Sexual diversity star instead of the binary slash

Inspired by the German language

An illustration of an asterix against a bright blue background Artwork: Artwork by Haisam Al Saiegh — Artwork by Haisam Al Saiegh

The most challenging aspect we have faced while preparing the content was using an appropriate language and editing the material in a way that considers gender sensitivity and doesn’t offend those whose case is being addressed on the one hand, and presenting the content in a scientific, pedagogical way that does not provoke anyone. This goal was to raise these silenced issues in Syria and Arab countries, in addition to motivating concerned people to present their ideas as an essential component of the Syrian fabric, not as a fashionable trend, which is often the case often.

Syria Untold

“One of challenges as well is to localise the terms and concepts and to bypass the traditional circles that mingle feminism to wider audience. This is something we tried to break through by publishing a set of translations, interviews and reviews on Islamic feminism and the relationship between religion and gender equality, as well as by writing colloquial materials that answer daily questions in a simple language without drowning in theory.”

The biggest challenge we have faced was to plan LGBTQIA+ content that balances feminist content. We attribute this to the lack of opportunities to communicate with LGBTQIA+ voices. This is what we are working on and planning to overcome in the current year’s plan, for the coming period. There are other challenges related to content in the gender section. Vigorous follow-up of new issues raised in relation to gender and more in-depth texts on intersectionality, especially intersectionality in our local contexts. Intersectionality is generally seen in the Arab media platforms from the perspective of immigration, immigrants and intersections of racism and gender. Other aspects of intersectionality that are more complex in our contexts are the intersections with local and de facto authorities, which are not discussed sufficiently, and class economic intersectionality is also not sufficiently addressed.

There is also a failure to highlight the alternative, militant gender experiences in various aspects of life.

“There is a failure to address maleness (and not masculinity); the variables of masculine identity in the Syrian diaspora, what is the meaning of masculinity in the diaspora, and the intersection of this identity with economic conditions. In general, gender and the Syrian diaspora need more attention.” Aljumhuriya

“From our point of view, the impact left by these materials is a cumulative effect that occurs slowly and gradually. This differs from one section to another, as we notice a tangible impact regarding issues related to women’s rights, freedom and equality with men, while the impact is less regarding the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, for example. This is normal in the case of our societies, but nevertheless we see that even here the matter left a great impact because simply publicising the issue and talking about it publicly is an impact in itself.” Syria Untold

An abstract illustration of a person tangled up. Artwork by Haisam Al Saiegh

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XwhY

XwhY is a reader of gender and sexuality related-content that represents the problems and challenges faced by women and LGBTQIA+ communities in Syria and the region.

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Introduction XwhY

Metamorphosis of the body and sexuality

How the tale starts…

Again in other plastic boxes

A religious undertaking or a patriarchal tendency

Inflicting harm based on difference

Female detainees face a social stigma

A harassment-infested region

Between two camps… and solitude

Tarps fly away with the first gust of wind

Reality and hopes between laws and social traditions

Empowerment vs “slow change”

Syrian women’s path towards political participation…

Women's sports in the face of conservative social norms

Campaigns surveys and shared reports

Audience interaction…breaking the silence.

Sexual diversity star instead of the binary slash

Gender and sexuality reader Visit page

Since they were united in the embrace, they became two no more

A pair they had become

But we cannot say if a woman or a man they were

They appear sexless

But of two sexes each all the same.Visit page

I was 13 years old when I learned how to cook pasta at school. Meanwhile, my boy friends were playing football in the schoolyard. Visit page

How would it feel if we try to put you inside a plastic box with a transparent lid, and let you watch the world from there as much as the world is watching you? Visit page

Al-Hisba / Muhrim / the Branch / abominations / morals / do-gooders / right and wrong / veil and chastity / morality police … “Do we have Islamic feminism? Visit page

Women and the confrontation of violence… between the injustice of society and lacking protection alternatives. Visit page

Mending what has been broken, Female detainees face social stigma after their release from the Syrian prisons. Visit page

when these relations are imposed, in a space that feeds on fears that grow in the heart and mind. Visit page

After this long life, how can you want to preserve the right to life for yourself? You are already destroyed, even God cannot untangle your internal destruction. Visit page

In these forgotten camps, our concern was to secure many of the missing simple and basic things, the most important is how to get water, showers and hygiene. Visit page

Societal traditions prevent the progress from being put into practice, so how can we get out of this deadlock? Visit page

It was funny to read that more than a quarter of women would rather criticize their partner’s sexual performance than talk about money. Visit page

I am specifically calling for intersectional thinking, not to “adaptation”, the intersection between feminist and gender issues with all political issues. Visit page

Professional training, with the aim of supporting local women against extremist and conservative values. Visit page

despite the lack of data, interactive alternatives were in place. Visit page

The impact of breaking the silence and shifting from bullying to dialogue. Visit page

The most challenging aspect we faced while preparing the content was using appropriate language, but it wasn’t the only one. Visit page