Legally homosexuality is prosecutable under article 534. Gay people tend to be discreet, which minimizes police entrapment or prosecution. Open sexuality in public places is not advised.

The situation for gay men in Lebanon has improved significantly in the past few years. Gay bars and clubs operate freely and an LGBT centre has been created to cater to all the needs of the community.

Despite the aftermath of the recent conflict with Israel much of the country is safe and the Lebanese people are extremely friendly and hospitable. Lebanon is a fast changing country and is inherently capable of recovering from any challenges. Each time you visit this vibrant society, it will be like visiting a different country with new experiences. Lebanon is a country to be visited during all seasons; you can ski in some of the best, soft snow in the world, go to the beach, and party all night long all in the same day.

Because of the historical ethnic mix between European, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern groups and the whole spectrum in between, Lebanese men offer an appealing variety.

If you wish to see the amazing and fascinating result of East meets West; then Beirut is the place to be. Beirut is many cities in itself; it only takes a moment to find what fits you best. Beirut is the largest city and the most liberal urban centre in the country, the last big city in European terms before the desert!

The culture of Beirut has evolved under the influence of contact with many civilizations and peoples, including Greeks, Romans and Arabs. The law school in Beirut under the Romanized Berytus is believed to be the first law school in the world. This history of cosmopolitanism is a point of pride for the Lebanese.

Beirut hosted the Francophonie and the Arab League summits in 2002. In 2007, Beirut hosted the ceremony for Le Prix Albert Londres, which rewards outstanding Francophone journalists every year. The city also hosted the Jeux de la Francophonie in 2009.  Beirut is the United Nations 2009 World Book Capital, an homage for its cultural wealth.

Beirut has also been called the "party capital of the Arab world". Monot Street had an international reputation among clubbers before political violence stymied its reputation.  However new districts such as Gemmayze and Mar Mikhael have emerged as new hotspots for bar patrons and clubbers.

Museums

The National Museum of Beirut is the principal museum of archaeology in Lebanon. About 1,300 artifacts are exhibited, ranging in date from prehistoric times to the medieval Mamluk period.

 The American University of Beirut archaeological museum is the third oldest museum in the Middle East, exhibiting a wide range of artifacts from Lebanon and neighboring countries. Sursock Museum was built by the Sursock family at the end of the 19th century as a private villa. It was then donated to the Lebanese government and now houses Beirut's most influential and popular art museum. The permanent collection shows a collection of Japanese engravings and numerous works of Islamic art, and temporary exhibitions are shown throughout the year. Robert Mouawad Private Museum exhibits Henri Pharaon's private archaeology and antiques collection, located near Beirut's the Grand Serail.

Media

Beirut is the main center in Lebanon for the television, newspaper, and book publishing industries. The television stations include Tele Liban, LBC, Future TV, OTV (Orange TV), MTV , New TV, Al-Manar, ANB, and NBN. The newspapers include An-Nahar, As-Safir, Al Mustaqbal, Al Akhbar, Al-Balad, Ad-Diyar, Al Anwar, Al Sharq, L'Orient Le Jour and the Daily Star. Beirut is one of the two main media hubs in the Arab World, the other being Egypt.

Sports

Beirut, in addition to Sidon and Tripoli, hosted the 2000 AFC Asian Cup. There are two stadiums in the city, Camille Chamoun Sports City Stadium and Beirut Municipal Stadium.

Other sports events in Beirut include the annual Beirut Marathon, Hip ball, a weekly horse racing at Beirut Hippodrome, and golf and tennis tournaments that take place at Golf Club of Lebanon.

Recently Beirut has taken to rugby league as well, with three out of the five teams in the Lebanon Championship based in Beirut.

Arts and fashion

There are hundreds of art galleries in Beirut and its suburbs. Lebanese people are very involved in art and art production. More than 5000 fine art artists and equal artists working in music, design, architecture, theatre, film, photography and other forms of art are producing in Lebanon. Every year hundreds of fine art students graduate from universities and institutions. Artist Workshops are flourishing all around Lebanon.

Recently, The inauguration of the Beirut Art Center in the Jisr El Wati district of Beirut added to the number of exhibition spaces available in Beirut, with an addition of a screening and performance room, mediatheque, bookstore, cafe and terrace.

On another scale, fashion and couture are thriving Fashion houses are opening up and a number of international fashion designers have displayed their work in various fashion shows.

Many fashion designers have opened shops in Beirut such as Versace and Gucci, but many designers live in and around Beirut, for instance Elie Saab a major designer for women's clothing, lives in Beirut. Elie Saab has made dresses for the likes of Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry and Micha Barton. Elie Saab always donates a Christmas tree to downtown Beirut every year.

Another fashion designer from Beirut is Zuhair Murad who has designed clothing for the likes of Ana Ortiz and Christina Applegate. He has worked for Mango clothing line, which has an outlet in Beirut, and has his own retail in Beirut.

LebTour.com is the LGBT travel agent for Lebanon.

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