Public Lecture: 'The Power of Representation: Why Syrian Queer Stories Matter in a Global Context'

with queer Syrian writer Khaled Alesmael

This event is part of our programme supporting Global Majority and Underrepresented Writers. Khaled Alesmael will also deliver a masterclass—‘Rooted in Words: Writing in Your Mother Tongue While in Exile’—on Tuesday 11^th February at 2pm. Further details are available here.

This public lecture explores the transformative potential of queer literature and life-writing for societies and individuals, with a particular emphasis on Syrian queer stories and their significance in a global context. Khaled Alesmael, an acclaimed queer Syrian writer and storyteller, reflects on how representation in literature fosters empathy, challenges prejudice, and advocates for greater visibility of marginalised identities. Central to the lecture is an exploration of translation, not only as a bridge between languages and cultures but also as a tool for activism and advocacy.

This lecture explores questions central to both Khaled’s work and to queer literature and life-writing more broadly:

How do queer stories bridge cultural divides and foster empathy?

How does translation expand queer stories’ reach and impact?

What role do literary festivals, the media, and academia play in amplifying these narratives?

This event will be introduced and moderated by Mneera Saud.

Speaker Details:

Khaled Alesmael is a Syrian author, journalist, and short filmmaker based in London. An acclaimed queer writer, he is known for his evocative storytelling and commitment to amplifying Arab queer voices. His debut novel, Selamlik (2018), regarded as one of the first homoerotic perspectives on the Syrian war, tells the story of Furat's journey from war-torn Syria to Sweden as a refugee, reflecting many parallels to Khaled’s own experiences. The book, whose title evokes hope for change and freedom, has been widely celebrated as a powerful account of emergent Arab queer identity, with numerous critics drawing comparisons between Khaled and Jean Genet’s writing. Selamlik has been translated into English, Swedish, and German. Selamlik has received notable acclaim as a ‘Future Classic’ (Dagans Nyheter): it was shortlisted for the German SKOUTZ Award in 2021, and in December 2024, its English translation was named among Gay’s The Word's ‘Books of the Year’.

Khaled’s second book, Gateway to the Sea (2020), explores the lives of ten gay men from the Middle East and North Africa, providing unique and deeply personal narratives of identity and displacement. Beyond his literary contributions, Alesmael’s work as a journalist has appeared in outlets such as New Statesman and taz, and he frequently lectures on queer literature and Arab identity.

Mneera Abdullah Saud - Humanity in Action

Mneera Saud (she/her) is an MSt candidate in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on Arab feminist mobilisations against interlocking systems of patriarchal, authoritarian, and technological oppression.

Outside of academia, Mneera has been heavily involved in refugee advocacy and organising against sexual violence and tech-mediated abuse. Her interests lie in community-based approaches to care, ancient and modern Middle Eastern languages, language and the formation of cultural-political identity, and technology and feminist justice.