Sam Khoury is working on theories of identity trans/formation and social movement – especially within the Middle Eastern and North African [MENA] Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer [LGBTQ] communities. He has almost two decades of teaching experience in English Second Language [ESL] and the humanities. He has also designed and implemented teacher training workshops and has developed innovative ESL programs for the International Language School where he works.
Being proud of his Lebanese heritage and his GAY identity, Sam currently volunteers some of his time and energy to speak out against homophobia and bullying – to generate discourse, to educate and inform, and to work actively against social injustices. His advocacy and activism has led him to be involved with various ethnic LGBTQ associations in Montreal. He is now the president of HELEM Montreal – an association which aims at fighting homophobia and demystifying homosexuality within the MENA communities in Montreal. Last, but not least, he is the creative direction behind a unique photo project that is geared towards changing mindsets and creating social change, especially for lesbian, gay, bisexual, Transgendered, and queer people from the Middle East and North Africa.
Photo-Installation:
Khoury, Samir. (2012) OUT: Portraits of a proud community. Identity construction among Lebanese/Arab Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer+ peoples [LGBTQ].
Presented:
For International Day Against HOmophobia [IDAHO] conference by HELEM Beirut (May 2012, Beirut, Lebanon)
For International Day Against HOmophobia [IDAHO] conference by HELEM Montreal (May 2012, Montreal, Canada)
For the Equity & Diversity Workshop Series: Thompson House (April 2012, McGill)
Conferences:
Khoury, Samir. (2012) OUT: Portraits of a proud community. Identity construction among Lebanese/Arab Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Queer+ peoples [LGBTQ]. For the International Education [IE] Conference (March 2012, New York)
Khoury, S.; Dali, Y.; Cole, A.; Wang, Q.; & Zahreddine, M. (2010) Identity construction through transformative processes: a multidisciplinary perspective. McGill University EGSS Symposium (March 2010, Montreal)
Khoury, S. & Vanvolkenberg, J (2009) Transculturalism and the integration of critical multicultural, anti-racist, and black feminist anti-racist pedagogy to generate social justice. Concordia University Symposium. (May 2009)
Khoury, S. (2008). An exploratory study of the multiple roles modelled by Teachers of English as Second Language in multicultural classrooms in Montreal Society. Comparative and International Education Society [CIES] New York (March 2008)
Khoury, S. (2006). Diversity: (workplace) Learning and development. At the Comparative Education Society in Europe in Granada, [CESE Conference] Spain (May 2006)
Khoury, S. (2005). Diversity: (workplace) Learning and development. At the Canadian Society for Training & Development: Toronto [CSTD Conference] (November 2005)