The WOW Report

  • WOW Report
  • About
  • RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!
  • WOW Presents Plus
  • What to Watch
  • Store
You are here: Home / Life / Crime / “Mr Gay Syria” Doc Highlights LGBTQ Abuses in War-Torn Counry

“Mr Gay Syria” Doc Highlights LGBTQ Abuses in War-Torn Counry

By James St. James on June 13, 2017 11:46 am

Ayse Topeka’s new documentary depicts the lives of gay and bisexual Syrians in Istanbul as they compete for a place in the Mr Gay World competition and “makes a persuasive case that visibility is a vital weapon in the fight against oppression.”

Via The Guardian:

Toprak’s film presents the lives of a handful of the contestants, all of them refugees living in Istanbul, as they prepare for the big event. The main focus is on Hussein, a hairdresser who is closeted from his family and has the added complication of an infant daughter. There is also Omar, an infectiously jolly cook, and Wissam, who plans to win over the judges with a combination of Minnie Mouse ears, heels and hot pants. Such tomfoolery serves a vital function. Though the picture begins with a Gay Pride parade being violently disrupted by police, the instances of oppression and homophobia are outnumbered by scenes depicting matter-of-factly the lives of these resilient men who have, as Hussein puts it, arrived at courage by way of despair. “The contest itself was really celebratory,” says Toprak. “It’s part of their struggle that they want to laugh and have fun in order to stay alive. Everyone in that room felt proud of who they were.”

The pageant is a defiant stand against ISIS, who have killed countless gay men by throwing them off the top of buildings in Syria.

Speaking to the Daily Mail from Istanbul, where he has sought sanctuary, the newly crowned Mr Gay Syria Hussein Sabat insisted he hates the terror group more than he is scared of them.

‘I want to show that Syrian gays are not just bodies thrown off buildings by ISIS; we have dreams and ideas and we want to live our lives. Of course we were nervous but we we’re excited – we all wanted to be Mr Gay Syria to do something empowering,’ he said.

The 24-year-old knows firsthand the pain and terror of Isis – his first boyfriend was beheaded by the terror group and the execution video sent to family and friends.

Unfortunately, Hussein couldn’t represent Syria at the Mr Gay World competition in Malta because he was denied a visa.

My happiness was not complete,’ he said. ‘It was a wonderful title but then I found out on my birthday that they had denied my visa.’

The winner was due to fly to Malta day after he was given the crushing news and had already had a make over in preparation for the big event, which they had hoped would highlight the plight of gay Syrian refugees.

A reluctant stand in, event organizer Mahmoud Hassino was determined that his country would be represented and while he gave it his best he dropped out on the third day – not keen to take part in the swimwear challenge.

‘Mahmoud went to represent everybody – but he quit on the third day because he said it wasn’t for him – he’s a spokesman, and it’s not his way of doing activism. All the competitors were very supportive of him and more than willing to let him join in when he wanted,’ said Bradley covered the competition in Malta.

All of the Syrian competitors remain in Istanbul, apart from one who smuggled himself to Greece before the March 20th deadline agreed between the EU and Turkey.
For Hussein, he will spend the year fighting for LGBT rights in Syria and beyond.

‘We need to be more public about our sexuality so we can demand our rights. I can’t give advice because some people just can’t leave Syria,’ he said sadly.
‘I think we would have been an inspiration to them if we had been able to go to the final in Malta, but now… I don’t know.’

Read more about the film here.

Show the love:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Filed Under: Crime, Featured, Gay, History, LBGTQ, News, Politics, Social Media, TV & Video, Web

More

ABBA! Nick Offerman! Murray Bartlett! David Bowie! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!

ABBA! Nick Offerman! Murray Bartlett! David Bowie! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!

by Blake Jacobs on February 3, 2023 11:00 am

Adam Joseph Reimagines Loosey LaDuca’s Talent Show Track “Let Loose”- Listen

Adam Joseph Reimagines Loosey LaDuca’s Talent Show Track “Let Loose”- Listen

by Paisley Dalton on January 31, 2023 9:28 am

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Trending


#TikTokTrend: Madonna Dancing to Gaga’s ‘Bloody Mary’ Has Fans Kinda Freaking TF Out –Watch

Monét X Change & Bob the Drag Queen Launch New Line, BOMO Beauty

#Grammys23: Watch Sam Smith, Kim Petras, Violet Chachki & Gotmik Slay with ‘Unholy’ Style

#SNL: ‘Weekend Update’ Came For George Santos (Twice) This Week –Watch

#FirstLook: Jane Fonda & Lily Tomlin Plot Murderous Revenge in Comedy ‘Moving On’ – Watch

About

From the creators of The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Party Monster, Million Dollar Listing, RuPaul's Drag Race, I Am Britney Jean, Big Freedia, and more.

View My Blog Posts
Schiaperrelli! Madonna! Tom Hanks! Kylies Minogue & Jenner! The WOW Report for Radio Andy
Madonna! Joanna Lumley! Edgar Allan Poe! Jennifers Lopez AND Coolidge! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!
Prince Harry! Jennifer Coolidge! M3GAN! Jordan Peele! Randy Joins Us for the WOW Report for Radio Andy!
Rest in Perfection Barbara Walters and Anita Pointer! The WOW Report for Radio Andy!
ONJ! QE2! Leslie Jordan! Our In Memoriam Episode for 2002 on The WOW Report for Radio Andy

© 2021 World of Wonder Productions, Inc | World of Wonder is a trademark of World of Wonder Productions, Inc | Privacy

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in