Queens of Beirut (English edition)
Renske Diks

Beirut is a city full of contrast: a Mediterranean metropolis with visible scars from the past, from the civil war (1975-1990) and the recent explosion in the port of Beirut (2020). A vibrant city, burdened by one of the worst financial crises in history.

Queens of Beirut shows how the local drag community moves through this city. How do the Lebanese drag queens relate to each other, society, and the current political-economic situation? Meet Robyn Hoes, Anissa Krana, Narcissa, Latiza Bombé and Emma Gration, and their stories about trauma, love, family, resilience and above all, being yourself.

‘Renske Diks flawlessly sketches the Beirut that I also know so well. Through the eyes and gripping and hopeful stories of drag queens, she shows us this Middle Eastern city, raw, with all of its faces and with all the extremes that go with it: Beirut leaves no one untouched.’
MERIJN TOL, AUTHOR OF CAFÉ MAZAHAR & BEIROET

This book will be published in May 2023.