Resources

If you don’t find what you’re looking for, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

All locations are approximate

• OutRight Action International – Outright is dedicated to working with partners around the globe, including the Middle East, to strengthen the capacity of the LGBTIQ human rights movement, document and amplify human rights violations.
• Majal – Majal centers the rights of different marginalized groups throughout MENA, including the LGBT community. Majal provides various platforms that focus on distributing information, resources and having community led discussion to highlight the experiences of marginalized groups
• Ahwaa – Launched in 2011, Ahwaa is an open discussion platform for Arab LGBTQ individuals that uses game mechanics to protect and engage its community.
• Migrant-Rights – Migrant-Rights aims to change attitudes and practices towards migrant workers through evidence-based reporting and offline engagement with all key stakeholders. 
• MewSo – MEWSo is a women’s charity run by and for women from ethnic minority communities. They serve communities from Middle Eastern, North African and Asian backgrounds. They aim to defend and protect women from violence both at home and in the wider community, help them rebuild their lives through tailored advice, guidance and support, and campaign for their equality and human rights to be respected.
• Salon Kawakib – A cultural salon in Chicago for the SWANA diaspora, hosting monthly events and emphasizing community connectedness.
• Aywa Hafla – Based in Chicago, this community offers SWANA gatherings while advocating and providing various support opportunities through local group activities.
• Trans Lifeline – Run by and for trans people, Trans Lifeline provides 24/7 trans peer support and resources needed to survive and thrive. Phone 8773306366
• Embrace Lebanon– An affirming mental health clinic on Makdessi Street in Hamra. Phone +961 1 346 226 ; Lifeline in Lebanon: 1564.
• Helem – Helem is the first LGBTQIA+ rights organization in the Arab world, established in Beirut in December of 2000. With a mission to lead the struggle for the liberation of LGBTQIA+, and other people with non-conforming sexualities in Lebanon and the SWANA region.
• Queer Arabs Australia – QAA is the leading national organization dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals from Arab, Middle Eastern, and North African (MENA) backgrounds across Australia.
• IraQueer – IraQueer is an Iraqi non-governmental organization based in Sweden advocating for LGBT rights in Iraq. The organization undertakes education, advocacy, and direct services. IraQueer offers direct services that respond to urgent needs including safe housing, and supporting asylum seekers.
• Al Qaws – Al Qaws for Sexual and Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, often referred to as alQaws, is a Palestinian civil society organization founded in grassroots activism, aiming to be at the forefront of Palestinian cultural and social change.
• Tarab NYC – Tarab NYC, a non-profit, fosters an inclusive and safe community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and/or gender non-conforming Arab, Middle Eastern, and/or North African people in the greater New York City area.
• MASGD – MASGD is a Black/Indigenous Global Majority, Trans, and Muslim led organization that supports, empowers and connects LGBPQ+ and 2STGNCI+ Muslims and those racialized or perceived as Muslim. We challenge root causes of oppression, including misogyny, racism, capitalism and xenophobia.
• Inara – Offered through MASGD, Inara is a 100% queer & trans Muslim support line. They offer trauma-informed peer support that is fully anonymous.
• Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality – The mission of the Foundation is to encourage and support sexual health, sexuality gender and bodily rights movements in the Middle East and North Africa through capacity building, knowledge production, protection and advocacy.
• Lebanese Medical Association for Sexual Health – LebMASH is an organization of healthcare professionals that aims to achieve equity in health with focus on sexual health and the health of marginalized groups such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals, women/girls, people living with HIV, and refugees.
• Hidayah – Hidayah was founded in 2017 in the United Kingdom and in 2020, branched out to the United States. Hidayah (means guidance in Arabic) and we are entirely volunteer-led. Hidayah is a secular organisation; however, its projects and activities are developed specifically for the needs of LGBTQI+ Muslims.
• Naz & Matt Foundation – Providing a comprehensive range of trauma informed services to LGBTQI+ individuals, or their parents, from religious or culturally conservative backgrounds. We work mainly in the areas of religious and cultural homophobia, ‘honour’ based abuse, LGBTQI+ forced marriage and conversion therapy.
• International Planned Parenthood Ferdation – The IPPF – Arab World Region is a Service provider of high quality sexual and reproductive health services for all in the Arab region. Our mission is the provision of – and advocacy in support of – integrated healthcare to anyone who needs it regardless of race, gender, sex, income, and crucially no matter how remote.