Dreams really do come true! In this episode, I get to chat to the legendary originator of the feminist killjoy herself: Sara Ahmed. We talk about who the killjoy is, what she can do for us and why it is important that you can both be her and have her as your companion. Sara talks about the people who inspired her in her work on complaint, happiness, and killjoy feminism: readers, students, poets and fellow theorists like bell hooks, Judith Butler and Audre Lorde. And of course we also talk about killjoy joy.

For some extra #killjoysolidarity, follow @saranahmed and @queerlitpodcast on Twitter or @saranoahmed and @queerlitpodcast on Instagram. Bonus: you’ll get to see Sara’s super sweet dogs Poppy and Bluebell!

CW: discussions of misogyny, homophobia, and racism

Referenced work by Sara Ahmed:
The Feminist Killjoy Handbook (2023)
Complaint! (2021) What’s The Use (2019)
Living a Feminist Life (2017)
The Promise of Happiness (2010)
Queer Phenomenology (2006)
The Cultural Politics of Emotions (2004)
Feministkilljoys.com
Saranahmed.com

Other References:
Gay’s The Word
bell hooks
Audre Lorde
Ama Ata Aidoo's Our Sister Killjoy
Judith Butler
Lauren Berlant
Heidi Safia Mirza
Audre Lorde’s “A Litany for Survival”

Questions you should be able to respond to after listening:
1. Who or what is the feminist killjoy?
2. Why is it important that the killjoy is both within and outside of us?
3. What does Sara say about the role of poetry in her work? Which poet and thinker does she reference here?
4. What does Sara say about killjoy joy? Have you ever experienced killjoy joy?
5. Please read up on Sara’s work on happiness. How has happiness been instrumentalised against women and minoritised people?
6. Do you think you’re a feminist killjoy? Why or why not?