Between Banat with Mejdulene B. Shomali

Mejdulene B. Shomali, Assistant Professor, Department of Gender, Women's, + Sexuality Studies, UMBC

This talk examines homoeroticism and nonnormative sexualities between Arab women in transnational Arab literature, art, and film. It considers women, femmes, and nonbinary people who disrupt stereotypical and Orientalist representations of the “Arab woman" and reveals the ways heteropatriarchy and nationalism foreclose queer Arab futures. It attends to Arab women’s narration of desire and identity to substantiate queer Arab histories. Mejdulene Shomali argues that prioritizing transnational collectivity over politics of authenticity, respectability, and inclusion can help lead toward queer freedom.

Biography: Mejdulene Bernard Shomali is a queer Palestinian poet and Assistant Professor in the Department of Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Maryland Baltimore County.

Image description: A black and white photo of a Palestinian woman smiling while standing behind a podium.

UMBC is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive environment for all students, staff, and visitors. If you would like to request a disability-based accommodation on site or have questions about this event or its location, please contact us at dreshercenter@umbc.edu.

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