Elias Jahshan in-conversation with Omar Sakr and Mohammad Awad

This ground-breaking anthology features the compelling and courageous memoirs of eighteen queer Arab writers – some internationally bestselling, others using pseudonyms. Here, we find heart-warming connections and moments of celebration alongside essays exploring the challenges of being LGBTQ+ and Arab. From a military base in the Gulf to loving whispers caught between the bedsheets; and from touring overseas as a drag queen to a concert in Cairo where the rainbow flag was raised to a crowd of thousands, this collection celebrates the true colours of a vibrant Arab queer experience.

Elias Jahshan (he/him) is a Palestinian-Lebanese journalist and writer. He is the editor of groundbreaking This Arab is Queer: An Anthology by LGBTQ+ Arab Writers (Saqi Books; 2022), which was a finalist in the 2023 Lambda Literary Awards in the USA, and shortlisted for the 2023 Bread & Roses Award in the UK. He is a former editor of Star Observer, Australia’s longest-running LGBTQ+ media outlet, and his short memoir ‘Coming Out Palestinian’ was anthologised in Arab Australian Other (Picador, 2019). He has also written freelance for outlets including The Guardian, Gay Times, Raseef22, Shado Mag, and My Kali. Born in Sydney and raised in Parramatta, he now lives in London.

Mohammad Awad (AKA 3AWADI) is a writer, director, poet, playwright and musician who’s running out of ways to express himself. He has written and directed short films such as The Flower, The Messenger and Beauty Marks. Published in an anthology series ‘Arab, Australian, Other’, as well as The University of Sydney Student Anthology 'Diversity’, he is also one of the proud editors and authors of the award-winning Mental Health collection- 'Admissions'. A NSW State finalist in the Australian Poetry Slam, Mohammad has also been honoured as Australia's National Youth Poetry Champion.

Omar Sakr does not have a bio in the genocide of Palestine. Redirect your eyes, your mind, your heart and vision to the liberation of the oppressed.