This weekend, two fundraisers are being held in DC to raise money for gay Iraqi refugees who’ve made it to Lebanon, only to find that they have no means of support while pursuing their asylum cases.

The refugees’ stories are often hard to believe—while it was never easy to be gay in Iraq, things have only gotten worse since the invasion, as sectarian violence and fundamentalist religious leaders have filled the power vacuum. Every day LGBT Iraqis face kidnapping, torture, sexual violence, death threats and murder.  The lucky few who have made it out alive are now in legal limbo in Lebanon and need your help.

This weekend, two Iraqi refugees will be in DC to help bring attention to their struggle and to raise money for Helem, a LGBT Center in Lebanon that provides shelter and resources for Iraqi refugees.

Friday, July 24: Reception at the Human Rights Campaign’s Equality Center. Join the Human Rights Campaign, Human Rights Watch and the National LGBT Bar Association for a reception featuring Iraqi human rights activists telling their powerful personal stories. Bring your colleagues and your checkbooks, from 6 to 8 p.m. at HRC. 1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW.

Sunday, July 26th: Party Like Iraq Star at Nellie’s Sports Bar. Arab music and dancing in Nellie’s upstairs pub room. Proceeds from special drinks (mimosas, bloody marys, and Nellie beer) and apps (hummus and tzaziki) go to Helem, but you’ll want to make a special donation, too. Casbahs will be rocked.  900 U Street NW, 7 p.m. onward.

For more information, contact Eric at: iraqrefugeelgbt@gmail.com.