Resisting Sectarianism : Queer Activism in Postwar Lebanon

The Middle East isoften portrayed as oppressively patriarchal and homophobic. Yet, in recentyears the region has become a vibrant and important arena for feminist andLGBTQ activism. This book provides an insight into this emerging politics througha unique analysis of feminist and LGBTQ social movements in the context of Lebanon'spostwar sectarian system. The book argues that LGBTQ and feminists socialmovements are powerful agents of political and social transformation in Lebanon. Drawing on extensive ethnographic fieldwork, the book takes the reader insidethese movements to see how they attract members and construct campaigns, forgealliances, and the multiple ways in which they generate important forms ofresistance to and change within the sectarian system. The book also traces thestrong obstacles that sectarian parties and religious authorities employ toweaken LGBTQ and feminist activism. Written in an accessible style, this bookwill appeal to scholars and students of the Middle East, postwar societies,politics, sociology, feminism and post-colonialism.