Memoir of Family, Revolution, and Coming Out During the Arab Spring

In the summer of 2011, as the Arab Spring uprisings swept across the Middle East, I was a closeted lesbian living in Cairo. I had grown up in a conservative Muslim family, and the thought of coming out to them terrified me. But the revolution had given me a new sense of hope and possibility. I had seen firsthand how people could come together to fight for change, and I knew that I couldn't keep living a lie.

A Tale of Two Omars: A Memoir of Family, Revolution, and Coming Out During the Arab Spring

by Omar Sharif Jr

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1306 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	224 pages

FREE

My memoir, *The Map of Salt and Stars*, tells the story of my coming out during the Arab Spring. It is a story of family, revolution, and identity. It is a story of love, loss, and hope.

I was born in Cairo in 1989. My parents were both devout Muslims, and they raised me in a traditional Islamic household. I was taught that homosexuality was a sin, and that I should never act on my same-sex attractions. As a child, I often felt different from my peers. I didn't understand why I was attracted to girls, and I was afraid of what would happen if anyone found out.

When I was 16, I met a girl named Noor. She was the first person I ever told about my sexuality. Noor was understanding and supportive, and she helped me to come to terms with who I was. We started dating in secret, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I could be myself.

But our relationship was short-lived. In 2007, Noor's parents found out about us and forbade her from seeing me. I was heartbroken, and I felt like my whole world had been turned upside down.

In the years that followed, I struggled to come to terms with my sexuality. I went through periods of depression and self-denial. I tried to convince myself that I was straight, but I couldn't ignore the truth of who I was.

In 2011, the Arab Spring uprisings gave me a new sense of hope. I saw firsthand how people could come together to fight for change, and I knew that I couldn't keep living a lie. I decided to come out to my family.

My parents were devastated. They couldn't understand why I would choose to be gay. They told me that I was bringing shame on our family, and that I would never be accepted by society. I was hurt and angry, but I knew that I had to stand up for myself. I refused to let them silence me.

I started to write about my experiences as a lesbian in Egypt. I wrote about the challenges I faced, and the discrimination I endured. I wrote about the love I had for my family, and the pain of their rejection. My writing was therapeutic, and it helped me to process my emotions.

In 2014, I published my memoir, *The Map of Salt and Stars*. The book was a critical success, and it was translated into several languages. It has been praised for its honesty, its insights into Egyptian society, and its celebration of LGBTQ+ identity.

Since the publication of my memoir, I have spoken out about LGBTQ+ rights in Egypt and around the world. I have testified before the United Nations, and I have worked with organizations to support LGBTQ+ refugees and asylum seekers.

I am proud of the work that I have done to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ issues. I believe that everyone deserves to live with dignity and respect, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. I hope that my story will inspire others to come out and live authentically.

The Arab Spring was a time of great change and upheaval. It was a time of both hope and despair. But for me, it was also a time of profound personal growth. It was a time when I found my voice and my identity. I am grateful for the experiences I have had, and I am committed to continuing to fight for a more just and equitable world.

A Tale of Two Omars: A Memoir of Family, Revolution, and Coming Out During the Arab Spring

by Omar Sharif Jr

4.4 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1306 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	224 pages

FREE