VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Art is political: about morality and humanity, and we “should all be paying attention to human rights,” says Rahel Claman, a Vancouver-based dance instructor, lending her veteran skills to help LGBTQ+ refugees.
In many countries being gay or having a sexual or gender identity that others don’t accept can lead to threats varying from harassment to violent and deadly assaults.
“The fact that there still is discrimination, that there still are unsafe places for people who are different than others. I feel that it’s our obligation, especially if we have a platform as artists or as teachers or people who are working with groups of people, to be helping,” says Claman.
Coming to Canada can be a second chance at living openly and in a more safe and accepting environment, which is why the annual fundraiser, An Evening In Damascus raises money for Rainbow Refugee each year.
RELATED ARTICLE: An Evening in Damascus: from underground network in Syria to prestigious fundraiser
For 20 years, Rainbow Refugee has been supporting people seeking “protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE) or HIV status.”
Claman has been involved in Middle Eastern and North African dancing for about 18 years and has dedicated her life to teaching others how to share in those arts in a way that is ethical and avoids cultural appropriation.
She has created a full-length performance that will be presented at An Evening In Damascus on July 24.
RELATED ARTICLE: ‘Making sweet Damascene lemonade’ out of COVID-19, fundraiser adapts
The event, which has raised more than $150,000 in five years of fundraising, will be going virtual for its sixth iteration.
“My partner and I spent two entire days, two full days filming at five different locations with multiple costumes. We’re spending this entire week editing the performances. It’s been an incredible amount of work, more than I’ve ever done for a life performance,” says Claman.
Each year, the money has gone directly to helping individuals and at least one family settle in Canada.
This year, would-be incoming refugees are stuck in potentially dangerous situations abroad, as in-person interviews and hearings have stopped amid COVID-19. Rainbow Refugee is supporting those who were in the process to come to Canada but are stuck in limbo in uncertain times.
According to Amnesty International “same-sex sexual activity is a crime in 70 countries, and can get you a death sentence in nine countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Yemen. And even where these restrictive laws are not actually enforced, their very existence reinforces prejudice against LGBTI people, leaving them feeling like they have no protection against harassment, blackmail and violence.”
Ethical art
Claman acknowledges she makes her living from dances that are from other cultures, including from Middle Eastern, Asian and African countries and she says she actively world to reciprocate and share her gains back to those communities while also teaching about cultural appropriation and the context of cultural exchange.
Instead of taking drop-in classes with Claman, students have to sign up for courses, which include mandatory lectures on being ethical and responsible dancers and giving back by supporting dance-professionals in those places.
“Anytime a student is going to perform, I am very clear with them that ‘you need to understand what the style is of this dance and what the meanings are, the lyrics. Are you dancing this appropriately and ethically for this specific style?’” she explains.
“I am very dedicated to going to Egypt and to other parts of the Middle East to train and to support dancers from those parts of the world,” says Claman, adding each year her and her partner host dancers from the Middle Eastern or North Africa, or dancers of color in Vancouver.
Claman is vocal about Black Lives Matter and other human rights causes saying she has a duty to speak up.
“I’m being extremely vocal and have been and will continue to be about my (I don’t want to call them) political views because I don’t feel like human rights are political, so ethical views, and using my platform.”
As a dancer, she finds most of her students are like-minded but occasionally someone who is perhaps a fan of Claman’s dancing and less familiar with her social justice work will find themselves in her bubble.
“And I use those classes to teach about issues of cultural appropriation and sensitivity and of inclusion and acceptance and body positivity. And right now, specifically, Black rights and civil rights issues,” she says.
You can see Rahel Claman perform her full set on July, 24 for An Evening In Damascus by purchasing tickets online. A VIP ticket includes a dinnertime delivery of delicious Syrian food prepared by Tayybeh.
You can also purchase a ticket for an LGBTQ+ newcomer or refugee to enjoy dinner and the show.
[embedded content]
NEWS 1130 is a media sponsor for An Evening in Damascus.
