(CNN) The first ever gay pride event is taking place this week in Lebanon, a country where homosexual acts are still considered a crime.

Instead of the usual gay pride parades seen in the West, Beirut Pride will include an exhibition on gender fluidity in fashion as well as a storytelling get-together centered on coming-out stories and a gay-themed party in one of the Middle East's biggest night clubs.

Several anti-homophobia events and demonstrations have taken place in Lebanon in recent years, but activists are hailing Beirut Pride as a "first".

"This is definitely a big milestone. I'm very excited that this is happening," said Diana Abou Abbas, a member of the queer community since its genesis more than 15 years ago and manager at Beirut sexual-health center Marsa.

The event could break significant ground, just as a recent online and television advertisement did by featuring a lesbian couple. One of Lebanon's oldest and largest restaurant chains, Crepaway, commissioned the ad -- a first for Lebanese advertising -- "to include people we see everywhere around us," its head of communications Mario Thoumy told CNN.

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