Dr. Basel Touchan is a Syrian-American queer immigrant with a profound dedication to civil rights, liberties, and equity. With an extensive medical background, his professional journey has been shaped significantly by his personal experiences. Born the grandson of a genocide survivor, he navigated the challenges of growing up closeted in Syria. As he pursued medical studies at the University of Aleppo, his hometown faced the devastation of a civil war, recognized as the most significant humanitarian and refugee crisis since World War II. His relocation to the U.S. marked a transformative period where he embraced his true, authentic self and found a renewed purpose.
Today, Dr. Touchan holds the position of Multilingual, Migrant, and Refugee Lead in the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Kentucky’s second-largest school district. His expertise extends to his role as a professional learning development consultant and trainer with History UnErased, the nation’s premier provider of LGBTQ-inclusive curriculum.
Furthermore, Dr. Touchan practices as a corporate DEIB consultant, serves as a Commissioner on the Mayor’s International Affairs Advisory Commission, and is the Chair of the Mayor’s International Community Emergencies and Public Health Committee in Lexington.
As a board member for the ACLU of KY, Dr. Touchan is committed to protecting the rights and liberties of all, particularly the minoritized groups most vulnerable to systemic injustices. Recognizing organizations like the ACLU as pillars in upholding the freedoms he deeply values, Dr. Touchan transitioned from a career in medicine to fervently championing DEIB. His advocacy and work focus on influencing policy both locally and nationally and on enhancing representation in diverse sectors. His collaborative ventures with the Kentucky Office for Refugees have resulted in several initiatives that support newcomers.
In his personal time, Dr. Touchan enjoys traveling, reading, playing chess, and attending live musical performances. He is eager to leverage his expertise in supporting the ACLU's mission to realize their shared vision for America.