(ANSAmed) - BEIRUT - The Lebanese gay movement has come out into the open to protest against the law which punishes ''unnatural sexual relations'' with up to a year in jail. Helem (the 'Dream'), which is the only gay association in the Arab world, is shortly to organise a petition to try and have the law removed from the statute book. Law 534 ''clearly discriminates against homosexuals'', affirms Rabih, one of Helem's coordinations who, just a few days ago, promoted a public discussion on the subject in a central Beirut theatre. The event marked an occasion for free expression by Beirut's gay community, who covered the Babel theatre's wall with anti-discriminatory messages, such as: ''I am not a gay, I am a human being who loves cinema, music and men''; ''the government has nothing to do with our bedrooms''; or ''in our country it is normal to see men carrying a gun in their hand, but it is considered abnormal to see men holding each other's hands''. On the theatre's balcony, three young men wearing a rainbow badge - the universal symbol of the homosexual liberation movement - recounted episodes of abuse and discrimination. ''We were stopped by the police who took us to a barracks and hit us and subjected us to a rectal exam to check if we were gay. All this because one of us was walking in an effeminate way'', one of them recalled. Helem (which in Arabic is an acronym for 'Lebanese Protection for Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders') was founded in 2004 with the aim of uniting, protecting and offering medical and psychological assistance to Lebanese homosexuals. ''Since last year we have carried out around 400 HIV tests'', noted Rabih as he spoke with ANSAmed, whilst also explaining that Helem is tied to a network of a further 50 associations which offer health services specifically for homosexuals who want to receive medical care anonymously. Social pressure is the biggest factor that weighs on the psyches of Lebanese homosexuals. ''Most people think being gay is an illness'', explained Omar, 18, who is a new member of the movement. ''As I did not hide my homosexuality my family forced me to go to a psychologist for three years. In the end I had to pretend to be 'cured of my illness'''. Discrimination in the family, among friends and also the challenge of accepting oneself are the most common problems dealt with by Helem psychologists. ''These are problems which affect all social strata and confessional groups'', points out Georges Azzi, president of the association, noting that Helem is completely apolitical and has even carried out hassle-free sensitivity campaigns in areas controlled by Hezbollah. ''For the moment our objective is not gay pride,'' he says, ''but to abolish discriminatory laws and at least be accepted by society''. (ANSAmed).