Swana Dykes

SWANA Dykes is a bold anthology of creative work by lesbians and queer folks from South West Asian and North African (SWANA) diasporas. Editors Khadija Pitts-Ceesay and Nikki Luna deftly assemble creative and artistic works that envision a world beyond militarized borders and that reflect the powerful and poignant ancestral narratives that these artists preserve through their work. In SWANA Dykes, artists and writers investigate many urgent topics: the sacredness of transgender people and gender non-conformity, resistance against militarism, policing, and genocide, the exploitative Kafala system, and archives as a tool of liberation. Writings in SWANA Dykes make connections between different oppressive systems that seek to isolate, illustrating how interconnectedness is a necessary facet of movement work. Refusing compartmentalization, these artists explore their personal experiences of sex, familial bonds, fashion, artistry, and relationships. Featuring work from first-time and previously published artists, SWANA Dykes is a compelling addition to artistic conversations of queerness, gender nonconformity, anti-militarism, SWANA heritage, and more.