Are You This? Or Are You This?

When Madian Al Jazerah came out to his Arab parents, his mother had one question. Are you this? she asked, cupping her hand. Or are you this? she motioned with a poking finger. If youre the poker, she said, you arent a homosexual. For Madian, this opposition reveals not who he is, but patriarchy, power, and societys efforts to fit us into neat boxes. He is Palestinian, but wasnt raised in Palestine. He is Kuwaiti-born, but not Kuwaiti. Hes British-educated, but not a Westerner. Hes a Muslim, but cant embrace the Islam of today. Hes a gay man, out of the closet but still living in the shadows: he has left Jordan, his home, three times in fear of his life. Madian has searched for acceptance and belonging around the world, joining new communities in San Francisco, New York, Hawaii and Tunisia, yet always finding himself pulled back to Amman. This frank and moving memoir narrates his battles with adversity, racism and homophobia, and a rich life lived with humour, dignity and grace.