Hayati: My Life / My Love - A queer Middle Eastern and North African archive Open Access
Aldayeh, Noor (Spring 2023)
Abstract
Global discussions of intersectional issues pertaining to marginalized identities have without a
doubt seen a rise in contemporary spaces, especially that of film and media, in regard to
representation within the field. One particular group which has had little to no time in this
spotlight, however, would be that of queer Middle Eastern and North African (MENA)
individuals. In the few cases where this group is in fact discussed, it often tends to be a
conversation centering the experiences of queer MENA men – still then operating in a
framework outside of the patriarchy. At large, representation of the MENA region and their
people in Western spaces (disregarding queerness) still suffers greatly from outdated, negative
stereotypes and downright harmful ideologies that have perpetuated detrimental
misinformation spreading to non-MENA audiences (see: Edward Said’s Orientalism). MENA
folks are still fighting to get any representation that doesn’t depict our people and land as
“backwards,” therefore making the stride towards any more nuanced depictions seem
incredibly out of reach.
The title of this work is the Arabic word ‘Hayati.’ In a literal sense, it translates to “My Life.”
Colloquially, it is used as a term of endearment – often used in the same context as you would
in calling someone “my love.” In this project, I will show the complexity of this double meaning
which directly speaks to the nuanced identity and belonging represented within my body of
work. I have created a photography exhibit solely featuring queer MENA women and gender
non-conforming individuals living in America – in an attempt to bring forward a group that
audiences have likely never seen explicitly before. This identity lies at the intersection of
multiple marginalizations, tackling queerness, gendered dynamics, as well as ethnic struggles all
as they pertain to one individual’s experience. The goal of this project is, at its core, to show
that people of this identity do in fact exist, and even further than that, deserve to be seen and
talked about. The public record of individuals from this identity is abysmal and often difficult to
access; queer Arab studies remains a field that is wildly niche and scarce in its resources. There
is much progress to be made both in MENA and Western spaces, in the treatment of these
individuals within our societies. It is my firm belief, however, that in order to have these
conversations, we need to know about their existence first. This project aims to be an initiating
catalyst in this necessary discussion.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Reel Bad Arabs by Jack Shaheen & Orientalism by Edward Said
III. History of Sexuality in the Arab World: The Book, as well as the Concept
IV. Female Homosexuality in the Middle East by Samar Habib
V. Birth of project and beginnings of the Creation of Hayati
VI. The Middle East in the Media: Conflicts, Censorship and Public Opinion edited by Arnim
Heinemann, Olfa Lamloum, and Anne Francoise Weber
VII. The Critical Image: Essays on Contemporary Photography edited by Carol Squires
VIII.Safe Spaces & Dual Nature of Portraiture in the Project
IX. Finding & Meeting the Hayati participants
X. Exhibit Materials – Final Twelve Images
About this Honors Thesis
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Primary PDF
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Hayati: My Life / My Love - A queer Middle Eastern and North African archive () | 2023-04-14 12:26:10 -0400 |
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Supplemental Files
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Hayati Exhibit Walkthrough (A video walkthrough and point of view of the final Hayati exhibit) | 2023-04-14 12:26:16 -0400 |
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