May and June witnessed an upsurge in media coverage of the Lebanese gay arena. Last week's news (Lebanon's acting Interior Minister Ahmed Fatfat denying charges by conservative Muslim clerics that the government had approved a gay rights group as well as nudist beaches at two resorts) couldn't have come at a better moment. All over Europe, Gay Pride parades take the streets this week, while media shows interest in parts of the world (including Eastern Europe and the Arab countries) where "abnormal" sexual orientation might entail persecution.

In France, 20 minutes, the widespread free newspaper, featured in its June 23rd issue, a relatively lengthy article (the longest in its world section) on Lebanon entitled: "In Lebanon, Helem defends gays", written by its Beirut correspondent.

These are sample of news sources covering the issue: BBC news: Landmark meeting for gay Lebanese - May 26, 2006; CNN: Struggle for gay rights in the Middle East (includes interview with a Lebanese gay), Friday, June 2, 2006; Adnkronos International (AKI): LEBANON: Gay activities should be banned, says Beirut Counselor, May 30, 2006; Haaretz: Lebanon comes out the closet, June 09, 2006; News24.com: "Beirut: Arab world's sin city" June 23, 2006

In these news reports, including in AFP's "Welcome to Beirut, Sin City of the Arab world" (June 23rd), Lebanon is described as a refuge for Arab homosexuals, where tolerance is high and where the strict laws are not applied. Coverage was relayed by gay media and human rights NGOs, as well as by blog sites. Needless to say that the internet and blog sites (some of which are exclusively LGBT focused) are an impressive medium of communication and contact making.

Talking about gays in Lebanon cannot be complete without talking about the ground breaking Helem ("Dream" in arabic). This LGBT (Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender) NGO was easily able to attract attention and funding due to the huge interest it has drawn. For Europeans (EU, European Governments and European NGOs alike), Helem is regarded, above all, as a human rights NGO, whose public existence alone is a factor of positive change in Lebanese and Arab societies.

But the picture isn't as positive as the media portrays it. Last year, a Lebanese gay from Tripoli sought asylum in Belgium on basis of persecution because of his sexual orientation. He was granted refugee status. Legally, he argued persecution by non state actor (his immediate environment, i.e. work and family), while the State was unable or unwilling to afford protection.

Conclusion: Lebanon remains a multi-societal country, and from Tripoli to downtown Beirut, Human Rights change.

Mr. Wissam Al Saliby is currently pursuing a master's degree in International Law in France. He contributed this article to Lebanonwire. He may be reached at wissam_saliby@yahoo.com.

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