Lamya is a practising Muslim and writes about reading the entire Quran during Ramadan, going to the local Islamic Centre for Eid prayer and reciting the Ayatul Kursi when scared.

Hijab Butch Blues - Springer Lamya H.: Hijab Butch Blues - Springer

It feels the same when the author writes about being in an LGBTQIA+ centre for a poetry event, and two women ask how Lamya identifies in terms of sexuality. Thankfully, Lamya manages to avoid the question, but the couple then patronisingly thank them for being “such a good ally”.

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The memoir swings, pendulum-like, between her own story and her reflections on the stories at the heart of Islam, stories that shape her understanding of what it means (or can mean) to be female and Muslim. This pairing of personal and theological truths is powerful and respectful of both individual and cultural identity. Additionally, as mentioned Lamya is hijabi. The purpose of hijab (as with the shaving and covering of hair for Orthodox Jews) is to cover your beauty and femininity because men cannot be expected to control their carnal urges. Right there by adopting those practices women are advertising inherent inequality of the sexes, women as temptresses, men who have to set rules to contain them. More confusing, the hijab is a symbol of womanhood, and Lamya says they do not identify female. And the wearing of the hijab for them is not a nod to history, tradition or family - the other women in Lamya's family do not wear hijab, and they urge Lamya not to both because anti-Muslim prejudice is common in America and the hijab limits their options and because they think Lamya would look prettier and attract a husband if they lost the scarf. (Lamya is totally closeted with family.) And don't get me started on her comments about Maryam AS. Apparently, if a woman doesn't like a man, she is automatically a lesbian. It's not like women can value their own independence, or might be of the ace spectrum, or just aren't really looking for any romantic relationships. But this is the same community, the same family, that Lamya notes would preside over funeral prayers and who they stand side-by-side with during long Ramadan prayers.

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H. | Goodreads

Nico Hall On Work and Class in “The Haunting of Bly Manor” " Elisabeth, yes! Thank you. That’s very true. It feels like even though the queer characters were central to the storyline,…" The contrast between those upbringings is night and day, of empowerment and disempowerment respectively. Look, if you want to write a book about your experiences as an LGBTQIA Muslim, go ahead. But newsflash; it is possible to talk about your experiences WITHOUT blatantly disrespecting a whole religion, y'know.

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Brie On No Filter: Let’s See How the Queer Celebs Dressed for Halloween! " Yes Meg Stalter! I love homemade costumes involving mustaches! And thanks for including Lucy Dacus, love to see fresh faces…"

Butch Memoirs To Check Out in Honor of “Hijab Butch Blues” Butch Memoirs To Check Out in Honor of “Hijab Butch Blues”

Searing . . . a bold story of taking hold of one’s life and building something completely unique.” — BuzzFeed Like, how is it that nobody is talking about how disrespectful those comments about Allah's gender ate? Yes, it's true that we are unaware of His gender. We use He/Him/His for our own convenience. But apparently mankind's unawareness of gender= non-binary god.I think that’s what relates your work to spirituality. When you’re true to yourself, you might need to define your own moral compass. That’s a huge responsibility, because you’re figuring yourself out outside of a context that people have defined for you previously.