The Queer Arab Glossary

The Queer Arab Glossary is the first published collection of Arabic LGBTQ+ slang. This bold guide captures the lexicon of the queer Arab community in all its differences, quirks and felicities. Featuring fascinating facts and anecdotes, it contains more than 300 terms in both English and Arabic, ranging from the humorous to the harrowing, serious to tongue-in-cheek, pejorative to endearing. Here, leading queer Arab artists, academics, activists and writers offer insightful essays situating this groundbreaking glossary in a modern social and political context.

With beautiful, witty illustrations, The Queer Arab Glossary is a powerful response to pervasive myths and stereotypes around sexuality and an invitation to take a journey into queerness throughout the Arab world.

Contributors include Saqer Almarri, Nisrine Chaer, Sophie Chamas, Rana Issa, Adam HajYahia, Suneela Mubayi, Mejdulene Bernard Shomali, Hamed Sinno and Abdellah Taa.

The Queer Arab Glossary was made possible with the generous support of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture AFAC, Mophradat, Bashar Assaf and Mohammed Fakhro.

About the Author

Marwan Kaabour is an independent graphic designer and visual artist from Beirut, currently living and working in London. His work with institutions, brands and individuals in the art and cultural sector ranges from creating visual identities, publication and exhibition design, to marketing campaigns, wayfinding systems and art direction for both print and online projects. In 2019, he launched Takweer, a platform that explores queer narratives in Arab history and popular culture. Marwan moved to London in 2011 to pursue a master's degree in Graphic Design from the London College of Communication, then joined Barnbrook - one of the UK's most formidable and celebrated design agencies - as Designer and later Senior Designer. He founded his own studio in 2020.