How often do you get to chat with the author of your major literary obsession and learn something about queer storytelling at the same time? I cannot believe I actually got to sit down with @lamyaisangry to talk about their brilliant novel Hijab Butch Blues, their essay writing and the queer future, which, according to Lamya, will be weird AF. Listen now, to hear about queer readings of the Quran, gender expression at the gym, new coming out narratives, and Lamya’s queer writing ancestors. Not to be missed!

References:

Lamya H. “A Fragile Dance: Queer Brown Futures (Or Lack Thereof).” Autostraddle, 23 April 2015.
https://www.autostraddle.com/a-fragile-dance-queer-brown-futures-or-lack-thereof-284789/
Leslie Feinberg’s Stone Butch Blues
Audre Lorde’s Sister Outsider
Zami
"A Litany for Survival"
Dionne Brand’s What We All Long For
Dorothy Allison’s Bastard Out of Carolina
Cavedweller
Stone Wall Award
American Library Association
https://www.lamyah.com/

Questions you should be able to respond to after listening:

1. Lamya writes in a very interesting form of memoir. What makes the structure of their novel unique?
2. What does Lamya think about coming out narratives and how they are changing in contemporary literature?
3. Who does Lamya name as her queer ancestors? Please look up at least one of them to find out a little more about their life and work.
4. What does Lamya say about the queer future? What do you think the queer future, or the future of queer narratives, will look like?