Resisting Sectarianism

The Middle East is often portrayed as oppressively patriarchal and homophobic. Yet, in recent years the region has become a vibrant and important arena for feminist and LGBTQ activism. This book provides an insight into this emerging politics through a unique analysis of feminist and LGBTQ social movements in the context of Lebanon's postwar sectarian system. Resisting Sectarianism argues that LGBTQ and feminists social movements are powerful agents of political and social transformation in Lebanon. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork, the book takes the reader inside these movements to see how they attract members and construct campaigns, forge alliances, and the multiple ways in which they generate important forms of resistance to, and change within, the sectarian system. The book also traces the strong obstacles that sectarian parties and religious authorities employ to weaken LGBTQ and feminist activism.

Resisting SectarianismFiguresTablesAcknowledgementsBiographical DetailsPrefaceChapter 1. 'No Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Classism'Chapter 2. 'We are Hated by Everyone': Sexuality and SectarianismChapter 3. 'The Law Prosecutes the Weakest': The Rise of the LGBTQ MovementChapter 4. 'What Kind of Relationship can be Considered Contrary to Nature?' Contesting CriminalizationChapter 5. 'I Exist': The Politics of Ambiguous Visibility and PrideChapter 6. 'LGBT is at the Bottom of Our List': International Actors and RightsChapter 7. 'We Have Always Been There': Tactical Alliances and Protest SpacesChapter 8. Conclusion: Contesting SectarianismNotes