Laïque Pride



Lebanese Laïque Pride, also Laïque Pride, Laic Pride, or Secular Pride, is a Lebanese secularist protest movement. The movement consists of various religious and social groups that are united in their call for secularism, women's rights, and media freedom in Lebanon. They advocate for "equality among all Lebanese citizens and the separation of religion and politics." The group is opposed to political sectarianism and confessionalism in Lebanon.

Founded in either 2009 or 2010, "Lebanese Laique Pride" was originally created as a Facebook discussion thread on sectarianism. Within a matter of months, the group organized peaceful marches against sectarianism and in favor of "secular Lebanon." The event serves as a platform for activists to raise awareness about secularism, equality, and freedom of religion in Lebanon.

In April 2010, more than 5,000 people participated in a Laïque Pride rally, calling for "an end to the country's deep-rooted sectarian system" and for a "secular Lebanon." The rally was inspired by the San Francisco gay pride marches of the 1970s, which were all about the announcement of presence and demanding rights. In the Lebanese case, their pride was about declaring the presence of and telling everyone about the existence of secular people in Lebanon whose needs were not being met. Initial demands of the movement include the enactment of a civil marriage law independent of any religious sects.

In May 2012, the movement issued demands, of which four were concerning women's rights and two were concerning media freedom. Laïque Pride also supports the enacting of a unified Civil Code for the Personal Status Law.