Helem

Beirut, Lebanon

LGBTQ+Human rightsMental healthJustice & Legal aid

NGOFounded 2000National reach

Profile last updated: August 7, 2026

About

Founded in 2000, Helem is a non-governmental organisation based in Beirut, Lebanon working on lgbtq+, human rights, mental health +1 more.

Helem is an LGBTQIA rights organisation based in Beirut, Lebanon, established in December 2000. It describes itself as the first LGBTQIA rights organisation in the Arab world. Its work covers Lebanon and the South-West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) region. Helem runs a community centre in Mar Mikhael that serves as a safe space and activist hub. It offers a protection and services programme with a hotline and protection officers, free mental health support, and know-your-rights training for people facing arrest or detention. It also provides SOGIESC counselling and workplace discrimination support, runs membership and volunteer programmes, and publishes reports on LGBTQ rights violations and political participation. Its stated mission is to advance the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of LGBTQIA people through queer leadership, unity across diversity and advocacy for political and societal change.

Location

Beirut, Lebanon

Founded

2000

Organisation type

NGO

Focus areas

LGBTQ rightsLGBTQIALebanonSWANAHuman rightsMental healthProtection services

Languages

ENAR

Causes & programmes

Causes

LGBTQ+Human rightsMental healthJustice & Legal aid

Works for

LGBTQ+ people

How they work

Direct servicesAdvocacy & campaigningCommunity programmesResearchVolunteer programmes

Programmes

Mental health support programme

Mental health · Lebanon

Free professional therapy and counselling for LGBTQIA individuals, with higher-risk cases prioritised and external LGBTQIA-inclusive referrals available.

Know your rights bootcamp

Justice & Legal aid · Lebanon

Know your rights training on arrest, detention and rights in custody, plus urgent one-on-one sessions for people at high risk of detention.

Protection and services programme

View

Justice & Legal aid · Lebanon

Protection officers and a hotline providing legal assistance, case management and referrals for LGBTQIA people facing protection risks or violations, including workplace discrimination.