“The Queer Arab Glossary” with Marwan Kaabour

Queer Lit

Graphic designer Marwan Kaabour has created a stunning book that is so much more than your average glossary. Join me and Marwan to talk about what makes The Queer Arab Glossary so special: from the illustrations that powerfully reclaim slurs to the essays that explore the queer methodology of the book. It was an absolute pleasure chatting to Marwan about the journey that led him to start his amazing platform @takweer_ and learn about how the community he created through Takweer helped him shape the Glossary.
Listen now to learn about Marwan’s favourite word in the book (Qāyiso-l-mā’), my favourite word (boya) and follow @ustaz_marwan and @queerlitpodcast on Instagram to learn more.
References:
@takweer_
Haitham Haddad
Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam
Lot
Qāyiso-l-mā’
boya
Māl al-Ḥūṭa
Bahrain
Sophie Chamas
@ustaz_marwan
Cinema Fouad
Mohamed Soueid
Oscar Al-Halabiye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDtRCpWxB1Q

Questions you should be able to respond to after listening:

1. Why did Marwan begin the queer Arab glossary?
2. Which three notions of queer Arabic language does Marwan speak about when explaining the submission process for the glossary?
3. How do we define when a word is hurtful or playful? Why does Marwan decide he cannot make that distinction in the glossary?
4. Which countries make up the Arab speaking world? We mention some of them in the episode. Please look up the rest.
5. Marwan speaks about water as a central element in the book. Why is that? Can you relate to this?