At 23, Ghassan Kassisieh from the Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby is the youngest of the Same Same 25. He was surprised to be named to be one of the most influential members of the gay and lesbian community, and says that in making a difference at a local level with friends and family, he hopes it will inspire others to take action in their own way and within their own circles.

“It was a bit of a shock,” says Kassisieh. “I was really honoured. I hope that people do feel like they can make a difference and I hope that what I show is that anyone can make a difference if they get involved.”

Migrating from Jordan to Sydney with his family at the age of six, he understands full well what it means to live a little outside the box. It is this comprehension that drives his influence over the community, albeit perhaps unconsciously. Kassisieh’s personal passions are changing public perceptions towards gays and lesbians, promoting greater acceptance, and fighting for equality, which includes not only the challenging the mainstream but also the gay and lesbian community’s own prejudices.
 
“[Our community] has a lot of freedom to express our identities and show creativity in the work we do. Things can be political and fun and cheeky. We have a lot of humour, lots of courage and a strong history of activism – there’s a lot about it that inspires me, particularly the people who have been there right back from the days where homosexuality was criminalised, who so generously give their time to mentor younger generations.”

Ghassan’s accolades not only include theatre, music and even male belly dancing but he is also a Law student at the University of Sydney, Vice President (Social Justice) for the University of Sydney Law Society and also spends what minimal free time he has working for a law firm on a review of Australia’s treatment of gay and lesbian refugees.

As part of his role with the Gay and Lesbian Rights lobby, Ghassan is currently working on two major law reforms - the first for relationship recognition, to ensure that same sex couples have equal rights and entitlements as well as formal recognition and equality before the law, the second for equal parenting and adoption rights for gays and lesbians. This reform is working towards ensuring children in same-sex families have automatic inheritance rights and recognition of their parents on their birth certificate. It also ensures that adoption laws will treat same-sex couples without discrimination and that non-biological mums will have the legal right to make medical decisions where their children are concerned.

It doesn’t stop there. As part of the group Beit el Hob – a group for Middle Eastern queers, Kassisieh is also involved in helping the group broaden its monthly social events to include more resources and safe spaces for queer Australians from Arabic-speaking backgrounds to find support in dealing with sexuality and helping with family issues.

“The difficulties I have had in negotiating my own sexuality with my family inspire me to promote acceptance and tolerance in the broader community.”

By Emmett Pink