An Evening in Damascus raises thousands for LGBTQI+ refugees

Another edition of RBC Presents: An Evening in Damascus saw $20,000 raised in support of the Rainbow Refugee Society.

Syrian-Canadian Danny Ramadan, who organizes the annual event, stood tall and proud when he addressed the large crowd of LGBTQI+ refugees, community members, and allies at the Terminal City Club Tuesday night.

“I have been told that I have an ego,” Ramadan said.

“They said that as if it’s a bad thing. As if I should be ashamed of my ego, the size of it is legendary in our household,” he continued, prompting his own laughs as well as some in the crowd.

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“They said it as if I should learn to be humble. As if being humbled is good in itself. As if I should be as humble as a holy prophet or an immortal king.”

But anyone who knows Ramadan knows of his accomplishments. Some even argue his ego is warranted.

An established, award-winning author, activist, and public speaker, Ramadan has to date helped raise more than $300,000 for the Rainbow Refugee Society through the event, which is into its ninth year in 2023.

However, his monologue to start the night wasn’t to boast about his own accolades. It was to encourage others — refugees, members of the LGBTQI+ community, immigrants, and other newcomers — to have their own egos, too.

“So many people amongst us today are former refugees. These people, my people, managed to cross land and ocean, learn languages they weren’t born to speak, become successful in lands foreign to them, and here they stand amongst us, in all their glory. Beautiful in every way. Inside and out. True to who they are and who they are meant to be,” Ramadan said.

“To you, my peaceful warriors, I say: Please be egotistical. Let your ego fill out this hall. Shine, even when people try to dim you. You have made it. We are in awe of you.”

Each year, themes for An Evening in Damascus aim to immerse attendees in Syrian culture. This year, the evening was designed to look like a Damascene “souk” — a traditional marketplace — where B.C.-based Syrian and refugee-supporting businesses were invited to sell their fare.

Tuesday night also included performances from drag sensations Kendall Gender and Selena Vyle, along with performances from Van Vogue Jam and belly dancing from Rahel. Dafa Band — made up of Syrian-Canadian musicians — and oud player Emad also entertained the crowd with music.

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The Rainbow Refugee Society provides support and information to refugees and refugee claimants in Canada who are “fleeing persecution based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or HIV status.”

Since its start in 2015, An Evening in Damascus has helped raise money to support over two dozen queer and trans refugees find safety in Canada.

Ramadan is someone who came to the country from Syria through the federal Private Sponsorship Program with Rainbow Refugee. In the many years he’s been in Canada, he says he’s always been inspired to help others and celebrate the intersecting identities of former refugees.

CityNews 1130 is a proud sponsor of RBC Presents: An Evening in Damascus.

-With files from Charlie Carey