"When you were born, the world rejoiced while you cried. Live your life in such a way that, when you die, the world cries while you rejoice." Indian Proverb

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Aswat "Home and Exile in Queer Experience" Conference, 28.3.07    Aswat's historical, and first of its kind, Conference achieved a great success. Around 300 participants filled the hall while only thirty women demonstrated against it outside. On this day Aswat celebrated five fruitful years of social change and awareness raising. An intoxicating feeling of joy and pride filled the air and swept away all attendance. To read the opposite editorial by Aswat please click here>> Program of the Conference 10:00 - 10:30: Participants Registration 10:30 - 11:00: Opening of the event with presentations by                         Rula Deeb - Kayan Director                         Shahira Shalabi - Shatil Center                         Aswat Board Coordinator 11:00 - 12:00: First panel: "Homosexuality and Lesbianism in the Arab community"                         Participants : Aida Touma-Solaiman, Yousef Abu-Wardy, Ruti Gur,                          and Rauda Morcos. 12:30 - 13:00: Musical Interval: The Palestinian Women Rappers Band "Arapiat" and                          a slide show by Aswat. 13:00 - 14:00: Lunch break 14:00 - 14:30: In Solidarity: Terry Greenblatt – Feminist activist; Leslie Fienberg –                        Peace and Freedom of Speech activist; Brenda Funches - Asrtraea Lesbian                          Foundation for Justice; Hanneke Kamphuis and Naima el Moussati -                          Mama Cash representatives. 14:30 - 16:00 : Second panel: "Home and Exile in Queer Identity"                          Participants: Raafat Hattab, Nabila Espanioli,                          Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian and Haya Shalom.   16:00 - 16:30: Musical Interval: "Arapiat" Returns.  16:30 - 17:00: Conclusions and Closing Remarks. The Conference was translated into Arabic, Hebrew and English. The Event was kindly sponsored by:  Open Society Institute and Soros Foundation Network(FOSI), Urgent Action Fund, Astraea Foundation, Open Meadows Foundation, Douzan Restaurant, Fatoush Restaurant, and Private Donors. To read how the press reported on the Event, click here>>