About the course

This course aims to provide an introduction to the basic components of sexuality including sex, sexual characteristics, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation. Learners will be able to understand the differences between these components and how they manifest within local and global contexts, whether socially, culturally, or legally. This course helps individuals differentiate these components in a manner that is beneficial for their personal and professional lives. It also gives learners the opportunity to engage with and understand issues faced by queer individuals, especially for those unfamiliar with the subject and/or those who have preconceived misconceptions.

Learning Objectives

• Understand sexuality and diversity and recognize their importance.
• Identify sexual characteristics and their relation to the self, society, and the medical context.
• Identify gender identity as a social construct and recognize its history.
• Recognize gender expression as a diverse spectrum.
• Recognize sexual orientations and their implications among science, history, media, religion, legislation, and society.

Target Audience

• LGBTQI+ community
• Primary audience: age 18-24
• Secondary audience: age 25-42
• Students (high school and university)
• Civil society members and activists
• Service providers (lawyers, medical field and social workers)
• Private sector employees
• General Public

About Helem

Helem is the first LGBTQIA+ rights organization in the Arab world, officially established in Beirut, Lebanon in 2001. Its mission is to lead the struggle for the liberation of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Intersex, Transgendered, Queer (LGBTQIA+) and other people with non-conforming sexualities and/or gender identities in Lebanon and the MENA region from all sorts of violations of their individual and collective civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.