The Third Muslim
Queer and Trans* Muslim Narratives of Resistance & Resilience
Multimedia Exhibition & Event Series
January 25 to February 22, 2018
The Third Muslim debuted at SOMArts Cultural Center on January 25th, 2018 with a multimedia exhibition and a series of public events with performances, borne from an urge to insist upon the transformative potential of self-representation, revealing the multiplicity of Muslim and queer, trans*identities and experiences. The exhibition featured 14 exhibiting artists ranging from Syrian to Somali to Pakistani heritage, and challenged gender-based oppression within Islam, as well as racism (specifically, colorism and anti-blackness) and Islamophobia within mainstream queer and trans* communities.
Public Programs
Opening Reception & performances
The opening reception featured poetry by Sarah O’Neal and Serena W. Lin, two Bay Area based queer Muslim writers, as well as remarks from the curators. In addition, artists from the Poster Syndicate created live screen prints onsite, and each print was available for reception attendees to take home.
panel discussion
On February 8, we held our first public event, Queering Islam: A Community Conversation, a panel representing an intergenerational, multi-identity group of community members who have made their own paths as queer Muslims in the realms of faith, fashion, leather and kink, often creating their own meaning and (sub)communities where none existed before. Panelists included Imam Daayiee Abdullah, Ali Mushtaq and Parisa Parnian, moderated by performance artist and drag queen, Faluda Islam.
closing reception & performance
On February 17th, our last public event was feature length performance titled, Coming Out Muslim: Radical Acts of Love, co-conceived and performed by Wazina Zondon and Terna Hamida, the closing reception and storytelling performance was accompanied by a talkback with audience members subsequent to the performance.