“Jnoud El Rab” Target LGBTQ+ Community At Beirut Bar

Last night, members of the “Jnoud El Rab” (Soldiers of God) group from Ashrafieh carried out an attack, bombarding the queer-friendly Om Bar Room in Mar Mikhael. This incident occurred during a drag show featuring the performers Latiza Bombé and Emma Gration.

The attackers hurled verbal attacks, calling the bar “a place of Satan promoting homosexuality” and preventing any attendees from exiting the premise under threat of physical violence. The incident began at around 11 PM according to L’Orient Today, and some people who tried to escape were physically harmed. It is unclear how the attack ended.

Members of the Christian group “Jnoud al-Rab” ambushed Om Barroom pub in Mar Mikhael, Beirut, amid a drag show it was hosting this evening.

The members could be heard threatening, “Promoting homosexuality is forbidden,” “this is just the beginning.” pic.twitter.com/7dKr9yMoFk

— Sally Abou AlJoud | سالي (@JoudSally) August 23, 2023

Many expressed their worry over the increasing aggressions against Lebanon’s LGBTQ+ community. Last night’s incident is only an example of what the community continuously endures amid a wave of queer hostility in the country.

مشهد اخر من الهجمة البربرية لمن يدعون انهم جنود "الرب".. برعاية وزراء الداخلية والثقافة والتربية ورؤساء الطوائف قشة لفة.. وكل المحرضين فردا فردا. وعذرا اذا نسينا حدا من لائحة العار الهوموفوبية.
ملاحظة: البرازيل يلي فيها لبنانيين قد لبنان ع مرتين، جرمة خطاب الهوموفوبيا اليوم. pic.twitter.com/sdHeyG9WIv

— Elsy Moufarrej (@emoufarrej) August 23, 2023

Earlier this week, Minister of Education in the caretaker government Abbas Halabi banned the popular children’s game “7ayye w sellom” because a version of the game in public schools included a rainbow on it.

لا لا عم تمزحو اكيد!! لك كل ما مقول وصلنا عالقعر، بتحفرو اكتر..
ما هذا البولشيت.. كيف رح يشيل قوس القزح وقت تشتي الدني 😅😅 pic.twitter.com/nNctCZOCRD

— أماني جحا (@amanie_geha) August 22, 2023

As the Lebanese government continues to enable such hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community and Lebanese politicians use it as a distraction ploy, it is expected that such incidents will frequent the streets of Lebanon.

The anti-queer rhetoric in Lebanon only showcases the use of minority groups as a scapegoat, as the community bears the brunt of a dysfunctional government that does not intend to put a stop to these crimes against their freedoms.

For those who may need it: Helem Offers Free Legal Services To The LGBTQ+ Community.