Released this year in Beirut, the book “Mouzakarat Randa al-Trans”, or “The Memoirs of Randa the Trans” depicts the struggle from man to woman for an Algerian national:
In a daring, unprecedented move, a pioneer of the Arab world’s underground transgender movement has released her memoirs, recounting her struggle to become a woman against all odds. [The book] is a brutally honest narrative that traces Randa’s battles with family, society, country, religion and abuse in her native Algeria.
Forced out of her native Algeria with the threat of death, Randa took refuge in Beirut:
Long-running death threats last year forced her to leave her homeland and, with an expired European visa and friends in nearby Lebanon, Beirut seemed the obvious choice.
“I had been receiving threats for some time,” she said. “General security in Algeria had built a file on me, and I had been ‘warned’ by certain Islamist groups.
“Last April, I was given a 10-day ultimatum: leave or be killed.”
Why is Lebanon considered a haven?
While Lebanese law technically criminalizes same-sex relationships, it makes no mention of sex reassignment surgery.
And although patriarchal values still hold sway over this small eastern Mediterranean country, Beirut’s relatively tolerant society and the stellar reputation of Lebanese doctors have encouraged persons of different sexual orientations and identities to seek refuge in the vibrant city.
Though I honestly believe that we have still a long way to go to establish the basic foundations towards human rights, we seem to be on the right course. Unless we have a law that specifically protects people, “no mention of sex reassignment” will create problems down the line.
What a great article, and I commend you for exposing a topic that may be very uncomfortable to some. Although I’m not sure if I would call Beirut a relatively “tolerant” society..I think that perhaps, it might think itself to be, but behind closed doors, tradition reigns supreme..
Having a gender identity disorder is no laughing matter, and like being gay, is something you are born with. I wish we could rid society of such false preconceptions that make these issues too taboo to even mention. I can’t even begin to imagine how difficult it must be to deal with issues such as these..I’m happy that people are able to seek refuge in Lebanon, for whatever reason.. 🙂
I agree – the perception of Beirut is of a tolerant society but you only have to scratch the surface to know that its not true. I do find worrying though is that this perception could make us complacent. Although there is no law that can prosecute them, there is also no law that protects them. That is something activists need to fight for – a law that would protect people with gender identity disorder.
Unfortunately there is no haven for transvariant people in any eastern country, those except some southeastern ones. I live in the most liberal one at its most liberal city;Turkey,Istanbul.Yes, same sex relations are not outlawed, transgenders,gays and lesbian refugees are protected by law, the police no longer even may apply verbal offend against any of them,every year there is gay pride party on the main streets, there are tens of lesbian,gay and trans bars ,discos….But still I cannot say the country is well tolerant. However, I cannot deny that there is a space for us living. The general scene is I guess the same like in other muslim country; a gay with a rich family far beyond live a better life rather than an avarage one.
I agree – a great deal of work most be done to ensure a more tolerant atmosphere and small wins like this need to be seen as just that – small wins. The battle is long but if we can see improvements along the way, it helps make the finish line more visible.