Bonus Cut from Episode 5. Ethical Visual Storytelling: Talkin with Arab Trans Creative Nour Ballout

The 2 Queer Arabz talk with Tarik Kazaleh about his process from battle rapper in Detroit to political hip-hop artist post 9/11. These three Arabs discuss the turning points of politicization as young Arabs post 9/11 and how music is so important to and for activists. Tarik takes the 2 queers through his evolutionary process from battle rap, through political hip-hop, to his more current avant garde instrumental style. His new audio-biography, Excentrik Anthology, covers his musical process through these three distinct phases. P.S. We also talk about enemas and porn!

2 Queer Arabz talk with Shahla Raza, the founder and director of Yusra Community Center in Istanbul, Turkey. Shahla shares how the center was started, the Syrian refugee crisis in Istanbul, and her abilities to cuss in Arabic. We also discuss Arab culture, such as being stuffed like a turducken and dancing the dabka. Shalha highlights the amazing women led business collective calIed Inshirah, which is for Syrian refugee women who utilize the center. Products from the Inshirah collective could be bought  through the the Yusra Community Center facebook pages: Yusra Community Center and Inshirah or on Instagram @ inshirah_collective 

2 Queer Arabz converse with Mariam Bazeed a nonbinary writer, performer, putterer, masticator, and cook. These three non-binary Arabs discuss Mariam’s current commissioned play Kilyubatra (Cleopatra), their past play PeaceCamp.org, the process of writing poetry while in quarantine, and a future play that is inspired by this Covid era. They also explore the possibility of the artist salon, which was held in Mariam's Brooklyn apartment pre-pandemic, to get sexed-up once folks are allowed to mingle in close quarters again. 

This episode is focused on breast cancer prevention, specifically for trans and gender non-binary folks. Breast surgeon Susan Bahl educates the 2 Queer Arabz about what to look for regarding breast health. She highlights how to navigate the system,  and what really happens behind the surgery scene. As trans/gender non-binary folks, Jude and Aisha interrogate Dr Bahl on what they should know for their health. October is breast cancer awareness month, so listen to the show and get woke on prevention. 

2 Queer Arabz is a podcast that focuses on what it means to be queer, Arab, political and finds comedy in all the seriousness. Jude Tarabulsi and Aisha Mershani break away from the defined boxes and into the unconventional parts of identity. Hate us for all the right reasons.