The International Conference of the 1st Montreal OutGames that took place between July 26-29, 2006, drawing over 2,000 LGBT activists and organizations from around the world, had invited Helem to take part in a keynote address for the plenary session entitled "Focus on Africa and the Arab World". Unfortunately, due to the Israeli siege and bombardment of Lebanon, the Helem member scheduled to speak at the plenary was unable to attend. Instead, she sent a short video message to be screened during her alloted time.

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The statement drew attention to the atrocities being committed in Lebanon by the Israeli military, and urged the international LGBT community to express its solidarity with with its brothers and sisters in Lebanon and Palestine by boycotting this year's World Pride event in Jerusalem. It also drew attention to the bind that Helem (indeed, any social justice movement in the region) finds itself in: struggling against oppressive governments at home on the one hand and resisting the pull of neo-colonialist agendas that attempt to co-opt human rights causes to justify their ends on the other effectively neutralizes the voices of groups who wish to see genuine, sustainable social and political change.

The statement was recieved with a standing ovation from many of the audience members, some of whom openly voiced support and solidarity with Helem and the people of Lebanon and Palestine. Helem wishes to thank all those who courageously stood by it in these awful times.