Being queer and somali by Afdhere Jama

Book set in Baardheere, Somalia. Reviewed on 2019/05: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw9-MIqHk2U/

I have heard of #afdherejama before through his work with the #lgbtmuslim magazine #huriyah and his book #queerjihad . However this is my first time actually reading him and wow! His work here with #beingqueerandsomali is more of an editor than a writer. I really want to emphasize the importance of editors when it comes to the curation of anthologies. An editor can make or kill an #anthology because of the stories she/he chooses, the order in which they are presented and the cohesive theme bringing all these seemingly disparate stories together. #jama excelled immensely in his work here. Being Queer and Somali derives its powerful and compelling force because it delves into both the #queer and #somali conversation while intertwining these conversations with others: the #immigrantconversation, the #refugeeconversation, the civil war conversation, etc. The #intersectionality of all these identities, belongings and struggles are spelled out in this tiny yet deep book. How he does it? Well through the non-fiction #vignettes of real people living day to day where their realities take them: from #mogadishuto #hargeisa from #bosaso to #kismayo from #nairobi to #milanfrom #minneapolis to #seattle from a certain past to a possible future. The fact that these stories manage to touch so many different angles and perspectives and identities make this anthology one to read ASAP. I can’t wait to pick up his Queer Jihad book, probably soon. #highlyrecommended#queersomalia #genderqueerlit#somaliliterature #transsomalia#lgbtqisomalia #lgbtsomalia#transgendersomalia #gaysomalia