An Archive of their Own: Arab Identity Negotiation in Online Fandom

Abstract

Online fandom has always been a space where queer voices congregate to find community. This thesis explores the significance of online fandom spaces for queer Arab individuals to express their sexual and gender identities. Through in-depth interviews with Arab fans, this study reveals several key reasons why these communities are vital for queer Arab fans. Firstly, Arab fans actively resist heteronormative and homophobic structures prevalent in their offline contexts through the creation of fan labor. Secondly, the queerness encountered within fandom, whether through interactions with other fans or via queer interpretations of fictional characters, serves as a resource for Arab fans in understanding and defining their own identities. Finally, the research highlights a paradoxical experience: while finding security in their identities within these online fandoms, Arab fans often report feeling othered within predominantly Western queer fandom spaces. These findings underscore the complex and multifaceted role of online fandom in facilitating queer Arab self-expression and identity formation, while also revealing the persistence of exclusionary dynamics within broader fan cultures.