LGBTQ+ people are among the most vulnerable of all refugee groups. In the original oratorio, Love Beyond Borders, Seattle Men’s Chorus celebrates the power of love. Compelling video interviews are woven throughout this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind concert. Hear the inspirational songs and stories of refugees escaping persecution in this must-see performance, Live on Sunday, February 18th or watch the Live Stream available for a limited time.
One of the couples featured is Nayef and Btoo, known as the documentary subjects in World of Wonder’s, ‘Out of Iraq’. They were named Grand Marshalls of the Seattle Pride Parade in 2018, and we featured them in the pages of Unite Seattle Magazine. They spoke to Richard Tso, here is a brief portion of that interview.
It was an unexpected place to find love. In 2004, Nayyef Hrebid found himself in an extremely
dangerous situation as an Iraqi translator working for the U.S Marines. As the conflict was
reaching new heights, many people in the warzone grew distrustful of those who could speak
both English and Arabic.
“I watched so many people being killed – lives and families being torn apart,” said Hrebid. “I was
based in Ramadi, which was one of the worst places with the highest number of deaths. We
would go out on patrols and people would be killed right in front of me by IED bombs and
snipers. I was asking myself: ‘Why am I here? Why am I doing this?'”
Then he met the love of his life.
Btoo Allami was a soldier in the Iraqi Army and they first met while on a mission to protect a
hospital and clear the area of terrorists.
“There were snipers all around [and] I thought maybe I was going to die,” Hrebid said. “But
when I saw Btoo, I thought he was one of the most beautiful men I’d ever seen. But I wasn’t
sure he was gay.”
In a country where being gay could lead to persecution and death, the couple began spending
more and more time together, until they eventually revealed their covert sexuality to one other.
They grew closer, and when Hrebid’s sister became terminally ill, he asked Allami to
accompany him to say goodbye.
“We found love,” Hrebid said. “We wanted to make an awful place into a beautiful place.”
In preparation for the concert, which was delayed a few years because of COVID, I reached out to Nayeff Hrebid on how he feels to be able to tell his story the SMC audience.
It’s a big part me and my husband to be part of this concert it’s mean a lot because the show the word about what’s happening in the LGBTQ in Middle East, we’re really appreciate for spotting the light for the refugees and that mean for more people to help others.
The concert is only happening Live at 2pm on Sunday, February 18th, but will be available to view on Livestream for a week after the concert. For Tix and more information, go to Seattlemenschorus.org.
