Joseph Samuel Aoun
(Lebanon)
My work as an LGBTQI+ rights activist and human rights defender is founded on a deep consciousness of injustice prevailing in our world. I see daily persecution targeting the most marginalized in society as a result of oppressive systems and mentalities. In a time where our memory lacks remembrance of historic happenings that still deeply hurtfully and negatively impact our presence, I realize more and more how humanity is deviating again towards radicalism, authoritarianism, and fascism and therefore understand how much us as individuals are invited to take a positive stance and help growing the borderlines of freedom and human rights. There are times where we are despaired and tired of the slow development process and others where small changes charge us again to continue. And we need to keep continuing, and keep trying, out of a high sense of responsibility and in favor of all those we are unjustly treated.
