Queer Everything

I'm excited to be on today with two longtime friends. They met in medical school in Beirut and have been together for 18 years. I jokingly call their story the worst one night stand ever– because 18 years, two countries, several cities, and two children later, they’re still going strong. Their story is beautiful, and it has it all – from years of one having no idea that

In this episode, I continue my conversation with Mx. Yaffa, a queer, indigenous, displaced Palestinian person who currently serves as the executive director of the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity. In this episode, we talk more about the challenging and necessary work that they do with queer muslims and Palestinians. I am struck by Yaffa’s commitment to doing work

My guest today is Mx.Yaffa, Executive Director of the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity, or MASGD. Yaffa is a queer Palestinian poet, author, activist, and death doula whose family history of multiple displacements goes back 3-4 generations.In this episode, Yaffa shares their and their family’s history of displacement and movement. In the next episode, we will hear

My guest today is Paul Nabil Matthis, whom you can find on Instagram and TikTok as @paulnmatthis. Paul is an author, musician, social media educator (among other things). Paul’s channel is great- he posts a variety educational videos, ranging from topics in middle eastern/SWANA history to nerdy videos about different percussion styles in the Arab world, to social justice topics,

I'm happy and also sad because of the circumstances to welcome back Ali for a conversation about what is happening Gaza right now. Ali previously spoke with us in Season 1 episodes 9 and 10, and shares his perspective as a queer, Muslim, Palestinian man.We recorded this episode on October 19, 12 days after the attack by Hamas on Israeli civilians, and 10 days into the displace

My guest today is Dr. Eman Abdelhadi, professor at the University of Chicago, author of a forthcoming academic book called Impossible Futures: Why Women Leave American Muslim Communities, as well as the co-author of a speculative fiction novel called Everything for Everyone. Eman is also the subject of a documentary called Coming Around that is now, if you’re listening to this at

A conversation with Lamya H, author of Hijab Butch Blues, which came out earlier this year. Lamya is South Asian and grew up in a wealthy Arab Gulf state. The book is a series of memoir essays drawn from their life, told alongside beautifully personal, queer readings of stories of the prophets from the Quran. Find Layma on:Instagram @lamyaisangryTwitter @lamyaisangryOr at www.lamya

My guest today is Mohammad Mertaban, a proud, publicly out, queer Muslim man. He’s a physician, a father, and a devoutly religious person who always knew he was gay but followed the path laid out by his community’s interpretation of his faith. He was married for 8 years, and only came out in his mid-30s. And, because of his standing in the community, and how he struggled, he ma

My guest today is Mohammad Mertaban, a proud, publicly out, queer Muslim man. He’s a physician, a father, and a devoutly religious person who always knew he was gay but followed the path laid out by his community’s interpretation of his faith. He was married for 8 years, and only came out in his mid-30s. And, because of his standing in the community, and how he struggled, he ma

Join me for a conversation with Bushra Rehman, author of Roses, in the Mouth of a Lion, out recently from Flatiron Books and already up for a number of literary awards and accolades! I greatly appreciated Bushra's warmth, expansive way of thinking and being, and generosity of spirit, and found so many resonances with the book and in this conversation. Roses, in the Mouth of a