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A group of people in New York City rally in support of Palestine.

Photo: Hugo Breyer

Trans and queer activists of the Palestinian diaspora are leading the movement against the horrific genocide in Gaza. With social media making their voices and stories internationally accessible, we should all heed their calls to action and support their work. Here are 10 trans and queer Palestinians—artists, activists, writers, influencers—to follow on social media to do just that. 

 

Author Elias Jahshan poses for a portrait. His arms are crossed as he smiles into the camera.

Photo: Instagram @elias_jahshan

1. Elias Jahshan

Instagram | Threads | X 

Elias Jahshan is a Palestinian-Lebanese Australian writer based in London. He is the editor of the 2022 anthology of LGBTQ+ Arab writers This Arab Is Queer, which was a Lambda Literary Award finalist.

 

 

Poet George Abraham poses in ared Keffiyeh.

Photo: Instagram @intifadabatata

2. George Abraham

Instagram | Threads | Website

George Abraham is a poet and performance artist in Massachusetts who is the executive editor of Mizna, a journal publishing Arab, Southwest Asian, and North African voices. Their 2020 debut poetry collection Birthright won the Arab American Book Award and was a Lambda Literary Award finalist. Look for Heaven Looks Like Us: Palestinian Poetry coming in 2025.

 

 

Author Hannah Moushabeck smiles in a library. She poses with her arms outstretched, holding a black and white Keffiyeh behind her like wings.

Photo: Instagram @hannahmoushabeck

3. Hannah Moushabeck

Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | X | Website

Hannah Moushabeck is a book worker whose first picture book, Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine, came out in 2023. She is the co-owner of Interlink Publishing, the only Palestinian-owned book publisher in the U.S.

 

 

Activist Jake Gyllenhalal poses on a rooftop, the city behind him. His right hand is held up in a peace sign.

Photo: Instagram @officialjakegyllenhalal

4. Jake Gyllenhalal

Instagram | Substack

The activist who goes by the clever handle @officialjakegyllenhalal shares resources, educational content, mutual aid requests, and event info with her 93,000+ followers.

 

 

Artist Juliet Orchid poses with a smile, a black and white Keffiyeh wrapped around the top of her head.

Photo: Instagram @julietorchid

5. Juliet Orchid

Instagram

Juliet Orchid is an interdisciplinary artist for justice and resistance, including work in music and theater. She is also a healer, chef, reiki practitioner, and educator. 

 

 

Drag artist Mama Ganuush speaks into a megaphone at Pride 2024. They are wearing a rainbow keffiyeh around their shoulders.

Photo: Instagram @mamaganuush

6. Mama Ganuush

Instagram | Facebook | Website

Mama Ganuush is an artist and community organizer based in San Francisco. They are a drag performer and the co-founder of the HALA (Heritage Activists Liberation Artists) Collective, a queer group of over 40 activist-artists for intersectional liberation. 

 

 

Chef Marcelle G Afram smiles into the camera as he stands against a mural.

Photo: Instagram @marcelle_g

7. Marcelle G Afram

Instagram

Marcelle G Afram is a chef who launched their pop-up Palestinian-inspired catering business, Shababi, in D.C. in 2021. He also co-founded Hospitality for Humanity, a group of Palestinian and allied food, beverage, and hospitality workers using their skills to help Gaza. 

 

 

Photographer Noor Aldayeh takes a selfie. They are looking away from the camera and have a black and white keffiyeh around their shoulders.

Photo: Instagram @nooraldayeh

8. Noor Aldayeh

Instagram | TikTok | X | Substack | Website

Noor Aldayeh is a Jordanian-Palestinian-Syrian American photographer from Los Angeles now in New York City who is also an artist, writer, and scholar. 

 

 

Artist Xaytun Ennasr speaks into the handheld microphone of a megaphone.

Photo: Instagram @fallahipunk

9. Xaytun Ennasr

Instagram | Website

Xaytun Ennasr is an artist and activist in D.C. Her work includes drawings, ceramics, and video games that center Palestinian liberation and intersectional resistance movements.

 

 

Poet and activist Yaffa As speaks into the camera. They are wearing a black and white keffiyeh around their head and their green eyeshadow matches their earrings.

Photo: TikTok @yaffasutopia

10. Yaffa

Instagram | TikTok

Mx. Yaffa is a poet and activist who has published multiple books whose sales benefit Palestinian causes—Blood Orange, Desecrated Poppies, Inara: Light of Utopia, and Whispers Beneath the Olive Grove. They’re also the executive director of the Muslim Alliance for Sexual & Gender Diversity which works to support, empower and connect LGBTQ+ Muslims. They travel extensively for poetry readings and other events so look for them in a town near you!

 

 

 

Sarah Prager
Sarah Prager
Sarah Prager is the author of the award-winning Queer, There, and Everywhere: 27 People Who Changed the World, Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People Who Made History, Kind Like Marsha: Learning from LGBTQ+ Leaders, and A Child's Introduction to Pride: The Inspirational History and Culture of the LGBTQIA+ Community. Learn more about her speaking, writing, and more at www.sarahprager.com.