Frictional encounters in postwar human rights: an analysis of LGBTQI movement activism in Lebanon

Abstract

The advancement of LGBTQI rights is now a significant component of many international aid programmes. The successful diffusion of LGBTQI rights is supposed to rest on a successful interaction between international agencies that foster global rights and social movement actors that embed these processes at the local level. Yet, these encounters between global human rights ideas and local practices may not always generate positive dynamics. Drawing on the concept of 'friction'the unstable qualities of interaction between global and local forcesthis paper explores the relationship between international actors promoting LGBTQI rights and local social movement activists in postconflict societies. I argue that the notion of global rights is particularly problematic in the context of post-conflict societies where rights are allocated on the basis of sectarian identity. To empirically illustrate these issues, I look at LGBTQI social movement activism in the divided society of Lebanon. In particular, I examine the emergence and development of Helem-the first recognised LGBTQI rights group in the Middle East and North Africawhich quickly became the poster child for international development and aid agencies in the Global North. the local scale 'vernacularise'-translate the 'transnational metacode of human rights to local situations'so as to achieve policy and attitudinal change. 5 Thus, for example, the repeal of Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act has been identified as the outcome of the 'close working relationship between international actors and national civil society'. 6 Yet, these encounters between global and local actors, human rights ideas and practices may not always generate predetermined, predictable and positive dynamics. Scholars increasingly illuminate the uneven, unequal, unexpected and uncertain processes and outcomes that occur as a product of global and local interactions in human rights. These meetings and collisions 'can be both a site for empowerment and for domination' for local activists and populations. 7 A variety of conceptual frameworks are deployed to capture these complex forces. Merry notes that social movement activists may either 'replicate', 'hybridise' or 'subvert' global human rights norms. 8 Tsing, similarly, has coined the concept of 'friction': the 'awkward, unequal, unstable, and creative qualities' of global interaction'. 9 Applying friction to the consequences of international peacebuilding programmes, Björkdahl and Höglund note a range of responses by local actors 'which arise as a result of meetings between actors, ideas and practice in global-local relationships', and include 'compliance, adoption, adaptation, co-option, resistance and rejection'. 10 Research on frictionality tends to view such engagements as leading to a singular form of movement response. That is, local human rights movements may either decide on compliance, adoption, adaptation, co-option, resistance and rejection in relation to global rights. Yet, the full array of these strategic options may uneasily coincide wi...

Political Empowerment of Women, Girls and LGBTQ+ People: Post-conflict Opportunities

“…Activists subsequently in the early 2000s created Helem, the first organisation serving SGMs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), advocating and lobbying for their legal and social rights. Growing donor support for LGBTQ+ movements in Lebanon has focused on professionalization of CSOs and service provision, however, which has in some instances undermined the radical and confrontational potential of civil society to challenge the state (Nagle, 2020). In the case of BiH, women's groups that emerged during the war have also undergone a professionalization with international support, but have become crucial organisations advocating for gender equality and women's rights (Popov-Momčinović & Meier, 2022).…”

“…In Lebanon, the LGBTQ+ movement has instead been able to build links and networks with many Lebanese non-sectarian groups and non-sectarian movements (e.g. anti-corruption, anti-racism) (Nagle, 2020). ▪ Patriarchal backlash and structural repression of women's formal political representation (Evilsizor & Cox, 2021).…”

“…The civil war in Lebanon provided an opening for advancing LGBTQ+ rights (Myrittinen & Daigle, 2017). Helem was created by a small number of activists in the early 2000s, becoming the first organisation serving SGMs in MENA, advocating and lobbying for the legal and social rights of people with alternative sexuality (Nagle, 2020;Myrittinen & Daigle, 2017). Helem campaigned, for example, to end the criminalisation, stigmatisation and discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals -bringing together activists from different confessional, economic and educational backgrounds (Nagle, 2020).…”

“…Helem was created by a small number of activists in the early 2000s, becoming the first organisation serving SGMs in MENA, advocating and lobbying for the legal and social rights of people with alternative sexuality (Nagle, 2020;Myrittinen & Daigle, 2017). Helem campaigned, for example, to end the criminalisation, stigmatisation and discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals -bringing together activists from different confessional, economic and educational backgrounds (Nagle, 2020). Helem linked itself to the global LGBTQ+ movement to provide the LGBTQ+ population a sense of collective identity and to foster a unified movement (Nagle, 2020).…”

“…Helem campaigned, for example, to end the criminalisation, stigmatisation and discrimination of LGBTQ+ individuals -bringing together activists from different confessional, economic and educational backgrounds (Nagle, 2020). Helem linked itself to the global LGBTQ+ movement to provide the LGBTQ+ population a sense of collective identity and to foster a unified movement (Nagle, 2020).…”