alQaws for Sexual & Gender Diversity in Palestinian Society, a civil society organization founded in grassroots activism, is at the forefront of vibrant Palestinian cultural and social change, building LGBTQ communities and promoting new ideas about the role of gender and sexual diversity in political activism, civil society institutions, media, and everyday life.

Embracing the diversity of society, while challenging the political forces that divide people, they run community centers and events in cities and rural areas across Palestine, operate a national support hotline accessible via phone and online, build partnerships and alliances in established cultural institutions and civil society organizations, create innovative media campaigns, work to transform public discourse, and much more. 

Vision

To contribute to the building of a vibrant and just Palestinian society that celebrates diverse sexualities, sexual orientations, and genders.

Mission

At individual, community, and societal levels, alQaws disrupts sexual and gender-based oppression, and challenges the regulation of sexualities and bodies, whether patriarchal, capitalist or colonial. They work collaboratively to transform Palestinian society’s perspectives on gender and sexual diversity, homosexuality, and LGBT issues, and to struggle for broader social justice.

Their locally-based programs support and advocate for diverse LGBTQ individuals and their families, create opportunities that inspire youth to become community leaders, open spaces for diverse communities at local and national levels, develop engaging and relevant educational materials to train civil society organizations, movements, and counseling professionals, and challenge social norms and common misperceptions with far-reaching innovative media initiatives.

Goals

Engage and support individuals—including, but not limited to, those who identify as LGBT and queer—around diverse lived experiences of gender and sexuality

Empower influential LGBT/queer communities to become local and national activists, leaders, and social change actors

Create and cultivate a locally-relevant, positive, and highly sustainable cultural infrastructure around sexual and gender diversity issues

Initiate and lead a challenging society-wide discussion that combats oppressive gender and sexual norms and all forms of violence related to gender and sexuality, and constructively promotes a more open and just society