LGBTQIA+ AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND EQUALITY IN THE MIDDLE EAST
- Balance Learning Resources
- Jun 1
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Grade Level: 9-12
Duration of video 1: 3 Minutes, 9 Seconds
Duration of Video 2: 11 minutes, 3 seconds
Duration of Video 3: 4 minutes, 10 seconds
Themes:
Legal and State Control – Criminalization, dress codes, and laws enforcing inequality.
Violence and Repression – State-sanctioned persecution and gender-based violence.
Culture, Religion, and Power – The intersection shaping identity, rights, and restrictions.
Visibility and Resistance – The risks and impact of protest, activism, and being seen.
Description:
In many parts of the Middle East, LGBTQIA+ individuals face severe discrimination, with same-sex relationships criminalized in some countries and punishable by imprisonment or even death, forcing many to hide their identities. Despite these dangers, activists and allies continue to push for legal reforms and safe spaces. At the same time, women’s rights vary widely across the region, with significant differences in freedoms, legal status, and societal roles in countries like Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt. A closer look at issues such as education, political participation, dress codes, and personal liberties reveals striking contrasts that highlight broader debates around human rights, gender equality, and Middle East politics.
LESSON PLAN
Objectives:
Students will:
Analyze the legal and cultural challenges faced by women and LGBTQIA+ individuals in the Middle East.
Understand how gender-based oppression and censorship operate through law, media, and social norms.
Reflect on the global relevance of human rights, identity, and freedom of expression.
Materials:
Smartboard/projector
Internet access (YouTube videos)
Printed/distributed discussion questions
Poster paper or collaborative slide decks
Markers/devices for research
Lesson Activities
1. Introduction (10 minutes)
Display & Discuss:
Headline:
“Iraq Bans Media From Using the Word ‘Homosexuality’” and recent protests in Iran led by women.
Prompt Discussion:
“What does it mean when a government tries to control how people dress, identify, or speak?”
Why Are These Stories Important? Briefly introduce stories of individuals from the videos- e.g., Iranian women protesting hijab laws, LGBTQIA+ activists speaking out despite threats.
Discussion Questions:
How are gender and sexuality rights connected?
Why are women and LGBTQIA+ people often targeted first in oppressive societies?
What do these stories teach us about courage and change?
2. Watch & Discuss (30 minutes)
Video 1: (3 Minutes, 9 Seconds)
Focus:
LQBTQIA+ rights and challenges across the middle east
Discussion Questions:
Why might a government want to ban certain words or identities?
How does media censorship affect women and LGBTQIA+ people differently—or similarly?
Video 2: (11 Minutes 3 Seconds)
Topics covered:
Voting Rights for Women across the Middl East.
Women in the Workforce and Education
Legal Rights and Personal Freedom for Women.
Political Activism for Women
Discussion Questions:
How are women resisting repression in places like Iran or Gaza?
What obstacles do both LGBTQIA+ individuals and women face in gaining equal rights?
What role does religion and traditional culture play in shaping these experiences?
How do different countries across the middle east treat women? What is most noticeable?
Video 3: (4 Minutes, 10 Seconds) - Optional
Focus: Iraq’s media ban, violence, and censorship.
Discussion Questions:
How does censoring language impact education, particularly in teaching tolerance, diversity and human rights?
Can a government truly erase an identity or experience just by banning a word?
Do you think this is a policy, religious or state sponsored erasure of an entire community?
3. Case Study & Group Activity (25 minutes)
Topic: Gender-Based Oppression & Media Control
Each group selects one region (Iran, Iraq, Gaza, or Israel) and researches:
Legal status of women and LGBTQIA+ people
Examples of activism or resistance
How media shapes perceptions of gender and identity
How religion, law, and international pressure play a role
Task: Create a visual or digital mini-poster with the following:
“What Are the Main Rights at Stake Here?”
“What Forms of Resistance Exist?”
“How Could Change Happen?”
Groups share findings in a quick gallery walk or brief presentation.
4. Conclusion (10 minutes)
Reflect:Ask students to write or discuss:
“What connects the struggles of LGBTQIA+ people and women?”
“What gives people hope in the face of oppression?”
“What role can young people play in raising awareness or helping others?”
Optional Exit Ticket:
“One story that stayed with me was…”
“One right I’ll never take for granted is…”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion
This lesson highlights the deeply intertwined struggles of LGBTQIA+ individuals and women in the Middle East, where oppressive laws, censorship, and cultural norms often deny people the right to express their identities, speak freely, or live safely. Through the stories of activists risking their lives in places like Iran and Iraq, students witness both the harsh realities of state-sponsored repression and the powerful resilience of those demanding change. By exploring these issues side by side, students come to understand that gender equality and LGBTQIA+ rights are not separate battles, but part of a broader global fight for human dignity, freedom, and justice. These conversations challenge young people to recognize injustice, think critically about the role of language and law, and imagine a more inclusive world.
