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68 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
# Thinking Outside The Binary – even in the Arab world
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<small>2025-01-15 | [@auxiliaryfrfr](/@auxiliaryfrfr)</small>
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<span class="fal fa-language"></span>
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<a href="https://ar.pronouns.page/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%AF%D9%88%D9%86%D8%A9/%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AB%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%A9" target="_blank" rel="noopener" class="badge text-bg-info">العربية</a>
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<div class="alert alert-warning">
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<strong>Content warning:</strong>
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This blog post addresses intolerance against the LGBTQ+ community
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</div>
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## My Beginning
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Living in a world where tradition and our community alike try to dictate so much of who we're expected to be, pronouns can feel like an act of defiance.
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For someone like me, navigating life in the Arab world while questioning my gender and sexual identity,
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pronouns are more than just words, they're a **crucial lifeline** that help you discover who you are.
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It mattered even more to me in Arabic, as you can't really speak with anyone without having to use gendered verbs and adjectives.
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This made conversing in English (a language that has a lot of gender neutral alternatives) preferable to me,
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as I was unable to explore my identity in a community that wasn't willing to hear me out.
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Throughout my childhood, I was always told who I was supposed to be: masculine, strong, fitting into cultural norms that never felt right.
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It wasn't just about how I looked or behaved; it was about being a "man" in a world that's scared and somehow angered by differences.
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There was always a voice telling me, **"This isn't you."**
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## Desperation & Hope
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When I first looked more into other pronouns, it felt like I had finally found a way to express myself.
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I didn't have to force myself to be something I wasn't.
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However, the fear of punishment and harassment kept me from being open about my identity.
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The Arabic language itself posed another challenge, as there are no *traditional* nonbinary or gender-neutral pronouns.
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Even when I found Arab people online who wouldn't immediately go berserk at me, they would still see me as either "هو" (he) or "هي" (she),
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and explaining why neither (or both) fit would feel like trying to teach a foreign language.
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There were times when I thought, "Why bother?" The fear of rejection, having to explain myself over and over.
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It sometimes felt easier to stay silent. But **silence isn't freedom.**
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Embracing my pronouns and encouraging others to do the same became an act of **resistance.**
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Not just for me, but for everyone in the Arab world **(and beyond)** who feels out of place in the binary.
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Breaking cultural norms is never easy. I've faced confusion, rejection, and even hostility online.
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"Why complicate things?" people ask. But it's not just a matter of words.
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It's about **honouring** who someone truly is, not what society says they should be.
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Despite the challenges, I've found **hope.** Online communities, even in Arabic-speaking spaces, are starting to grow.
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I've even found a couple Arab friends who are like me.
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People are creating new words and adjusting language to reflect identities that have always *existed* but were never *recognized.*
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It's not perfect, but it's **progress.**
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## Final Remarks
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If you're struggling with your pronouns or identity in a similar environment, just remember that it'll all be okay in the end.
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You do not owe anyone an explanation, and if you feel like your language or culture doesn't have room for you, remember that **language changes.**
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*We* have the power to shape it.
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To allies: asking someone's pronouns may *seem* small, but it has a **monumental** impact.
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It's about __recognizing and respecting__ them, and that act of kindness contributes to a cultural shift.
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On behalf of our community, **thank you.**
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**Pronouns are our truth.** They're part of our story, our struggle, and our freedom.
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I hope that by sharing my experience, others can feel less alone in their own journey. |