Now more than ever with so much unrest in the world and so many LGBT people and communities simply struggling to be true to themselves and survive persecution and even death, it is vitally important that we share their stories to try and help their cause.  And at the very least to show them that they are not totally alone in the world.

Ayse Toprak is a  Turkish filmmaker living in Istanbul who is trying to finish her first documentary Mr Gay Syria about two gay Syrian refugees.  Husein and Mahmoud had to flee Syria to escape war and homophobia, however when they arrived in Turkey they realized that they were facing a society that does not accept them either. In order to have their voices heard Mahmoud decided to put on a contest with the other gay Syrian refugees and to attend Mr Gay  World.   Sadly the filmmaker had to hide some of the participants faces because they are all still at risk .

Toprak said : “With this film I wanted to share their fight for freedom, acceptability and visibility This is more a story about staying alive means what holding on to life means , what dignity is about.  And there is something very courageous about my characters which is admirable and I think they have added a lot to my life.

Mr Gay Syria has a crowdfunding campaign to finish their very touching wee  film and share the important stories of people surviving the greatest humanitarian crisis of our times.  You can help by donating at  https://www.kisskissbankbank.com/mr-gay-syria-film