This month, we are reading the legendary “Hijab Butch Blues” by Lamya H.!
We seem to like choosing memoirs for this book club… Hijab Butch Blues is a thoughtful and personal exploration of queerness, spirituality, Islam, and community (and all the intersections of this). It has quickly become a must-read in many queer POC circles and that is why we chose it for our POC book club. So join us for an open discussion about this book and the ways that faith (Islam, Christianity, Hinduism and broader ideas of spirituality) and queerness do/don't mesh in our lives.
⚜️Here’s the plan:
Read the book (if you can) in time for our next session (find it here).
If you don’t have time to read, listen to the podcasts mentioned below or read a few articles and reviews to get the gist (find the links below).
If the discussion feels heavy at any point, feel free to take a moment for yourself, there will be plenty of space to do this.
If you’d like to grab a copy, it's available at Argonaut Bookshop in Leith, Edinburgh. We also have a couple of free copies which we can lend you so please don’t hesitate to request this.
This space is specifically for POC readers; allies can support us by attending our next event or donating directly to Saffron Cherry.
⚜️Recommendations:
Hijab Butch Blues - Lamya H.
Parable of the Sower - Octavia Butler
Preacher’s Daughter album - Ethel Cain
Hindu Nation and its Queers: Caste, Islamophobia, and De/coloniality in India - Nishant Upadhyay
(pdf available on request)
Conclave (2024)
“Queer Muslim Women Reflect On Navigating Their Faith and Sexuality” - Zainab
Pray the gay away ft @RevJide -Two Twos podcast
Episode 161: Lamya H - Gender Reveal podcast
Ep. 253 I Tend to Write About It with Lamya H. - The Stacks podcast
⚜️Event Details:
DATE - Monday 28th April 6:30-9pm
THEME - Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya. H.
VENUE - Roots: Globalscope Edinburgh, 9 South College Street, Edinburgh, EH9 9AA
⚜️Venue Accessibility:
Roots is accessible through a small ramp at the entrance. The event will take place in the front room which is accessible via wheelchair.
There will be hot drinks and snacks at this event so please notify us if you have allergies or dietary requirements.
Face masks are encouraged but we'll have spares on hand if you forget. Please reconsider attending this event if you feel that you may have been in contact with coronavirus recently - you can always tune in next month!
There are gender-neutral toilets which are accessible via staircase.