Yahia Zaidi

Middle East

Yahia Zaidi
An Algerian LGBT Activist, Yahia Zaidi has revived Abu-Nawas, an Algerian group for LGBT Rights. In 2005, together with others fellows, Yahia established an HIV/AIDS prevention project for Men Having Sex with Men in Algeria. In 2007 he became UNAIDS and NAC (National AIDS Committee) Focal Point for MSM. Yahia is a social worker in the asylum field. In Belgium where he now lives, he co-founded OMNIA, Association of migrants from Middle East and North Africa living in Belgium that campaigned for the right to sexual diversity and the fight against homophobia among migrants from the MENA region. He served on the position of co-chair on the board of Pan Africa ILGA, the African chapter of ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association. He also represented Africa as board member on ILGA’s world executive board. Yahia co-founded MantiQitna Network and is part of its Board.