The UN must better recognize homophobia and transphobia


Attacked in the middle of public transport because of his sexual orientation, a Montrealer of Lebanese origin and of the Muslim faith devotes himself to the cause of the LGBTQ+ community, notably by campaigning for the recognition of the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, underlined last Tuesday by the United Nations.

A few years ago, Moe Hamandi was on a transit bus with a friend. An individual started chatting with his friend and the whole thing escalated into a homophobic attack. Moe was quick to react.

“For me, there is a limit. My family, my friends and those around me, I [les] protect, drop the one who has been hit in the face. It was the first time someone attacked me in my entire life. I lived in Lebanon, I lived through the war, the bombings by Israel, the 2006 war, the attacks between 2005 and 2009. No one laid their hands on me,” explains Moe.

come out stronger

The physical wounds hurt him, but never as much as those of a psychological nature. But Moe reacted against the tide, finding the courage to do his coming out about his homosexuality.

“This violence compelled me to do so, but it empowered me,” argues Moe.

His first motivation was to prevent another person from suffering the same violence. Moe has decided to join forces with Fondation Émergence, which fights against homophobia and transphobia. The organization points out that according to several studies, the various forms of violence experienced by people in the community unfortunately shorten their lives. Moe is now spreading a message whose essence is to put an end to “everything that ends in phobia”, and this, in respect and collaboration.

Petition created

The theme of the awareness campaign – in connection with the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IICHT) highlighted on Tuesday – focuses on the time stolen from people in the community. A petition has also been created to make this day official at the United Nations (UN). This theme is appropriate, according to Moe.

“When you get mugged, seconds become hours,” he says.

A 54-second watch was also created by the organization, to represent the seconds lost for the six types of violence experienced (physical, psychological, sexual, medical and institutional).




Reference-www.journaldequebec.com

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