The Queer Arabs

الحلقه ٢٠ بالعربي: مقابله من فاطمه. ناشطه في مجال حقوق مجتمع الميم في #كندا. تكلمنا عن #شهر_الفخر و #احتفال_الفخر_العالمي و الجدل المثار حول موضوع #مسيره_الفخر في مقاطعه #البرتا في #كندا Arabic Episode 20: an interview with Fatima. A #queer activist from #canada. We talked about the #pride month, #worldpride, and the controversy surrounding #pride in #Alberta #canada

Louna, co-founder of the space be’kech (a queer, Muslim, women-led community space in Berlin, Germany), joined us for this episode.  Be’kech combines the words “Berlin” and “Marrakech” to reflect the cities of origin of the co-founders (Louna’s roots are in Marrakech, Morocco and Nina’s are in Berlin).  We also talked about Noon Festival, which is happening in Berlin in that space until May 31.  We talked about be’kesh and the many beautiful ways it is utilized, and we discussed a project that Noon Festival is supporting.  The project is led by the organization Masjid al-Rabia, and it’s called Black and…

Noon Festival in Berlin has begun!  This is Germany’s first festival centering queer, of colour and Muslim identity.  It started on May 15 and will continue until the 31st!  Erkxn Affan has been organizing this along with be’kech Berlin, and Erkxn curated the festival.  It was wonderful talking to them and hearing about their background, about the importance of having a festival like this in Berlin specifically, and more.  Coinciding both with the Holy Month of Ramadan and Queer History Month, all proceeds of this festival will be going towards the Black & Pink Crescent: an NGO supporting incarcerated queer and trans Muslims of color. Check out…

الحلقه ١٩ بالعربي: لقاء مع ادم داركو. شاب #عابر_جنسيا من #الجزائرى و يوتوبر . تكلمنا عن نشاه ادم في الجزائر. قصه عبوره و رحلته إلى مكان أقامته الجديد في #كندا. Arabic Episode 19: An interview with Adam Darko: Adam is an #Algerian #TransMan and Youtuber. We talked about Adam’s experience growing up in #Algeria, his transition, and the incredible journey to his current home in #Canada.

Ellie and Alia talked about the show Ramy, read and answered a question from a wonderful listener, and talked about the experience of podcasting in the past year and how it has affected us.  It’s been a great year and we look forward to more of them with you all!    

We got to talk with Fatima, living in Edmonton, who witnessed firsthand the issues that led to Edmonton Pride getting canceled.  This is a case of queer POC folks getting shut down and ignored, which is sadly something that happens way too often even within the queer population.  Queer people of color are already marginalized, and to be further marginalized by fellow queer people is incredibly isolating.  Because Edmonton Pride did not provide information on their website, and because the news sources that cover the situation do not specify what happened, the best sources are individuals – such as Fatima…

We are so incredibly grateful and excited that we have writer Saleem Haddad on our podcast!  This was an excellent discussion during which we talked about Saleem’s novel Guapa, some of his essays, and his latest work.  “Marco” is a short film that Saleem wrote and directed; it just premiered recently in Tunisia and the UK.  It’s a 20-minute film that carried the intellectual & emotional weight of a full-length film.  It’s powerful and will stay in your mind longterm.  Follow @marcoshortfilm on Instagram to stay updated on when and where you can see it. During this episode, we also…

الحلقه ١٨ بالعربي: لقاء مع الكاتب و الناقد الكويري العربي موسى الشديدي. مؤسس و مدير موقع سينمجي و مؤلف كتاب “جنسانيه ام كلثوم” Episode 18 in Arabic: an interview with Musa Shadeedi, a queer Arab author and critic, founder and director of Cinamji, & author of “Um Kalthom’s Sexuality” and other books. Painting credit: Lena Kassicieh الصورهً من عمل الفنانة لينا قساوسة Get the book: https://booksatcafe.com/products/product-355?variant=18560567378017 https://jamalon.com/en/1033322.html?fbclid=IwAR3–9T3AykRoIV3hkg_rIlq-fGWjgERNzL5056PYjII5IB9XkQEHaOXpNc

It was such an amazing surprise, while we were in Tampa, to learn from our friend Nadia about the Arab Festival that happened to be going on that weekend.  The organization Art2Action was one of the cosponsors of this amazing event.  Alia attended the festival and knew that contacting Andrea Assaf was a must after that!  We ended up recording an excellent episode not long after the festival, and it was so wonderful getting to talk to Andrea.  We talked about the organization Art2Action https://art2action.org which is the org that Andrea is the founding Artistic and Executive Director of.  We…

Reem, otherwise known as MEER off rap duo COOL TAN (p.k.a HEAVY)  is a Lebanese/Palestinian/Iraqi wordsmith, poet and artist. Her raw and unapologetic raps speak about suffering and mental health. Her music journey creates a platform for others who are also living with depression from strict cultural traditions. Reem has been involved in other bands such as COOL TAN (previously known as HEAVY) they have already been involved in festivals such as ‘Auckland city limits’ and ‘Laneway’. Played support for Le1f, Earl Sweatshirt, Jurassic 5 and Ratatat. Having just moved to Australia recently she’s already halfway through her album, and just…