“Hijab Butch Blues” Author on Being Queer and Muslim, Revisiting Prophetic Stories, Questioning Faith, and Community Care.
“Hijab Butch Blues” Author on Being Queer and Muslim, Revisiting Prophetic Stories, Questioning Faith, and Community Care.
Welcome to our *second* episode with an anonymous guest. The brilliant author of the memoir “Hijab Butch Blues.”
Lamya H is queer, non-binary, and Muslim. Yes. There are people who are all 3. They are a writer and organizer based in New York City. Lamya’s work has appeared in Los Angeles Review of Books, Salon, Vice, Vox, and others.
Lamya has received fellowships from Lambda Literary, Aspen Words and Queer|Arts. They are organizing work centers around creating spaces for LGBTQ+ Muslims, fighting Islamophobia, and abolishing prisons.
We recorded this conversation during the month of Ramadan and reflected on the similarities between Muslim community care and Queer community care, the common American-Muslim struggle of double lives, and compartmentalizing identities. We got into the concept of questioning faith, even our personal relationships with hijab.
I read 'Hijab Butch Blues' in less than 2 days. The writing is profound, personal, and clear. Lamya poses questions throughout the book for people of all faiths. And it’s no surprise that the book was featured as Roxane Gay's March 2023 selection of 'The Audacious Book Club.”
I also feel a deep sense of urgency with this episode. Homophobia and transphobia are rampant in the United States, and it has been weighing on my heart heavily the role many American Muslims have been playing in this. I believe it is more important now than ever to amplify the HUMAN STORIES of community members who need our protection and love.
May we always be a protection and light for each other. May we always lead with love.
And…may you enjoy this episode of Podcast Noor with Lamya H.
Transcripts + Listening: www.ays.media/podcastnoor/lamyah
🎶 Theme Music: "Thunderdome (W.T.A)" by Portugal. The Man / @portugaltheman
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Some Questions Asked in This Episode:
What does it mean to be queer and Muslim to you today? How would you have answered that when you were younger?
What does community care look like for yourself?
What is Hijab to you?
And so how do you advise people who are navigating compartmentalizing their identities, or hiding parts of who they are, especially from family?
What role did writing play in your life?
How have you redefined your anger?