provide a simple introduction to these issues, as well as a credible reference that deals with the basic questions posed by mental health professionals. The guide aims to advance how sexual and gender diversity is approached in the field of mental health, and to enable professionals to have more productive discussions within their circles regarding these topics.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 9.3.2018

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 9.3.2018
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

“Jadaliyya” Publishes New Articles on Sexual Politics in Palestine

Thu, 15 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0200

Sexual Politics in the Colonial Context of Palestine

An Introduction

By: Aamer Ibraheem

(Originally published on Jadaliyya.com in Arabic)

Knowledge has long traveled across different geographies and cultures. This constant movement and creation of ideas and concepts offers us a lens through which to view ourselves and analyze our realities. Historically, ideologies either travel forcibly through the hegemonic powers of their creators, or arise as a response to those powers. Yet, in some rare cases knowledge can emerge independent of this reactionary dynamic. However, this notion of “traveling theory,” as Edward Said describes it^[1], tends to be based on the violent clash between the knowledge created to control and the knowledge created to liberate. On this journey following the routes of knowledge, we must ask ourselves the question “how did we come to know what we know today?” We need to to examine the political, social, and economic factors affecting our bodies and the processes that allowed us to arrive at a specific type of knowledge while censoring others. The question then becomes “why this knowledge specifically?”

New Poster: What is Sexual Identity?

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 00:00:00 +0200

(Click the poster above to download it in Arabic)

Sexual Identity:

A term that describes a person’s perception of the many different aspects of their sexuality. There are many components to sexual identity, each carrying its own meaning that evolves and develops throughout a person’s life.

Biological Sex:

A social construct that categorizes people based on their internal and external sex organs, genes, and sex chromosomes, as well as sex hormones. Most people are born with a relative “congruence” between their genetic/biological and hormonal makeup, and are therefore classified as “male” or “female.” The medical system and society at large usually choose to determine a person’s biological sex as “male” or “female” according to their external sex organs. In reality, people are born with diverse biological, chromosomal, and/or hormonal differences, or variances in their secondary sex characteristics. Many of these people cannot be conclusively assigned “male” or “female” at birth according to medical, legal, and/or social standards. The medical term intersex is often used to describe them.

Ten Years of alQaws: Looking Back, Pressing Ahead

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 00:00:00 +0200

We're pleased to share with you our 2017 annual report "Ten Years of alQaws: Looking Back, Pressing Ahead", which highlights the last ten years of alQaws and some major milestones along the way. Click the image below to view the full report. For the Arabic version, click here.

Dear Friends,

Although turmoil and uncertainty about the future encircle us yet again, the closing of one year always brings with it the potential for renewal—for spotting hope on the horizon of the new year. This year, we celebrate an important milestone not only for the queer community in Palestine, but for our whole society: 10 years since the formation of alQaws, Palestinian society’s largest and most influential organization for building strong LGBT/queer communities and for bringing about a social and cultural upheaval when it comes to our society’s response to gender and sexual diversity.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 22.12.2017

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 22.12.2017
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Check out the dates of our queer parties in 2017

alQaws Publishes Guidebook for Journalists

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws published earlier this month the guidebook “Journalism Guidelines for Covering Sexual and Gender Diversity Issues.” It serves as handbook for journalists, media outlets, journalism students, and activists covering stories related to people’s lived sexual and gender experiences, which are mostly marginalized in the media.

This guide comes as part of alQaws’ efforts to work with Palestinian media outlets regarding issues of sexual and gender diversity. The two-year research project titled “Attitudes & Trends in Palestinian Media on Sexual & Gender Diversity Issues” conducted by alQaws last year emphasized the need for professional tools, knowledge, and guidance on individual and institutional levels.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 17.11.2017

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 17.11.2017
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Check out the dates of our queer parties in 2017

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 6.10.2017

Wed, 27 Sep 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 6.10.2017
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Check out the dates of our queer parties in 2017

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 25.08.2017

Wed, 16 Aug 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 25.08.2017
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Check out the dates of our queer parties in 2017

Difference never justifies violence - New Social Media Campaign

Sun, 09 Jul 2017 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws: for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society and 7amleh: Arab Center for Social Media Advancement" are proud to release the first video of its new social media campaign "Difference never Justifies Violence - stand up against violence toward LGBTQs!" alQaws and 7amleh’s campaign to root out violence against LGBTQs in Palestinian society comprises three videos, as well as a series of posters and educational material, which all appear on a brightly colored mini-website.

We are proud that our first video launch exceeded our expectations and already have more than 36K organic views in less than 24 hours.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 30.06.2017

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 30.06.2017

17:00 - 23:00

Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.

Arabic Dance Music, Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets

Until 8pm: 30 NIS

After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years

IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party

and NO PICTURES POLICY

for more info: info@alqaws.org

Check out the dates of our queer parties in 2017

Why We Should Boycott Gay Pride in Tel Aviv

Wed, 14 Jun 2017 00:00:00 +0200

I am a queer Palestinian who has been working tirelessly over the last decade for sexual and gender diversity, as well as LGBTQI visibility in Palestinian society. And I am committed to fighting for justice for all people. So why am I calling for an international boycott of Gay Pride in Tel Aviv this June?

Gay Pride in Tel Aviv is heavily sponsored by the Israeli government and is cynically deployed to divert attention from the occupation of Palestinian lands and the daily violation of Palestinian rights.

Boycott the Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival

Thu, 18 May 2017 00:10:00 +0200

New call from Pinkwatching Israel - a global movement for queer powered BDS - to boycott the Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival.

Palestinian queers and their allies in the BDS movement call for a boycott of the Tel Aviv International LGBT Film Festival (TLVFest) taking place between June 1-10 2017. We call on international filmmakers to withdraw their movies from the festival and respect the Palestinian call for a cultural boycott of Israel until Palestinians have their human rights respected. Like with apartheid South Africa, Palestinians are calling for people of conscience around the world to hold Israel accountable for its violations of international law, including a call for artists not to perform or show their work in Israel. The Palestinian cultural boycott call has been heeded by a growing number of cultural figures from around the world including filmmakers John Greyson, Mira Nair, Ken Loach,The Yes Men and Mike Leigh. It sends Israel the message that there is no business as usual for as long as Israel continues to oppress and deny rights to Palestinians.

BOYCOTT TEL AVIV PRIDE 2017!

Thu, 18 May 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Pinkwatching Israel – a global movement for queer powered BDS – is launching its new campaign “Israeli Occupation, Colonialism, Apartheid! Don’t ‘Let it B’! Boycott Tel Aviv Pride 2017!”

Israel’s Tel Aviv Pride 2017 claims to celebrate diversity, but underneath the rainbow Israel is hiding 69 years of occupation, colonialism and apartheid. While this year’s official theme is acceptance of the bisexual community, with the slogan ‘Let it B,’ the annual Tel Aviv Pride Parade is really nothing more than an exercise in international diplomacy. Israeli government agencies work hand-in-hand with Israeli LGBTQ organisations to promote Tel Aviv as a liberal haven in order to distract international attention from its daily violations of Palestinian rights. The Tel Aviv Pride Industry does not stand on its own. Each year, international journalists, LGBTQ organizations, the gay party and business circuit, gay travel organizations, artists, drag queens, and filmmakers are invited not only to promote and attend Tel Aviv Pride, but moreover to give legitimacy to Israel’s ongoing oppression of Palestinians.

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 05.05.2017

Thu, 20 Apr 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 05.05.2017
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Check out the dates of our queer parties in 2017

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 24.03.2017

Sat, 18 Mar 2017 00:30:00 +0200

Facebook Event

Friday 24.3.2017
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Ha'shakh st.
Arabic Dance Music
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Palestinian Queer Party | Friday 10.2.2017

Sun, 29 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook event

Friday 10.2.2017
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Hashach st.
Arabic Dance Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

alQaws Queer Parties – Dates for 2017

Fri, 20 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws queer parties are one of the most significant social gatherings for the Palestinian queer communities; we bring together old and new community members, activists, allies, and friends in a unique and special space to celebrate sexual and gender diversity in Palestine.

alQaws organizes eight queer parties each year in Yaffa, with Arabic bob music and local drag shows.

Dates for 2017:
10.2
24.3
5.5
30.6
25.8
6.10
17.11
22.12

alQaws’ Accomplishments for 2016 Queer Organizing in Palestine: Stronger Leadership and Growing Visibility

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Dear Friends,

More than ever, we at alQaws are proud to share with you the main highlights and accomplishments from 2016. This year flew by, so this is the perfect opportunity for us to take the time to reflect on the work led by our remarkable activists and dedicated staff, and to share it with you. Yes, we are tired, but the undeniable momentum we have built up over this and prior years has already started to spark our energy and fuel our sense of hope for another dynamic and fulfilling year.

Palestinian Queer Party | Christmas Party \ 23.12.2016

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook event

Friday 23.12.2016
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Hashach st.
Arabic Dance Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

alQaws' Starts First Therapists' Group in the West Bank

Thu, 27 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Building on the success of alQaws' first therapists’ group in Haifa (a 3-year process), we are pleased to announce the inaugural therapists' group in the West Bank on November 8th, 2016. This innovative project, exploring therapeutic applications of sexual and gender diversity, is part of alQaws’ “Professional Advocacy Groups” strategy, a broad initiative that aims to work with different professional groups and meaningfully engage them in the discussion and the activism around sexual and gender diversity in Palestine. This appears to be the first ever professional working group on gender and sexuality in the West Bank and the registered therapists have expressed welcome, anticipation, and excitement.

alQaws’ therapists’ groups rely on peer-to-peer learning to explore issues related to sexuality, sexual identity and gender, as well as their dimensions and presence in therapy. The groups aim to provide space for a learning process that translates knowledge into action and allow participants to explore and reflect on aspects of sexuality and gender in therapy. The groups also aspire to organize professional activities dedicated to the production and development of new intellectual, theoretical, and locally-informed knowledge.

The group meets on Tuesdays between 10:00 - 14:00. Registration is closed.

For more information contact our advocacy and networking coordinator at Mary@alqaws.org.

Akhat's New Stickers

Wed, 26 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Palestinian Queer Party \ 14.10.2016

Mon, 03 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Facebook event

Friday 14.10.2016
17:00 - 23:00
Address: Duplex Club, 10 Hashach st.
Arabic Dance Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

July Hawamesh: Violence Against Queer Bodies, Local and Global Perspectives

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0200

The July Hawamesh (“on the margins”) meeting will explore aspects of violence against LGBTQ persons and communities from global and local perspectives, through analysis of the Palestinian societal discourse, the forms, manifestations, and projections of violence, and the different ways local Palestinian LGBTQ communities, and society in general, deal with and discuss it.

Monday, July 11, 2016 @ 19:00 in alMahatta, Haifa

For the Facebook event, click here (Arabic Only).

Study Days for Palestinian Journalists in Haifa & Ramallah

Mon, 04 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws is pleased to invite Palestinian journalists, reporters, editors, and broadcasters to a special event on alQaws’ newly-released media research, "Attitudes & Trends in Palestinian Media on Sexual & Gender Diversity Issues." The discussions will be held on July 14 and July 19 in Haifa and Ramallah, respectively. The study days provide an important opportunity to share research results and findings, as well as the chance to discuss the research recommendations. The study days are dedicated and open to Palestinian media professionals and journalists only.
For more information: info@alqaws.org

Palestinian Queer Party \ 15.7.2016

Sun, 03 Jul 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Palestinian Queer Party
Friday 15.7.2016
17:00 - 23:00
Duplex Club
10 Hashach St., Yaffa (Bet Herzel and Salamih St.)

Arabic Dance Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 8pm: 30 NIS
After 8pm: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Palestinian Queer Party \ 3.6.2016

Mon, 30 May 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Friday 3.6.2016
17:00 - 23:00
Martef Club
2 Habankim st. Haifa

Arabic Dance Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets: 30 NIS
Entrance for 18+ years

IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Facebook event

BOYCOTT TEL AVIV PRIDE 2016

Sat, 28 May 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Pinkwatching Israel – a global movement for queer powered BDS – is launching its new campaign “Boycott Tel Aviv Pride.”

FLY IN WITH PRIDE PLANE, AND SKIP RACIST INTERROGATION

TEL AVIV GAY PRIDE IS ROYALLY SPONSORED BY THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT

Tel Aviv is known as a “top gay destination.” However, gay pride brochures fail to mention that it is also an hour away from the world’s largest open prison, Gaza, and that it is built on stolen land. They forget to mention that the gay soldiers you dance with in the pride parade check, arrest, and kill Palestinians on a daily basis. After your day of pride, some tour operators will take you to Bethlehem or the Dead Sea, without telling you that you will travel through the illegally Occupied Palestinian Territories, or that the wine you are drinking in the Golan Heights comes from businesses that have been declared illegal under International Law.

alQaws Completes Second Educational Program for Teachers in Shefa-amr

Sun, 03 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws recently completed a thirty-hour educational training course entitled "Concepts and Tools in Sexual and Gender Diversity" at the Greek Catholic High School in Shefa-amr. Notably, this was the second time alQaws was asked to provide this training module in Shefa-amr, after strong feedback from the initial trainings. This program was specially designed to engage teachers and to address key issues they face while teaching. alQaws trainers provided information about sexual and gender diversity and led discussion about the manifestation of these issues in Palestinian high schools today. The session primarily focused on the role of the professional educator in dealing with students of varying sexual and gender identities and worked to enhance educators' skills in providing safe spaces. The training was developed in partnership with the educational staff at the school and Training Team at alQaws to ensure the specific needs of the school and the educators remained a clear focus throughout the sessions.

The teachers and the educational staff at the school offered strong, positive feedback to alQaws and emphasized the importance of developing new educational tools to offer professional educators guidance on sexual and gender diversity issues inside schools.

Order our training program, specially designed for teachers: email mary@alqaws.org or call 0526946333.

Bring alQaws Educational Training to Your Organization

Sun, 03 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0200

In recent years, alQaws has become the primary source of information and knowledge on Sexual and Gender Diversity in the Palestinian context. alQaws’ expertise, which is enhanced by ongoing advocacy and service initiatives in alQaws, grew from years of experience offering educational training for professional staff and activists in civil society organizations (CSOs), political and social movements, and other professional settings. During 2015 alone, alQaws’ educational training team provided over 130 training hours in eight different CSOs and educational institutions, working with youth and marginalized groups from the Galilee, Nazareth, Jaffa, Lod, and East Jerusalem, in addition to providing training for teachers in high schools.

alQaws’ educational training unit aims to provide a wide range of professionals and activists with basic skills, information, and analytical tools on Sexual and Gender Diversity. The goal of this initiative is to develop inclusive workplace strategies and methods, as well as to facilitate effective and inclusive approaches to Sexual and Gender Diversity issues inside civil society organizations and movements. Through its training unit, alQaws offers educational workshops, intensive training sessions, and long-term courses about sexual and gender identity. In addition, alQaws offers one-shot lectures on topics related to the educational, psychological, social, and political aspects of sexuality in Palestine.

To learn more about the alQaws Training Unit and\or to schedule training workshops for your organization, please contact us at:

Tel: 0526946333 (Mary)
Emil: mary@alqaws.org

NEW: Queer Palestinian Forum at Tel Aviv University

Sun, 03 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0200

First meeting: Tuesday, April 5th, at 17:00 at Tel Aviv University.
Discussion Topic: Myths about Homosexuality

Palestinian students at Tel Aviv University have organized a queer forum to discuss Sexual and Gender Diversity, the first Palestinian queer youth group ever to exist at Tel Aviv University. This monthly meeting, facilitated by Palestinian students and supported by alQaws, will facilitate an important dialogue situating Sexual and Gender Diversity within Palestinian contexts. This unprecedented forum at Tel Aviv University aspires to provide a safe space for LGBTQ Palestinians and allies, through series of monthly meetings to discuss LGBTQ issues, homosexuality, and Sexual and Gender Diversity.

The first meeting, "Myths about Homosexuality," will involve discussion of universal and local myths and misconceptions about homosexuality. For additional information and/or to join the meeting, please contact us via e-mail at info@alqaws.org

2nd alQaws Study Day for Palestinian Psychologists and Therapists Held in Nazareth

Sat, 02 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0200

On March 18th, alQaws and the Arab Psychological Association conducted a second Study Day on “Sexual and Gender Dimensions in Therapy.” This year's program explored the particularities of LGBTQ experiences in Palestinian society, how these experiences are shaped through personal, familial and social interactions, as well as how these experiences are reflected in therapy and by therapists. Several lectures and workshops conducted throughout the day aimed to shed the light on the personal attitudes and knowledge of these issues among Palestinian therapists and the impact on therapy.

The event, which took place in Nazareth, was attended by dozens health sector professionals, therapists, and educational counselors from all over Palestine.

These periodic study days are an advocacy project of alQaws’ Therapists Advocacy Group and part of a broader initiative to engage Palestinian therapists and psychologists on issues related to sexuality, sexual identity/orientation and gender, as well as their differing dimensions and impacts in the therapeutic context.

April Hawamesh Session: Models of Masculinity in Palestinian Cinema

Sat, 02 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Wednesday, April 6th, at 7pm, Al-Mahatta, Haifa

The upcoming Hawamesh will focus on presenting various perceptions of masculinity in Palestinian cinema. The meeting will offer some analysis of models of men and masculinity in Palestinian film, as well as the influence of political events on these perceptions. Salah Dabah, a Palestinian cinema researcher, will lead the discussion with examples from Palestinian film. He will offer an overview of the ways in which masculinity is reflected in Palestinian cinema, discuss cinematic methods of reinforcing masculinity on screen, and present alternative cinematography seeking to challenge mainstream conceptions of masculinity.

For the Facebook event, click here (Arabic Only).

“Hawamesh” (which means "margins" in Arabic), is a Haifa-based bi-monthly discussion forum about issues related to sexual and gender diversity in Palestinian society. Hawamesh aims to fill a void in the mainstream discourse - including the rhetoric of local queer organizing and sexuality activism - in order to disrupt and broaden its domain. In addition Hawamesh aims to reframe topics that were traditionally considered internal discussions exclusive to the LGBT community into a broader, more connected, and more relevant social and political context.

Palestinian Queer Party

Wed, 30 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Palestinian Queer Party
Friday 15.4.2016
17:00 - 23:00
Comfort 13 Club
Comfort 13 st. Yaffa

Arabic Dance Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba
Palestinian Drag Shows, and more...

Tickets
Until 20:00: 30 NIS
After 20:00: 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
IMPORTANT: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Second Study Day: Sexual and Gender Dimensions in Therapy

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0200

Friday, 18th of March, 2016, Nazareth (Program in Arabic Only)

alQaws and the Arab Psychological Association are pleased to invite you to our second Study Day, tilted “Sexual and Gender Dimensions in Therapy.” This year's program will explore the particularities of LGBTQ experiences in Palestinian society, and the ways it is shaped through personal, familial and social interactions, as well as its reflection in therapy and on therapists.
The second study day is an advocacy activity organized by alQaws’ Therapists Advocacy Group and is part of a broader initiative to engage Palestinian therapists and psychologists in issues related to sexuality, sexual identity/orientation and gender, as well as different dimensions and impacts in the therapeutic context.

To read the full program, in Arabic only, click here.

alQaws' Significant Accomplishments in 2015

Wed, 06 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws community is proud to share with you our main highlights and accomplishments from 2015. We are excited to close a very dynamic and fulfilling year, with success in sustaining and developing existing projects, developing strategies for important new initiatives, reaching out and engaging new target groups, and expanding our amazing communities and leadership across Palestine. As 2015 comes to an end, we look forward to welcoming 2016 with a new exciting 3-year strategic plan, which will help alQaws sustain its work and expand our impact. Our 2015 accomplishments and successes provide a strong base for our future work.

alQaws Queer Parties – Dates for 2016

Tue, 05 Jan 2016 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws queer parties are the most significant social gatherings for the Palestinian queer communities; we bring together old and new community members, activists, allies, and friends in a unique and special space to celebrate sexual and gender diversity in Palestine.

alQaws organizes eight queer parties each year in Yaffa, with Arabic bob music and local drag shows.

Dates for 2016:
2016\1\22
2016\3\4
2016\4\15
2016\6\3
2016\7\15
2016\8\26
2016\10\7
2016\11\18
2016\12\23
Hours: 17:00- 23:00

“Jadal” Publishes New Articles about “Sexual Politics in Palestine”

Thu, 10 Dec 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Our first academic school on sexual and gender diversity took place in December 2014. It engaged activists and academics, and was attended by 30 participants. In 2015, we composed and collected written materials produced by the participants. This resulted in a publication of a first set of articles published by Jadal (November 2015 issue), the journal of Mada al-Carmel, edited by Areen Hawari. To read more about this project, click here. The writers were part of the organizing/academic committee, as well as participants from the academic school. The articles' were framed under the school's title “Sexual Politics in the Colonial Context of Palestine” and included the following articles:

1) "Introduction: Sexual Politics in the Colonial Context of Palestine", by Areen Hawari (Issue's Editor)

2) "Beyond the Israeli Prison’s Rods: Between the “Sexual” and the “Political,” by Hadeel Badarni

3) "Hebrew University: The Intersect Between Colonialism and Gender", by Yara Sa’di

4) "Homosexuality and Equality Discourse: A Critical View on Gay Marriage," by Budour Hassan

5) "Individuals, Bodies, and Sexuality: Critical Lessons for the Future, Culled from the Palestinian Left’s Past," by alQaws activists

6) "The Image of the Homosexual in the Palestinian Conscious: A Historical Overview," by Ghaith Hillal and Haneen Maikey

This ongoing school and publication cycle will create a process on which to continually build knowledge and engage current discussions and concerns around gender and sexual diversity issues. To read the whole issue in Arabic click here

Palestinian Queer Party \ 4.12.2015

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Friday 11.9.2015
17:00 - 23:00
Comfort 13 Club
Comfort 13 st. Yaffa

Arabic Dance Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba

Tickets
17:00 - 20:00 30 NIS
20:00 - 23:00 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
Important: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Facebook Page

alQaws' Opinion Piece about the Documentary "Oriented"

Tue, 17 Nov 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Speaking as a Palestinian queer organization, we encourage Palestinian queers to share their personal stories and we work tirelessly to build a society that celebrates their diverse experiences. However, the discourse prompted by a recent documentary about Palestinian queer lives suggests a crucial need to share a critical perspective and to reframe some false assumptions the film may perpetuate.

The film in question, Oriented (Witzenfeld, 2015), recently debuted at multiple international film festivals. This story, about three gay Palestinian friends who live in Tel Aviv, has circulated throughout international media, promoting risky and false assumptions about queer Palestinians. This short statement is by no means a critique of individuals' lives, their lifestyles, or their personal choices; rather, it takes aim at the dangerous generalizations and misperceptions that the film, regardless of good intentions, may further.

alQaws Queer Parties: Remaining Dates for 2015

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws throws highly successful, well-attended Palestinian queer parties eight times yearly (since 2003). alQaws' Queer Parties regularly attract 350+ attendees from all over Palestine, with rich diversity of age, background, gender identity, sexual orientation, and more. Our parties create a unique and welcoming queer Palestinian space - and provide an opportunity for social networking, community-building, and open celebration of sexual and gender diversity through Arabic music, art shows, and topical awareness initiatives.

New Hawamesh Meeting “The Attack on LGBTs in Palestine: A Crises in Discourse, Or a Culture of Exclusion”

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0200

The upcoming Hawamesh is going to focus on the latest attack on LGBTs and homosexuality in Palestine which took place last June (Islamic movement leader statement against gay marriage, attack on LGBT rights supporters, rainbow drawing on the Apartheid Wall and more), and the unprecedented public discussion among civil society organizations, political parties, social movements, alongside the heated debates on social media. (Read here the support statement signed by 15 civil society organizations that was initiated by alQaws and allies. Arabic only).

New Youth Group in Yaffa "Me, My Sexuality, and Society: Knowledge and Impact”

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws is pleased to announce the opening of our 5th youth group for participants from Yaffa, Lod/Ramleh and the Triangle area, starting at the end of October 2015. The youth groups, titled "Me, My Sexuality, and Society: Knowledge and Impact” are a safe space to examine aspects of gender and sexuality, and to voice and discuss personal opinions related to sexuality. Previous groups took place during the last two years in Ramallah, Yaffa and Haifa with 15 participants in each group.

Palestinian Queer Party \ 11.9.2015

Wed, 09 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Friday 11.9.2015
17:00 - 23:00
Comfort 13 Club
Comfort 13 st. Yaffa

Arabic Dance Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba

Tickets
17:00 - 20:00 30 NIS
20:00 - 23:00 40 NIS

Entrance for 18+ years
Important: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Palestinian Queer Party - Friday 5.6.2015

Wed, 27 May 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Friday 13.3.2015
17:00 - 23:00
Comfort 13 Club
Comfort 13 st. Yaffa

Arabic Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba

HAPPY HOUR 18:00 - 19:00
Free chaser for every drink!
Tickets
17:00 - 20:00 30 NIS
20:00 - 23:00 40 NIS

Facebook Event

Entrance for 18+ years
Important: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Palestinian Queer Party - Friday 1.5.2015

Sun, 19 Apr 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Friday 13.3.2015
17:00 - 23:00
Comfort 13 Club
Comfort 13 st. Yaffa

Arabic Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba

HAPPY HOUR 18:00 - 19:00
Free chaser for every drink!
Tickets
17:00 - 20:00 30 NIS
20:00 - 23:00 40 NIS

Facebook Event

Entrance for 18+ years
Important: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Study Day \ Sexual and Gender Dimensions in Therapy

Sun, 22 Mar 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Friday, 27th of March, 2015, Nazareth

alQaws in partnership with the Arab Psychological Association are pleased to invite you to a first of its kind study day, tilted “Sexual and Gender Dimensions in Therapy.” This study day is the first public action of alQaws’s Therapists Group, and part of a broader initiative and effort to engage Palestinian therapists and psychologists in issues related to sexuality, sexual identity/orientation and gender, and their different dimensions and impacts in therapy. Full program (Arabic)

alQaws Takes Part in Israeli Apartheid Week Activities in London

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws Takes Part in Israeli Apartheid Week Activities in London
alQaws activists took part in several “Israeli Apartheid Week” activities, organized by Palestine Society and LGBT groups in London universities, including SOAS, Goldsmiths and London School of Economics and Political Science. These events focused on “Pinkwashing”, an Israeli government PR campaign and propaganda tool, that uses gay rights to divert attention from its crimes and abuses against the Palestinian people.

alQaws' Opens Therapists' Group Second Year

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws started the second year of the therapists group with 20 therapists and psychologists with different expertise and approaches.

The therapists’ group relies on peer-to-peer learning, to explore issues related to sexuality, sexual identity and gender, and their dimensions and presence in therapy. The group aims to provide space for a learning process that translates knowledge into action, and allows participants to both explore and reflect on aspects of sexuality and gender in therapy.

The group also aspires to organize professional activities dedicated to the production and development of new intellectual, theoretical, and locally informed knowledge.

Palestinian Queer Party - Friday 13.3.2015

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Friday 13.3.2015
17:00 - 23:00
Comfort 13 Club
Comfort 13 st. Yaffa

Arabic Music
With DJ Sana & Hiba

HAPPY HOUR 18:00 - 19:00
Free chaser for every drink!
Tickets
17:00 - 20:00 30 NIS
20:00 - 23:00 40 NIS

Facebook Event

Entrance for 18+ years
Important: Smoking is prohibited at the party
and NO PICTURES POLICY
for more info: info@alqaws.org

Rapid Assessment on MSMs’ Knowledge, Attitudes & Sexual Practices

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws is pleased to launch, in partnership with UNDP/PAPP, a preliminary assessment of high-risk behaviors in men, with special focus on men having sex with men (MSMs) in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem.

The assessment, launched in February 2015, includes an initial exploratory rapid assessment that will provide preliminary and baseline data. Based on the findings of this assessment, a second larger scale phase may be undertaken to further explore participant’s knowledge about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and the attitudes and behaviours concerning healthy sexual practices among the target group.

alQaws' Therapists’ Advocacy Group Starts Its Second Year - Registration is Open

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws is pleased to announce open registration for the second year of its Therapists’ Advocacy Group, which will commence mid-February 2015.

The monthly meetings of therapists will focus on themes related to sexuality, sexual identity and gender, and their applications in therapeutic settings. Participants will actively explore and reflect on aspects of sexuality and gender dimensions in therapy, using their own training and experience as touchpoints for growth.. Moreover, the Therapists’ Advocacy Group will provide a platform for participants to create new professional initiatives, as well as a foundation for these professional experts to develop innovative and fresh theoretical and intellectual knowledge relating to sexual and gender dimensions in therapy.

First Hawamesh Event in 2015 - Wednesday February 3rd @ 19:00

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0200

First Hawamesh Event in 2015 - Tuesday February 3rd @ 19:00
Our inaugural Hawamesh event for 2015 will take place on Tuesday, February 3rd at alQaws office in Haifa.

Entitled “Do Local Anti-Pinkwashing Discourses Perpetuate Structures of ‘Homophobia’ by Presenting a Misleading Facade of Queer Realities in Palestine?”, the event will follow up on recent community conversations raising serious questions about the potential impact and unintended consequences of efforts and strategies to expose Israel’s use of gay rights to mask systematic disregard and violation of the human rights of Palestinians.

Thank You Darkmatter!

Mon, 26 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0200

Our deepest gratitude goes out to Darkmatter, trans South Asian activists in the United States and longtime friends to alQaws, for their tremendous efforts in organizing a successful solidarity fundraising campaign for alQaws.

The campaign, which involved an indiegogo campaign as well as a special Art and Activism event in New York City ended January 15th.

Over 188 indiegogo funders and over 100 attendees to the event collectively raised over $6400 (exceeding the organizers’ goal of $6,000: www.indiegogo.com).

al Qaws 2014 Accomplishments

Sun, 04 Jan 2015 00:00:00 +0200

In an attempt to summarize a full and dynamic year, alQaws activists, leadership and staff community, are proud to share the main accomplishments and highlights we had in 2014.

We consider last year a year of leap in visibility inside LGBTQ communities, civil society organizations and across different geographical areas. While there are still much to do in this regard, we felt by the below initiatives and projects we were able to lay down a strong base of the future work that we are excited to start.

Here are some of our highlights in 2014:

AlKhat's Fourth Year: Listening and Information Hotline Shows Increasing, Record Community Access

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0200

AlKhat ends its fourth year with a team of 15 volunteers, 105 shifts, and more than 200 queries via the telephone hotline and the online chat platform at www.alkhat.org. In addition, alQaws reached to new populations, particularly women, transpersons and youth. alQaws also trained a new team of volunteers during its fourth training course, which took place in Jerusalem and resulted in building a Jerusalem-based volunteer corps. alQaws’ professional staff also provided ongoing supervision and assistance to volunteers in order to ensure they had the tools and resources to best fulfill their role.

The volunteer team includes people of different professions and experiences. Yet they are united in purpose – and in the willingness to listen to people in need. AlKhat offers a platform for community members to reach out for assistance, support or information on sexuality and gender-related concerns. They can discuss the impact on their thoughts, feelings and relations with friends, family and coworkers.

AlKhat also serves as a resource to friends, family, coworkers or others with questions about issues of gender and sexuality.

Finally, alKhat serves the general public as a key resource for information about the field. As necessary, alQaws offers help, connect callers with relevant professionals, and follows up and mediates between the callers and relevant service providers.

Privacy is assured in using alKhat. Callers/chatters may remain completely anonymous, revealing only those details they choose to disclose during the session. AlKhat volunteers are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of each alKhat chat or call, refraining from sharing any information outside the alKhat platform.
AlKhat operates twice weekly, on Sundays and Wednesdays between 17:00 and 21:00. AlKhat can be accessed via phone at 0722220202 or via chat at www.alKhat.org.

alQaws Queer Parties – Dates for 2015

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0200

For the past decade, alQaws has organized 8 queer parties each year in Yaffa, including Arabic bob music and local drag shows. alQaws parties are the most significant social gatherings for the Palestinian queer community; we bring together old and new community members, activists, allies, and friends in a unique and special space to celebrate sexual and gender diversity in Palestine.

Dates for 2015:
23/1/2015
13/3/2015
1/5/2015
5/6/2015
24/7/2015
11/9/2015
30/10/2015
4/12/2015

alQaws Youth Groups in Ramallah and Haifa

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0200

In 2014, alQaws organized 2 long-term youth groups with over 20 participants. The youth groups, entitled "Me, My Sexuality, and Society: Knowledge and Impact” are a safe space to examine aspects of gender and sexuality, and to voice and discuss personal opinions related to sexuality. The first group took place in Ramallah between April and July. The second group started in Haifa in October and is due to continue through February 2015.

Collaboration and Capacity-Building: Developing Support among Palestinian Civil Society Organizations

Tue, 30 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0200

This year, based on recommendations of alQaws' “Palestinian Civil Society Organizations’ Attitudes on Sexual and Bodily Rights” field study, alQaws began strengthening its connections to other Palestinian civil society organizations. alQaws’ networking meetings built active partnerships and substantially increased the proportion of Palestinian society actively concerned with issues of sexuality and sexual and gender diversity. During this period, alQaws succeeded in establishing connections with more than thirty Palestinian community-based organizations (including youth, feminist, and human rights organizations). These partnerships enjoy wide geographical representation, as these civil society organizations are located throughout Palestine, including north and central in the Palestinian 48' areas and the West Bank.

“Hawamesh” - Monthly discussion forum about issues related to sexual and gender diversity in Palestinian society

Mon, 29 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0200

“Hawamesh” is an important project successfully developed and established by alQaws in Haifa in 2014. “Hawamesh” (which means "margins" in Arabic), is a Haifa-based monthly discussion forum about issues related to sexual and gender diversity in Palestinian society. Hawamesh aims to fill a void in the mainstream discourse - including the rhetoric of local queer organizing and sexuality activism - in order to disrupt and broaden its domain.
Hawamesh successfully organized eight intellectual discussion forums, reaching over 150 activists and academics, as well as others interested in broadening their knowledge relating to sexual and gender diversity. Hawamesh gatherings generally took place at alQaws’ Haifa office, although Hawamesh sessions were also organized in collaboration with Almahata, the Palestinian Youth Cooperative in Haifa.
Some topics addressed in Hawamesh sessions included:

Queer/Anti-Colonial Struggle from the US to Palestine

Tue, 02 Dec 2014 00:00:00 +0200

Evening of solidarity, art, politics, and community, featuring alQaws director Haneen Maikey and Audre Lorde project director, Cara Page.

A talk by Haneen Maikey from alQaws, the Queer Palestinian Activist Collective followed by US based activists Cara Page and Che Gossett to learn more about Queer Freedom Organizing Outside of Racist and Colonial Logics.

Panel featuring:
Haneen Maikey (al Qaws, Palestine)
Cara Page (Audre Lorde Project, NYC)
Che Gossett (Barnard Center for Research on Women, NYC)
Moderated by Malcolm Shanks

Queer Anti-Colonial Struggle: From The US To Palestine

Tue, 18 Nov 2014 00:00:00 +0200

Monday, November 24th at 7:30 pm

14 FL | 224 West 29th Street
New York City

alQaws friends and the Darkmatter will be hosting an evening of solidarity, art, politics, and community, featuring alQaws director Haneen Maikey and Audre Lorde project director, Cara Page.

Join us to hear a talk by Haneen Maikey from alQaws, the Queer Palestinian Activist Collective followed by US based activists Cara Page and Che Gossett to learn more about Queer Freedom Organizing Outside of Racist and Colonial Logics.

Facebook Event

Queer Literature in Arabic and Palestinian Literary Texts

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0200

Queer Literature in Arabic and Palestinian Literary Texts, is the title of the new "Hawamesh" event, hosted by Almahata – Palestinian Youth Cooperative in Haifa. "Hawamesh" is honored to host a special poetry book launch by our friend Housni Shehada, "Sharqi el Monada," in an evening of poetry readings and discussions about queer literature.

The discussion will take place on Thursday, 30th of October 2014 at 19:00 at Almahata, 55 Yaffa Street, Haifa.
“Hawamesh” (Arabic for ‘Margins’) – alQaws’ Haifa based monthly discussion forum about issues related to sexual and gender diversity in Palestinian society addresses a diverse array of issues related to sexuality and gender while giving a public space to activists and those interested to take part in a vibrant and open dialogue.

To Facebook event

Sexual Politics in the Colonial Context of Palestine \\ December 18-20, 2014

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society is pleased to announce the new dates of the first ever academic school for sexual and gender diversity in Palestine titled:

Sexual Politics in the Colonial Context of Palestine
December 18-20, 2014 - Palestine

With this initiative we aim to develop a deeper understanding of terminology of sexual and gender differences as well as arrive at appropriate definitions that relate to the particularities of Palestinian society. Within as space built on a diversity of viewpoints, ideas and backgrounds we will discuss the following themes:

alQaws September Newsletter

Sun, 28 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0200

- The Haifa based discussion forum "Hawamesh (The Arabic for ‘Margins’)" is planed to take place this Tuesday, 30/9, 7 PM, at alQaws office in Haifa

- Esmail Nashif's new lecture "The Journey of Discovering Eden" is online now on alQaws website

- Read alQaws Statement regarding the media response to Israel's blackmailing of gay Palestinians

- "My Sexuality and Society: Knowledge & Impact": a new weekly youth group will start on October 13th, in Haifa

alQaws Statement re: media response to Israel's blackmailing of gay Palestinians

Fri, 19 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0200

We write in response to a couple of articles published in the past week in western media, such as "Israel surveils and blackmails gay Palestinians to make them informants" (Mondoweiss),or Corey Robin’s recent post, "Forget Pinkwashing; Israel Has a Lavender Scare." Both pieces were written in response to the recent spate of articles, like the ones published in The New York Times and The Guardian, detailing IDF Unit 8200 veterans’ refusal of reserve duty due to their rejection of Israel’s surveillance and blackmail of Palestinians. We are concerned by the way that these responses single out sexuality in general, and homosexuality in particular, as the main and most troubling aspect of Israeli intelligence and surveillance recruitment practices. Although the responses cite many different vulnerabilities Palestinians face—including lack of medical care—that Israeli “security” forces exploit in order to recruit Palestinian informants, these articles neglect these equally significant vulnerabilities and zero in on (homo)sexuality.

Don’t single out (homo)sexuality in response to Israel blackmail revelations, Palestinians say

Fri, 19 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0200

Last week, 43 reservists affiliated with the Israeli army’s “Unit 8200” – an electronic espionage operation – issued a public letter decrying Israel’s latest attack on Gaza and which states that they would not take part in Israel’s oppression of millions of Palestinians living under occupation.

What generated particular outrage was the letter-writers’ revelation that Unit 8200 eavesdrops on Palestinians in order to use personal information to coerce them into collaboration with Israel.

alQaws launches revamped website with new content and design

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 00:00:00 +0200

alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society proudly announces the launch of our revamped website, which introduces new Arabic and English content and design, and seeks outside feedback.

Our redesigned website is an innovative platform for expressing our vision and sharing our agenda, ongoing projects, and worldviews on sexual and gender diversity issues. The site provides outsiders with an additional access point to alQaws, allowing us to more comprehensively communicate our work’s local, cultural, and political contexts.

Social & Cultural Change

Sun, 31 Aug 2014 18:55:23 +0200

Our large scale social change efforts harness grassroots as well as institutional power to advance positive change in relation to gender and sexual issues amongst influential civil society institutions, youth and students, news media, and cultural organizations. These initiatives provide Palestinian society with the space to engage in a responsible public debate, aiming to break prejudices, combat violence, and challenge the dominance of heteronormative notions of sexual identity, homosexual orientations, and gender. These projects aspire to raise awareness and build active partnerships amongst diverse groups in society, and to provide innovative, accessible, and engaging tools and methods to address gender and sexual diversity issues. We create multi-media and music projects, conduct educational trainings and networking events with civil society organizations, and hold an academic summer school program on sexual and gender diversity.

Engaging Civil Society with Professional Training
Out of an in-depth field research we conducted on civil society institutions working in Palestinian society, we developed a strategy for aligning civil society institutions and NGO staff members of human rights, feminist, and health organizations with alQaws’ vision of a society-wide embrace of gender and sexual diversity. Our civil society training and partnership initiative continues to expand, and we now train organizational staff, activists, high school teachers, and more, preparing them to work with groups on issues of sexual and gender diversity. In the trainings (which vary in length according to organizational needs), organizational members acquire basic analytic tools and group facilitation skills, as well as build their knowledge in issues of sexual and gender diversity.

Professional Advocacy Groups
The creative cultivation of professional advocacy groups became a major focus for alQaws when we created our strategic plan for 2016-2018. In this strategy, we focus on a problem in a professional sector (such as human rights NGOs, schools and universities, therapy and counseling, news media, etc.), and carefully explore opportunities for change within leading institutions through fieldwork, interviews, and research. The exploration stage helps us focus on a narrow set of the most promising and willing partners for training and education on gender and sexual diversity. Using tools relevant to the professional field (such as trainings, peer groups, or collaborations), alQaws facilitates actions that make incremental progress toward small and large goals, such as creating large-scale institutional change. For our therapists’ advocacy groups, we aim to create a friendly therapists list so that these services are available to LGBTQ individuals who come to us in need, yet we also aim for these therapists to continue this progress through peer advocacy initiatives (in this case, therapists organized a National Study Day) that have the potential to shape their professional field at large. In our new initiative to shift local media coverage on sexual and gender diversity issues, the tools and goals may differ, but the strategy to transform a professional field is basically the same—identifying opportunities, establishing partners, peer advocacy and networking, and building a movement.

Sparking Intellectual Debate
We organize and curate lectures and discussions in public cafes, on university campuses, and in international and online journals on gender and sexual diversity issues in our society. Our now bi-annual Sexual and Gender Diversity Academic School brings together a wide group of academics and students for three days around the theme of Sexual Politics in the Colonial Context of Palestine, which we then develop into publications the following year. With these intellectual initiatives, we further promote a relevant and constructive public discourse on gender and sexual diversity that is based on the actual experiences of the Palestinian LGBTQ community. Our Academic School allows us to capitalize on and foster academia as a safe sphere to discuss controversial issues like sexual and gender diversity, helping to combat the tendency in social and intellectual discussion to frame oppressive structures and negative perceptions around these issues as “unique” to Palestinian society.

Transforming Local Media
In our two-year field research study, titled “Attitudes & Trends among Palestinian Media,” we developed a full picture of the local media’s past and current role in addressing sexual and gender diversity issues, and the opportunities for us to intervene. Moving forward, we will advocate among professional Palestinian journalists and media agencies to fundamentally shift their approach to gender and sexual diversity issues, encouraging positive coverage and thoughtful debate of otherwise taboo or maligned topics, such as homosexuality, violence targeting gender and sexual minorities, women’s sexuality, and more. Current initiatives directly expose media professionals to a local discourse on sexuality, seek to build trust and understanding with prominent journalists, and lay the foundation for partnerships that we believe will radically re-shape the local media’s approach to gender and sexual diversity.

Cultural and media production
alQaws highly values creating its own cultural and media production as a means to fundamentally impact social discourse and culture at large. We mobilize local artistic resources to produce original artistic projects that engage gender and sexual diversity in variously alternative, creative, and accessible ways. Our first-of-its-kind multi-media project, Ghanni A’an Ta’arif / “Singing Sexuality” (www.ghanni.net), engages youth and students on issues of gender and sexuality diversity, identity, political engagement, and society. This initiative began as a massive collaborative artist and activist production, including our first full album of original songs, a live album release concert, and the creation of an interactive online multimedia platform. Moving forward, we will continue to partner with influential local media organizations to mobilize other local artistic and cultural resources to produce new original media pieces (like animations, illustrations, video campaigns, and more), aiming to broadcast LGBT and sexual and gender diversity issues by targeting a new generation of tech-savvy Palestinian youth.

The Journey of Discovering Eden

Wed, 27 Aug 2014 00:00:00 +0200

The Journey of Discovering Eden: A new lecture by Ismail Nashif as part of alQaws' Haifa based initiative "Hawamesh" (Margins) – a monthly intellectual space about issues related to sexual and gender diversity in Palestine. The lecture aims to explore the current concept of the Palestinian City and its different spaces - and the place/status of different groups in it - beyond the notion of the "modern city", which is part of the colonial legacy. The liberation from colonialism starts with the liberation from the "modern city" as the Palestinian utopia. (The lecture is in Arabic)

Community-Building

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 12:04:38 +0200

alQaws knows that community work on issues of sexual and gender diversity cannot develop without the integration of the groups who are most vulnerable to gender and sexual oppression. We continuously work to build up local and national leadership, especially amongst youth, to increase their awareness, influence, mandate, and social resilience. alQaws provides space, including community centers like our West Bank Community Center in Ramallah, for the development of strong, proactive, and politically aware communities of individuals who live and celebrate all layers of their identity. Across the areas where we work (in four hubs: Haifa in the North, East Jerusalem, Jaffa in the Center, and Ramallah in the West Bank), we run programs that provide rare creative, critical, and celebratory spaces in the domain of sexual and gender diversity:

West Bank Community Center
Our West Bank Community Center in Ramallah is not only a working space for our activists in the area, it is also a vital hub for all our West Bank outreach, networking, and leadership work, as well as a vibrant space for cultural and social events. The Center continues our efforts to institutionalize our activism and work in the West Bank, and we are seeing ever-increasing signs that our work is being recognized as necessary, important, and desired.

At the Community Center, we hold activist groups and outreach programs, meet with new members from the Ramallah area, while conducting monthly outreach meetings in Nablus, Bethlehem, and more remote areas. We also program regular leadership-building trainings, film screenings, Hawamesh Ramallah (intellectual monthly discussions built on the successful Hawamesh model in Haifa); cultural events like BBQs, hiking, and more; and listening sessions for activists to share stories and challenges.

Local & National LQBTQ Leadership
Building strong, diverse, confident, active LGBTQ communities is critical to our progress toward shifting our society’s approach to sexual and gender diversity. We run regular local leadership-building platforms in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Yaffa, and Haifa, as well as large activist annual retreats that build alQaws’ national leadership. Our leadership outreach focuses on engaging influential and marginalized individuals in our communities (such as youth, women, and trans*) so that we have a dynamic and accountable leadership.

Youth & Student Groups
We run youth groups focused on understanding and discussing sexuality and associated issues in relation to the individual, the family and community, and broader society and political and social change. Youth and student groups take place in rotating areas, such as East Jerusalem, Haifa, and Yaffa, bringing together youth from city hubs, as well as more remote areas. Groups are facilitated by an alQaws coordinator, and we created a new training guide that will allow us to train new coordinators and expand our groups even further. Our youth groups are frequently a first point of contact with youth who were previously unaware of our work, and many youth attend other activities or take on active roles within alQaws after their groups end.

Hawamesh Intellectual Discussion Series
We began our Hawamesh ("margins" in Arabic) monthly discussion forum in 2014 in Haifa, a hub for civil society organizations and influential cultural leaders in our society. Held at our office or in a popular Haifa café run by Almahata, Palestinian Youth Cooperative, Hawamesh quickly became widely popular with an engaged and diverse audience. True to its name, Hawamesh takes on topics widely seen as belonging to the margins of mainstream Palestinian culture, such as LGBTQ issues, and puts them in the center stage. In this way, Hawamish aims to fill a void in mainstream discourse by connecting topics traditionally considered insider issues exclusive to the LGBT community to a broadly relevant social and political context. Our monthly series now runs in both Haifa and Ramallah at our West Bank Community Center, reaching hundreds of activists and academics, as well as many other LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ individuals interested in broadening their knowledge about sexual and gender issues in our society.

Queer Community Parties
We recently expanded this longstanding and incredibly popular social event—the largest gathering for LGBTQ Palestinians. Our monthly parties are now more than ever a platform for outreach and education, since, in 2016, we created educational materials and performances on sexual harassment, consent, and personal space. Parties reach several hundred participants each, with increased women’s and trans*’ participation after concerted outreach and promotion. We developed a social media plan for increasing alQaws’ visibility online, including in social media and through our website, and published thought-provoking visuals through every party that attracted a lot of attention online and offline. Our parties are a celebratory and safe space, but increasingly also a space to begin critical reflection or take the first steps to becoming alQaws activists and leaders.

Support & Counseling

Tue, 22 Jul 2014 12:04:26 +0200

alQaws fills a major gap in our society’s health services by providing basic counseling services (both peer-to-peer and professional support) that focus on sexual orientation, sexuality, and gender identity issues. alQaws’ support hotline and gender and sexual diversity-friendly professional counseling provide responsive and friendly support services for LGBTs, people with non-conforming sexual and gender identities and practices, and anyone who needs this type of support. Under this field, alQaws operates three main projects:

National Hotline – AlKhat: Listening and Information
Alkhat is a volunteer-run resource and support “hotline” (an online chat platform and phone number) for individuals and the general community to privately and safely reach out for support or information related to sexuality and LGBT and gender identity. AlKhat operates twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays between 17:00 – 21:00, via phone at 072-222-0202 or chat support at www.alkhat.org

Finding a safe space for Palestinian queer activism

Thu, 17 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0200

JERUSALEM (Ma'an) -- In 2008, Laila was a recent college graduate and committed anti-occupation activist in her hometown of Nablus. But there was one issue her groups could not adequately address: her sexuality.

“I started testing the waters, looking at what organizations are out there, what’s the discourse,” said Laila last month in Nablus.

She researched the Haifa-based lesbian group Aswat, but that organization is more attentive to Palestinians within Israel and inaccessible to West Bank residents like Laila.

Palestinian Civil Society Demands Urgent Action on Gaza

Tue, 15 Jul 2014 00:00:00 +0200

Since Israel launched its military offensive dubbed “Operation Protective Edge” on 8 July 2014, over 175 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, 80% of whom the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) report to be civilians, and over 1,280 injured. The victims have included entire families, women, children and the elderly. Israel has launched over 1,500 air strikes in the past seven days, deliberately targeting homes and other civilian facilities and fired dozens of shells at Palestinian communities located near the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel and along the coast; approximately 900 houses have so far been destroyed. In a further escalation of events, Israel has bombed a number of houses without any prior warning whilst civilians have been inside, dramatically raising the death toll and the number of casualties. Targets bombed by the military where civilians have been present have included a café, an emergency medical building, a facility for the disabled, three ambulances and a clearly marked media car. Schools, mosques, an ambulance centre, NGO offices, fishing boats and a hospital have also been struck.

Liberation in Palestine, A Queer Issue - Haneen Maikey

Fri, 28 Feb 2014 00:00:00 +0200

Haneen Maikey's talk for LGBT History Month and Israeli Apartheid Week.

In Solidarity Against India’s “Section 377”

Thu, 12 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0200

The Coalition for Sexual and Bodily Rights in Muslim Societies (CSBR) is deeply disappointed with the December 11 ruling of the Indian Supreme Court reversing the 2009 Delhi High Court verdict that recognized same sex relationships between consenting adults to be outside the purview of Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code.

This section criminalizes sexual acts “against the order of nature,” and has been used in the past to discriminate against those with non-conforming genders and sexualities. In dismissing the premise of the 2009 verdict and declaring it as “legally unsustainable,” the Supreme Court has contributed to the erasure of over two decades of organizing in India for the freedom of sexual and gender expression and protection from harassment and abuse on grounds of sexual difference.

Pro-BDS Columbia prof’s gathering with anti-BDS J Street and Zionist LGBT groups stirs controversy

Wed, 04 Dec 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Katherine Franke, the Columbia University law professor who has endorsed the academic boycott of Israel and the Palestinian civil society call for boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS), has stirred controversy by convening a meeting in New York today with representatives of anti-BDS and Zionist LGBT organizations including J Street.

Haneen Maikey, director of Al Qaws for Gender and Sexual Diversity in Palestine, has strongly criticized the meeting and pulled out of another Columbia event organized by Franke in protest.

Eight questions Palestinian queers are tired of hearing

Wed, 27 Nov 2013 00:00:00 +0200

You might think that the main goal of a group of queer activists in Palestine like us in Al-Qaws should be the seemingly endless task of dismantling sexual and gender hierarchy in one’s own society.

It is. But you might think otherwise, judging from the repetitive questions we get during our lectures and events, or from inquiries we receive from media and other international organizations.

We intend to end this once and for all. Educating people about their own privilege is not our burden. But before we announce our formal retirement from this task, here are the eight most frequent questions we get, and their definitive answers.

Rabih Alameddine and Haneen Maikey - Keynote from the Homonationalism and Pinkwashing Conference

Fri, 19 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Rabih Alameddine's and Haneen Maikey's keynotes from CLAGS' conference Homonationalism and Pinkwashing at The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York City, April 10-11, 2013.

For more information about the conference, see the conference website: http://www.homonationalism.org. For more information about CLAGS, see our website: http://www.clags.org.

Rabih Alameddine is a painter and novelist and author of Kool Aids: the Art of War (1998) a novel about an HIV positive gay man written against the backdrop of the Lebanese Civil War. Other fiction include The Perv (1999), I, The Divine (2001), The Hakawati (2008). A Guggenheim Fellow, his books are widely read in English, French and Arabic, especially in his naive Lebanon. Amy Tan called him "a writer of conscience, of self-consciousness, of subconsciouness, of the great big global unconscious. Within his stories are provocative ideas, housed in fractured narratives, splendid images, daring language—and simply great storytelling. What some might call disjointed narratives, I think of as the way our perceptions of time and space actually unfurl themselves: not linearly, but in a revelatory sense." Read more about Rabih Alameddine on his website: http://rabihalameddine.com/

Though small, Palestine’s queer movement has big vision

Fri, 12 Jul 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Although quite young and small, the Palestinian queer movement is far from homogeneous. It includes numerous groups of diverse, dynamic and nimble activists who, within the framework of the wider social justice and national liberation struggle, seek to raise awareness about issues considered taboo in their society.

There were no documented or known gay, lesbian or transgender groups in Palestine before the second intifada.

That changed in 2001, when Palestinian queers from the occupied West Bank and present-day Israel started to convene in the Jerusalem Open House, an Israeli initiative that primarily offered Palestinians a space for expression and interaction, and served as an umbrella organization in terms of securing funds and international outreach. The following year, the group Aswat: Palestinian Gay Women was founded as part of an independent project within the Palestinian feminist organization Kayan in Haifa.

“Ghanni A`an Taa`rif”

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Multimedia Project Tackles LGBT Rights in Palestine

Fri, 24 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200

JERUSALEM, May 24 2013 (IPS) - Public discussions about sexuality and gender diversity are difficult to start in many places. But a new multimedia project that is garnering buzz in Palestine aims to reverse this trend and open up dialogue within Palestinian society around these historically taboo issues.

“We want to start an honest conversation that can also raise…limitations and tough questions,” explained Haneen Maikey, director of the Jerusalem-based Al Qaws Centre for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian society. “It’s not to be accepted, but rather to bring the society to a safe place that we can discuss these issues.”

al-Qaseda ashirra (The evil poem)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Album: Ghanni 3an Ta3rif
Lyrics: Nizar Kabani
Composed by: Jame3 Taksir
Perform by: Hassan Nakhlah

The evil poem
Rain..Rain..
Her girlfriend with her, and October’s lamentation
And the door’s joints moaning
And in it the key has gone wild
There’s something between the two of them
Only me and the lamp know about
It’s a love story
That shouldn’t be told
In love
Clarification dies

Ana 7urra B7ali (I am free)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Album: Ghanni 3an Ta3rif
Lyrics: Rimon Haddad and Mai Abadi
Composed by: Rimon Haddad
Perform by: Maisa Daw

I am free
In this song the phrase “You are yourself and I am myself, I am like you”, it has two meanings, first would be the actual clear one, which is that we are alike, and the second is that “you are yourself and I am gay, and we are alike”, this is because the equivalent word to alike in Arabic also means homosexual.

B7ebbik (I love you)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Album: Ghanni 3an Ta3rif
Lyrics: Mohamad Halim
Composed by: Jame3 Taksir
Perform by: Rola Azzar

I love you
I love you, she said, and my love for you cannot be measured
The waves were shy
And on the wall fell a star and lit up Akka's lighthouse
I love you, may god bless…
That smile
Which liberates prisoners and excites rebels

Ji2eto Ela Ahli (I came to my family)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Album: Ghanni 3an Ta3rif
Lyrics: Jowan Safadi
Composed by: Jowan Safadi
Perform by: Jowan Safadi and Haya Zaatry

--------------------

I came to my family
I came to my family
But they didn’t accept me
I knocked on the door
But no one opened …
Goodbye bride of the sea, I'm going back to the lion well (Beer Sheva)
I took off my mask,
they didn’t recognize me
I tried my best,
they didn’t believe me
I came to my family
But they didn’t accept me
I knocked on the door but no one opened
Goodbye bride of the sea, I'm going back to the lion well (Beer Sheva)
Goodbye bride of the sea Goodbye bride of the sea,
Goodbye bride of the sea, I'm going back to the lion well (Beer Sheva)

Manakir (Nail Polish)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Album: Ghanni 3an Ta3rif
Lyrics: Haya Zaatry
Composed by: Haya Zaatry
Perform by: Haya Zaatry

Manakir – Nail Polish
We wake up early in the morning
We put on blush and nail polish
Searching for a meaning
Rules that need to be broken
And we say that God is mighty (Allah kbeer)
We complain, but no one listens
I feel like I am…
Moving on my own
In a traffic jam, that’s suffocating my imagination
Fake masks walking in the streets
Arrows pointing the direction, but my way
Is in the other side
Oh girl, your words are dangerous
Keep your secret hidden (in a well)
Don’t let anyone hear us
You don’t know what could happen
It is no longer clear
Whose with us and whose against us
I feel like I am…
Moving on my own
In a traffic jam, that’s suffocating my imagination
Fake masks walking in the streets
Arrows pointing the direction, but my way
Is in the other side

Qina3 Jdeed (New Mask)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Album: Ghanni 3an Ta3rif
Lyrics: Jowan Safadi
Composed by: Jowan Safadi
Perform by: Jowan Safadi

New Mask
I think I'm landing
and no one
is standing there for me
I don't really recognize
any of the faces I see
From this corner
you all look
a little bit too strange
I can't change
the way you feel
and I will never change
I gotta find a new mask
to conceal my disease
I think that I am perfect now
or this is the best I can
Despite all my deep shit
I'm a surviving man
In the closet I'm trying on
another kind of skirt
Something longer
Something darker
To cover up my dirt
I gotta find a new mask
to conceal my disease

----------------

Thalath Qasa2id (Three Poems)

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Album: Ghanni 3an Ta3rif
Lyrics: Shahd Issawi
Composed by: Abu Rabus
Perform by: Riyad Sliman

Three Poems
Once upon a time, before the age of man, before love and faith
Creatures more grand than demons, with two faces and two genitals, and a body round like a whale
They had no backs, like two lovers with animosity in their dance
With four legs and four arms, fast as arrows
Three were their sexes, male, female and a mixture of the two is called muse (Ilham)
From perfection the earth created them, with no faults or defects
They were content with themselves, in their strength they were proud to the heights they would shout, cursing their gods
Their hearts filled with pride, and they thought themselves superior to the stars of the sky
Till the gods of the earth, sky, sea and desert gathered to decide their fate
Flood, storms and rain was Ishtar’s judgment, Tammuz argued with her, judging fire as the better fate
I have no mercy for them, said the mighty Ashur, I will crush and control them with my hands
Then Ba’al shouted, it would be a loss to kill them, we hope for their worship, and here’s what he did, he brought rain and wind, lighting and ice, splitting their body into two, turning them into two sexes instead of three, one soul turned into two, one body became of two backs
Next came Isis to heal the wounds, made them unite, as a reminder of the disaster that had befallen them
Kisses and sex were not enough, their tries to unite failed
Till the return to perfection became impossible
So the soul shouted to its fellow soul in yearning, and the body to its fellow body in passion and desperation
And so man loved man, and woman loved woman, and in the ecstasy of the same sex’s union, the closest form of perfection was reached

ZumZum

Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 +0200

Album: Ghanni 3an Ta3rif
Lyrics: Muhamad Halim
Composed by: Jame3 Taksir
Perform by: Jame3 Taksir

Zumzum
Zumzum is a very cute and sweet child
He loves to dance… drawing and painting… and the neighbor Samahir
He says whatever he wants…and wears whatever he wants…earrings and bracelets
His mother laughs about it… his father frowned at him… and the neighbors say "Oh my god"

When he grew up a little and knew more of the world
He played the game of lies, which they call seriousness
Wrong and right… the appropriate and inappropriate… the forbidden and the musts
He worked, walking the path
He changed the way he looks… stopped laughing and stopped being free spirited

Signposts from alQaws: A Decade of Building a Queer Palestinian Discourse

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 00:00:00 +0200

The Palestinian organization alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society is a group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer (LGBTQ) activists who work collaboratively to break down gendered and heteronormative barriers. Based in Jerusalem, alQaws seeks to create an open space for all our members so that they may be engaged and energized in the struggle of transforming Palestinian society in regards to broad sexual and gender justice. This report focuses on key signposts of the changes that alQaws has experienced over the last decade in developing a large grassroots foundation. AlQaws is connected to our Palestinian reality and context, and it is a group that has played an influential political role in the queer scene on a local and even international level. Recently, unlike in the early years, we have been able to measure and observe this political role through various discernible changes. But before demonstrating these major signposts, I would like to share with you three criteria that alQaws has used in the last ten years as a compass for our work, for our success, and most importantly for dealing with the many challenges we face.

From Pinkwashing to Pinkwatching

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 00:00:00 +0200

One of alQaws’ major political activities over the last few years has been our effective response to the Israeli government’s PR campaign commonly known as ‘pinkwashing.’ This strategy, adopted by the Israeli state and the pro-Israel lobby, ais to distract American and European audiences from the illegal Israeli occupation and larger Apartheid policies, by promoting Israel as a progressive liberal state; a 'gay haven' in the midst of an oppressive and homophobic Palestinian society and Arab world. Members of alQaws have been especially active in drawing attention to the brutal Human Rights violations committed by the Israeli state against Palestinians, which ‘pinkwashing’ seeks to veil.

What is Queer BDS ? Pinkwashing, Intersections, Struggles, Politics (Angela Davis)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0200

PANEL ON “WHAT IS QUEER BDS? PINKWASHING, INTERSECTIONS, STRUGGLES, POLITICS.”

Speaker: Angela Davis (UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SANTA CRUZ, USA)

pinkwatchingisrael website

“What is Queer BDS? Pinkwashing, Intersections, Struggles, Politics” is 1 of 2 public panels organized by Queer Visions at the World Social Forum: Free Palestine. Held in Porto Alegre, Brazil from November 28 to December 1, 2012, the World Social Forum: Free Palestine brought together activists from around the world organizing for justice in Palestine. Palestinian Queers for Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions, Pinkwatching Israel, and alQaws: for sexual and gender diversity in Palestinian society invite activists, social movements, and queer groups to join and endorse Queer Visions at the World Social Forum: Free Palestine.

What is Queer BDS? Pinkwashing, Intersections, Struggles, Politics (Ramzy Kumesh)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0200

PANEL ON “WHAT IS QUEER BDS? PINKWASHING, INTERSECTIONS, STRUGGLES, POLITICS.”

Speaker: RAMZY KUMSIEH (PQBDS/QUEERISTAN, PALESTINE/THE NETHERLANDS)

pinkwatchingisrael website

What is Queer BDS? Pinkwashing, Intersections,Struggles, Politics (Natalie Kouri-Towe)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0200

PANEL ON “WHAT IS QUEER BDS? PINKWASHING, INTERSECTIONS, STRUGGLES, POLITICS.”

Speaker: Natalie Kouri-Towe (QUEERS AGAINST ISRAELI APARTHEID, CANADA)

pinkwatchingisrael website

What is Queer BDS? Pinkwashing, Intersections,Struggles, Politics (Sarah Colbrone)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0200

PANEL ON “WHAT IS QUEER BDS? PINKWASHING, INTERSECTIONS, STRUGGLES, POLITICS.”

Speaker: Sarah Colbrone (PALESTINE SOLIDARITY CAMPAIGN, UK)

pinkwatchingisrael website

What is Queer BDS? Pinkwashing, Intersections,Struggles, Politics (Selma al-Aswad)

Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 +0200

PANEL ON “WHAT IS QUEER BDS? PINKWASHING, INTERSECTIONS, STRUGGLES, POLITICS.”

Speaker: Selma al-Aswad (SEATTLE, USA)

pinkwatchingisrael website

Queers Resisting Zionism: On Authority and Accountability Beyond Homonationalism

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 00:00:00 +0200

[This article was written as a response to a recently published article by Maya Mikdashi and Jasbir Puar on the intersections and impasses between US centered pinkwashing and pinkwatching activism. Click here to read Mikdashi and Puar's rejoinder to this response. Clear here to read the original article by Mikdashi and Puar]

Jasbir Puar and Maya Mikdashi’s recent “Pinkwatching And Pinkwashing: Interpenetration and its Discontents” challenges those of us who work for Palestinian liberation to re-think our practices of solidarity and queer resistance. The authors suggest that pinkwatching, as a form of political activism, fails to be sufficiently radical. That is, pinkwatching fails to get at the roots of pinkwashing, which lie in settler colonialism, Islamophobia, and homonationalism. Pinkwatching therefore reproduces the discourses and dynamics that enable pinkwashing, thereby perpetuating it.

Leading LGBT activists, artists and cultural workers: oppose pinkwashing and support BDS

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0200

An open statement and petition is circulating by leading voices from the LGBTIQ communities demanding that queer individuals and allies join in solidarity with “Palestinians and progressive Israelis who are working to end the occupation, oppose the state of Israel’s practice of pinkwashing; and support efforts on the part of Palestinians to achieve full self-determination including building an international boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement.”

The statement — found online at www.queersolidaritywithpalestine.com — was written by participants of a recent LGBTIQ delegation to Palestine. It reads, in part:

Queer Politics & Haneen Maikey

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0200

The Paper spoke with Haneen Maikey, Director of Al-Qaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, a Palestinian grassroots queer political organisation working throughout Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. At a time when Israeli, U.S., and E.U. mainstream media groups publish stories about the presence of homosexuals in order to indicate economic growth, the process of strategizing how to mobilise queer politics outside the “homonationalism” sphere poses a daunting challenge. How do queer Palestinians, themselves under the perpetual threat of colonial oppression and violence, organise themselves and navigate a route by which they can engage with tactics of grouping and visibility, but in way that is necessarily distinct from traditional “gay-rights” approaches? Maikey, a Palestinian citizen of Jerusalem, discussed some of the ways these challenges are played out in the daily operations of Al-Qaws.

Palestinian Queer politics and the Israeli Occupation

Sat, 19 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0200

Palestinian Queer politics and the Israeli Occupation
By: Haneen Maikey

“Interfaith Dialogue:” Faith in the a-political at the expense of social justice

Mon, 07 Nov 2011 00:00:00 +0200

On Thursday November 3rd, an international coalition of 16 queer Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim groups and international allies issued a statement criticizing an “interfaith dialogue” trip organized by three French LGBT organizations – Beit Haverim, David and Jonathan, and HM2F “to show solidarity with local movements against homophobia”. Indeed, numerous queer Arab activists were deeply disturbed by the framework of this trip, whose organisers emphasized was “not political,” and this motivated the groups to quickly release a statement opposing it.
I first heard about the French delegation from Renee, a French Israeli tour guide who called to invite me to speak with the group. Renee had heard me speak several times and was aware of my politics and so felt it necessary to reiterate this point to me: “This is an apolitical trip.” I explained to her that the only condition on which I will speak is if I can speak about the political situation and tell them directly that an “apolitical” journey of this kind is impossible in our context.

Say No to World LGBT Youth Leadership Summit

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

Say No to World LGBT Youth Leadership Summit – Tel Aviv
Queers: Lead Revolutions, Do Not Support Occupation!

Thanks to the IGLYO Out of Israel campaign and the massive support it got, the International Gay and Lesbian Youth Organization (IGLYO) and Israeli Gay Youth (IGY) announced that they would no longer hold IGLYO’s General Assembly in Tel Aviv, Israel. This marks the very first victory for queer-powered BDS!

From the Belly of Arab Queer Activism: Challenges and Opportunities

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0200

Introduction

Lately, the murmurs of Arab LGBT activists have been rising against a “trend” whose critical discourse delves deeper into questions surrounding our organizational strategies as LGBT/queer movements in Arab societies, our relationship to the “West” and the hegemony of Western experiences in LGBT organizing, the suitability of our strategies to our social, cultural and political contexts, and the continuing challenges in building bridges between our thought and our on-ground practices. All these questions have been reduced to a discourse that apparently has one single concern and aim: to fight the West. The debate was further heated after activists published some of these ideas and experiences, in Arabic, particularly in Bekhsoos and Qadita.net’s Queeriyatcolumn.
The goal behind investing in writing our experiences of organizing in this field is to institutionalize and develop the continuing discourse at the local level. We do this not simply for educational purposes, but also because of our awareness of the importance of sharing local experiences, and opening the door for continuous debates on the local, regional and international levels. These discussions, we understand, rely mainly on processes of self-reflection (whether personal or collective), and on the ways we present differences in our understandings of queer and LGBT struggles. More importantly, they rely on how we perceive and practice our roles as queer and LGBT activists in our societies.

Resisting homophobia and occupation

Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0200

Haneen Maikey from the Palestinian queer group Al Qaws was in Amsterdam in June talking about their struggles for sexual emancipation and against the Israeli occupation. Alex de Jong spoke with her about being queer and Palestinan and the queer contribution to the Palestinian liberation movement for the Dutch newspaper Grenzeloos.

HM: I’m here to share my experience as a Palestinian queer activist. As a movement, we are often marginalized in the media – if somebody writes about queers in Palestine, it’s often dismissive about what we have to say ourselves. Instead, the focus is on our supposed victim-hood, not on our accomplishments. That is one of the reasons we feel its important to talk about our experiences in meetings like this one or a recent speaking tour I did in the United States. Al Qaws is a queer and LGBT grassroots group that focuses on answering people’s individual needs and creating a community where people can freely acknowledge all their identities, without having to choose between for example being queer or being Palestinian. For us, this is part of a larger vision of challenging and breaking the current sexual and gender hierarchies in Palestinian society.’

International Day Against Homophobia: Between the Western Experience and the Reality of Gay Communities

Mon, 23 May 2011 00:00:00 +0200

The 17th of May is the International Day against Homophobia, and it is being celebrated for the seventh consecutive year now. This initiative was started by a French gay activist in 2004: May 17 was chosen as a date after the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the international classification of diseases on the 17th of May 1993.

The word homophobia means the rational fear or hatred of homosexuality and homosexuals. The word comes from homo, meaning gay, and phobia, or fear, in Latin. This term also denotes prejudice and intolerance against homosexuals.

Palestinian queer activists challenge the ‘pinkwashing’ of the Israeli occupation

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 00:00:00 +0200

On February 16th, 2011 I attended a public forum entitled “Palestinian Queer Activists Talk Politics” in San Francisco’s Mission District. More than 20 groups including the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Jewish Voice for Peace and the Middle East Children’s Alliance sponsored the forum, moderated by lesbian Chicana activist and writer Cherríe Moraga. The discussion featured three speakers:

- Abeer Mansour works for Aswat, a feminist queer Palestinian women’s group dedicating to “generat[ing] social change in order to meet the needs of one of the most silenced and oppressed communities in Israel.

Writing Our Media

Sat, 02 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0200

In January 2010, alQaws launched its first writing workshop that attempts to open a space for queer writing on erotica, the body and sexuality. The workshop led to a partnership with the online Palestinian journal Qadita.net in August 2011, and a regular queer column that includes literary writings, articles, and reviews, with the aim of presenting the points of views of LGBTQ people in Palestine and in neighboring countries. Media visibility is a tool that alQaws has used extensively to try to change social discourse on sexuality, and we intend to continue doing so through alQaws' website and our queer writing column at Qadita.net. To read an English translation of one of the texts that appeared in alQaws’ queer column "Intimacy," click HERE.

'Stop using Palestinian gays to whitewash Israel's image'

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0200

At the recent 'Gay Olympics' - the World Outgames in Copenhagen, Denmark - Tel Aviv was crowned one of the exclusive gay capitals of the world and proudly celebrated by the Israeli ambassador in Denmark.

Five days later, a still unidentified gunman killed two people and wounded a dozen more in a gay drop-in center in that very same Tel Aviv.

The attack was followed by a myriad of articles on the homophobia haunting Israel and a Haaretz poll showing that nearly half of the Israeli population believes homosexuality is a perversion.

Israel, Palestine, and Queers

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0200

On January 28, little more than a week after Israel concluded its brutal military campaign against the Gaza Strip, James Kirchick published the latest installment in his growing corpus of articles about tolerant, gay-friendly Israel and homophobic, "Islamofascist" Palestine. Although Kirchick has published essentially the same article under different titles -- "Palestine and Gay Rights" and "Palestinian Anti-Gay Atrocities Need Attention" -- and although he regurgitates the same flimsy, unsupported arguments in all of these articles, we do not write to question his intellectual prowess or journalistic qualifications. In fact, Kirchick’s diatribe against Palestinians and the "radical" gay activists who support them would not warrant a response if it did not, in our view, represent something much bigger and more dangerous.

Rainbow over Palestine

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0200

Palestinians who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) face a unique, complex, and often dire set of struggles on multiple fronts.

Palestinian society is in many ways deeply conservative and traditional, so those who identify as LGBTQ often face harsh reactions from their families and communities, ranging from social ostracism to physical violence. At the same time, LGBTQ Palestinians in Israel and the occupied territories regularly face discrimination, denials of civil and human rights, and other forms of violence and inequality as a result of their Palestinian identity.

About Us

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, a civil society organization founded in grassroots activism, is at the forefront of vibrant Palestinian cultural and social change, building LGBTQ communities and promoting new ideas about the role of gender and sexual diversity in political activism, civil society institutions, media, and everyday life.

Embracing the diversity of our society, while challenging the political forces that divide us, we run community centers and events in cities and rural areas across Palestine, operate a national support hotline accessible via phone and online, build partnerships and alliances in established cultural institutions and civil society organizations, create innovative media campaigns, work to transform public discourse, and much more.

Bhebk A’amin (Arabic for “I want You Safe”

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Bhebek Aamin (Arabic for “I Want You Safe”) is a unique health initiative that was established by alQaws in 2009 to provide much-needed sexual health information to the Palestinian LGBTQ community. Bhebek Aamin is run by alQaws activists with an emphasis on offering friendly and accessible information about safe sex. In addition to providing sexual health information to individuals, the project seeks to raise awareness about the health concerns and needs of the Palestinian LGBTQ community to healthcare professionals, clinics and major healthcare organizations. Through its workshops and media campaigns, Bhebek Aamin aims to develop a positive attitude towards sex and address misconceptions about sexual health.
In December 2011, Bhebek Aamin teamed up with alQaws’ party organizers to help raise awareness about sexual health at alQaws’ bi-monthly queer party. Bhebek Aamin produced a series of fliers, stickers and T-shirts with information about HIV, AIDS and STDs in colloquial Palestinian Arabic. Over 500 condoms, donated to Bhebek Aamin by Durex, were distributed to party goers, and an anonymous HIV and STD testing station was set up free of charge thanks to the Lewinsky Clinic. The campaign was a great success. Some 400 people attended the party and the HIV and STD testing station proved popular amongst the partiers.
Over the next three years, we plan to expand Bhebek Aamin’s team of young professional activists in the field of social work and medical care to further raise awareness about LGBTQ health concerns and needs. We are working to establish contacts with major health organizations. We are also preparing for our 2012 HIV awareness campaign, and will soon start to publish a series of monthly articles and materials on sexual health, queer sexuality and transgender health on Qadita.net and on alQaws’ website.

contact us

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

General information and questions about alQaws
info@alqaws.org

For information about our local groups
groups@alqaws.org

Networking and Education
info@alqaws.org

Listening and Information Line
Phone Support:072-2220202
Chat Support: www.alkhat.org

Support and Donations
donate@alqaws.org

Address

Jerusalem *new* office: Near Al-Sahira Gate (Herod's Gate) and Al-Zahra street in East Jerusalem. For the full address, please call 026252729 or email us at info@alqaws.org
Haifa office: Habankim 2, 3rd floor.

Listening & Information Line

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

These initiatives aim to provide counseling and friendly supportive spaces for individuals with diverse sexual and gender identities and practices. It is divided to two venues, the first is the National Hotline, or Listening and Information Line (www.alkhat.org), which is a peer-to-peer support service operated by a team of volunteers from alQaws. The hotline also includes an online chat platform (www.alkhat.org) as a more discreet option.
The second venue is the Support Services that includes Groups & One-on-One Psychological Support.

Phone Support:072-2220202
Chat Support: www.alkhat.org

Mission Statement

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Our vision is to contribute to the building of a vibrant and just Palestinian society that celebrates diverse sexualities, sexual orientations, and genders.

Our Mission Statement: At individual, community, and societal levels, alQaws disrupts sexual and gender-based oppression, and challenges regulation of our sexualities and bodies, whether patriarchal, capitalist, or colonial. We work collaboratively to transform Palestinian society’s perspectives on gender and sexual diversity, homosexuality and LGBT issues, and to struggle for broader social justice.

Our locally-based programs support and advocate for diverse LGBTQ individuals and their families, create opportunities that inspire youth to become community leaders, open spaces for diverse communities at local and national levels, develop engaging and relevant educational materials to train civil society organizations, movements, and counseling professionals, and challenge social norms and common misperceptions with far-reaching innovative media initiatives.

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Stay connected! Sign up for alQaws's Arabic and English monthly newsletter to stay informed and updated about our news, activities, events and our efforts to promote sexual and gender diversity in Palestine.

Enter your email address below and click the "Subscribe" button

Our goals

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Engage and support individuals—including, but not limited to, those who identify as LGBT and queer—around diverse lived experiences of gender and sexuality

Empower influential LGBT/queer communities to become local and national activists, leaders, and social change actors

Create and cultivate a locally-relevant, positive, and highly sustainable cultural infrastructure around sexual and gender diversity issues

Initiate and lead a challenging society-wide discussion that combats oppressive gender and sexual norms and all forms of violence related to gender and sexuality, and constructively promotes a more open and just society

Our Politics

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Palestinian community-centered: The Palestinian community that alQaws belongs to defines our work and shapes our priorities and politics. Our work strategies and programs emerge directly from our field experience and careful analysis of the concrete local reality that shapes current social and cultural attitudes around sexual and gender diversity. For Palestinian society, all grassroots work is affected by Israeli colonialism and occupation. And, alQaws has been demonstrating for over a decade that all political work intersects with issues that are sometimes dismissed as too personal, apolitical, or irrelevant to anti-occupation and de-colonial organizing, such as homosexuality and queer identity, non-normative gender, and so on. In all of our work, we aim to expand our impact on our society through an ever-increasing circle of partners and supporters who adopt our vision, while standing firm in our beliefs and values. Our commitment to supporting and strengthening Palestinian queer/LGBT communities cannot be separated from our vision for a self-determined Palestinian society free from all forms of oppression.

Local/global, anti-colonial, queer feminist: Drawing from 10 years of grassroots and institutional local activism, as well as our deep connection to other global liberation movements, alQaws’ radical social change vision is firmly built on anti-colonial and queer-feminist values. We seek to overturn the existing oppressive and exclusive social and political structures that not only harm marginalized groups, such as gender and sexual minorities, but also prevent broad social justice.

Border-defying: Our mission is holistic, rather than single-issue, and as such brings an innovative approach to global and regional gender and sexual advocacy work. Crossing socio-economic, ethnic, religious, ability, and education lines, we work with Palestinian LGBTQ individuals, with a special focus on youth, women, and transgender individuals, as well as with civil society institutions/organizations and society at large. Defiantly challenging imposed colonial borders and decades of Israeli fragmentation policies and apartheid, we work in various locations across Palestine, modifying our strategies and programs as needed. Our hub locations include Yaffa, East Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Haifa, and these home bases and their local communities motivate and inspire us to continue growing our network throughout Palestine. We supplement our physical presence with a virtual presence accessible anywhere, anytime: on our main website, social media, our National listening and information line (alkhat.org) website, and more.

Our Projects

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

alQaws creates work strategies based on our society’s needs, and develops programs that correspond with and are inspired by our current realities. At individual (Support & Counseling), community (Community Building), and societal (Social and Cultural Change) levels, we provide Palestinian LGBTQ activists and allies with space for creative and dialogue-based activism, build coalitions and alliances with social and political movements, and inspire responsible and engaged dialogue on the diversity of sexual and gender identities and practices.

Singing Sexuality

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

“Ghanni A`an Taa`rif” (Singing Sexuality) is a Palestinian youth music project, and an initiative of alQaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society. The project emerged from the desire of alQaws activists to reach out to Palestinian youth. alQaws aspired to open new discussions about sexuality and gender diversity in Palestinian society through music. Music is an expressive art form that has the potential to make us think and feel; it is a driver and catalog of revolutionary social movements, this one no exception.

The media campaign for the project was launched on the first of May 2013, primarily through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and email. The Facebook page holds all relevant information about "Ghanni A`an Taa`rif", as well as all written and visual materials that were and will be produced. These include three promotional teaser videos directed by Eli Reziq and Shahd Issawi. The campaign also included graffiti painted on the walls of Jaffa, Haifa and other cities.

The website for the project (www.ghanni.net) was released yesterday on the 20th of May 2013, three weeks after launching the project’s initial media campaign. On the 25th of May 2013 at 8:00 pm the full project will be launched at a live concert at “Beat Club” in Haifa. All the participating artists will be in attendance, in addition to DJ Bruno Cruz and Jazar Crew.

The website includes all the original songs that were produced as part of the project. Many of the songs were produced as collaborations between groups of artists and writers. These collaborations reflect alQaws's valuing of collective work, and belief that sexuality cannot be discussed without engaging with broad societal oppression based on gender and sexuality. The collective effort put in "Ghanni A`an Taa`rif", as well as the freedom of the writers and artists to write and compose from their own positions and experiences truly embodies the collective resistance and gender and sexuality-based liberation at the core of the work alQaws does.

Songs on the website include the following: “Al-Qasida EShirreera” (written, composed and sung by Jami`a Takseer - Hassan and Rami Nakhle), “Manakir” (written, composed and sung by Haya Zaatry), “Ji’tu ila ahly“ (written, and composed by Jowan Safadi sung by Jowan Safadi and Haya Zaatry), “ana hurra bihaly” (written by Rimon Haddad and May Abadi), "Zumzum" (written by Muhammad Halim, composed and sung by Jami'a Takseer), "Thalath Qasa'id" (Written by Shahd Issawi, composed by Abu Rabus band, sung by Riyad Sliman), "Bhebbik" (written by: Muhammad Halim, composed by Jami'a Takseer and sung by Rola Azzar.)

All of the above are now available: www.ghanni.net

For more information:
0528670847
info@ghanni.net
www.facebook.com/ghanni3anta3rif
Twitter: @Ghanni3anta3rif

support us

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

Join the movement for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestine by supporting alQaws’ unique programming and initiatives.

Our work depends entirely on generous donors like you, who believe that supporting visionary social change movements and grassroots organizations play a crucial role in creating an open society. We are grateful for your generous gift. Your contribution allows alQaws to support, advocate, and provide the assistance necessary for the wellbeing of the Palestinian LGBTQ people living here. You are also helping us promote the discourse of Sexual & Gender Diversity within Palestinian society.

Who Are We

Mon, 01 Jan 0001 00:00:00 +0000

alQaws was born as a grassroots group, formed in November 2007 after working since the end of 2001 as an independent local project in Jerusalem. Our transition to an independent national Palestinian organization was the first step in creating a sustainable, visible, and truly impactful Palestinian LGBTQ movement that represents a local discourse and uses strategies inspired by alQaws’ activists’ field experience and analysis.

Our grassroots core remains at the heart of an ever-growing movement that reaches and benefits all of society. We provide Palestinian LGBTQ activists and allies with space for creative and dialogue-based activism, create capacity-building and knowledge-sharing opportunities, build coalitions and alliances with social and political movements, and inspire critical and engaged dialogue on the diversity of sexual and gender identities and practices.

alQaws has always aimed to work with and across our whole society, despite occupation and apartheid policies that fragment Palestinian society into groups living under different forms of Israeli control and domination and in different socio-political contexts. alQaws creates local youth leadership across four main locations, as well as builds a unified national Palestinian LGBTQ leadership that practices self-determination and strives toward a de-colonized Palestine.

Our leadership:
alQaws’ current structure includes: a professional team responsible for general organizational management and project coordination and development; a board of seven directors from various areas and fields of experience; and a national leadership comprising 50 activists: a diverse group in terms of gender, geographic origins, knowledge, and experiences.

Our national leadership's work intersects with local leadership in four centers: the North (Haifa), East Jerusalem, the Center (Jaffa), and the West Bank (Ramallah). The current professional team includes: a Director (full-time), a Counseling and Groups coordinator (50%), a West Bank Community Organizer (50%), an Advocacy and Networking coordinator (50%) and a Local Media Coordinator (30%).