This Queer Arab Family: An Anthology by LGBTQ+ Arab Writers

by Elias Jahshan (Editor)

In Arab culture, tradition often dictates an individual's role in a family, with personal desires subsumed in favour of unity. So, what happens when Queer Arabs challenge and re-imagine these expectations?

This Queer Arab Family celebrates the beauty of chosen kin and the everyday acts of care and survival that bind Queer Arabs to each other. Here, ten LGBTQ+ writers from across the Arab world and diaspora redefine what family looks like. From raising children with mum and mum, to becoming an OnlyFans star and building a non-binary belly dancing robot, these writers illuminate, through their own lived experiences, how queer joy and community can be found in the most unexpected places.


Fierce, vibrant and unapologetic, This Queer Arab Family honours the spirit of those who, despite challenges, build community and family on their own terms.

Genres: LGBT, Nonfiction, Queer, Anthologies

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 18, 2025

About the author

Elias Jahshan (he/him) is a Palestinian Lebanese journalist and writer. He is the editor of the anthologies THIS ARAB IS QUEER (Saqi, 2022) and THIS QUEER ARAB FAMILY (Saqi, 2025).

THIS ARAB IS QUEER was nominated for a 2023 Lambda Literary Award (LGBTQ Anthology category) in the US, shortlisted in the 2023 Bread & Roses Award in the UK, and described as "ground breaking" by TIME Magazine.

Elias's writing has been published in anthologies including Arab, Australian, Other: Stories on Race and Identity (ed. Randa Abdel-Fattah & Sara Saleh; Picador, 2019) and Ask the Night for a Dream: Palestinian Writing From the Diaspora (ed. Susan Muaddi Darraj; Palestine Writes Press, 2024).

Elias is also a former editor of Star Observer, Australia’s longest-running queer media outlet. He has written for The Guardian, Gay Times, Attitude, Shodo Mag, Raseef22, The New Arab and My Kali, among others. Born and raised in Sydney, he lives in London.

Follow him on Instagram: @elias_jahshan

Reviews

[James Besanvalle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of authentic and important stories from queer Arab writers across the world, powerfully written in their own words and exploring their unique perspectives. Devoured it and couldn’t recommend it enough.

[Pierre (pierrereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I literally devoured this book in one single day? As someone who religiously does not read nonfiction, and least of all collections of essays?
That should tell you that this one was something else!

This book had been staring at me at work since it came out, mainly because as a queer Arab man who lived someplace he couldn't actually be his true and authentic self, stories from other queer Arabs have always made me curious because of course I wasn't the only one but that's not something you're aware of until you're properly away and have some distance to actually examine that.

I liked some stories more than others, naturally, but my favorite one was Zeid's.
I genuinely related to the first half of his story, at least lol, since there were multiple parallels between my life back home and the getting out and his.

[b.c. pellegrini · Rating 5 out of 5]

“My life is made up of people I love who I never see, families constantly scattering. I am always heartbroken and I am always finding.”

a great great great read. standouts to me are “my mother’s pronouns” by abu leila and “who is it that you love?” by sinin nakhle.

[Shannon Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profoundly moving book filled with distinct voices. Every chapter was a revelation, but edited so well that you could really feel the author's style and voice. An incredibly important book.

[Medhat The Fanatic Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I literally got This Queer Arab Family yesterday and instantly started reading. To say that I loved the book is an understatement.

I fell in love with this anthology, not a single essay wasn't so powerful, soul-enriching, and impactful. It allowed me to deconstruct the society I live in, showed me that no boundary could ever stand between a Queer Arab and their family when it comes to many Queer Arabs out there. This book is a protest letter and an affirmation of the resilience of the Queer Arabs and their refusal to erasure.

My favorite essays varied from Zeid Al-Nasr's piece on joining Only-Fans; Melhem Hasan's beautiful experience in Mecca to become a Hajj and his grieving for his father; and other pieces about the journey of some authors to become parents in a same-sex family.

[Aaron Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jahshan has done it again. A must read.

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5

i was tearing up, this anthology mad me so happy and sad at the same time