Lilian Diab, ‘Fetishised and fictionalised: invisibility as a veil and obstruction for femme-presenting queer refugee women in Lebanon’, 2025

Lilian Diab, J. (2025). Fetishised and fictionalised: invisibility as a veil and obstruction for femme-presenting queer refugee women in Lebanon. Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, 1–22.

Abstract

This paper delves into the nuanced experiences of feminine – or femme-presenting lesbian and bisexual Syrian refugee women within the contexts of refugee, asylum, and displacement spaces. It investigates how their invisibility or fetishisation alters their encounters and perceptions of vulnerability. Despite being socially overlooked or objectified, their deviation from stereotypical gender norms for queer women, typically portrayed as masculine or butch, impedes their ability to seek asylum based on gender-related grounds. This unique group of refugees thus presents a complex case of intersectional vulnerability, extending beyond conventional understanding. Their experiences not only challenge prevailing notions of vulnerability but also contribute to discussions surrounding the hierarchical categorisation of vulnerability among Syrian refugees in Lebanon. By shedding light on the intersecting dynamics of gender presentation, sexuality, and refugee status, this study underscores the need for more inclusive approaches to refugee protection and support systems. It highlights the importance of recognising and addressing the diverse experiences and vulnerabilities faced by marginalised groups within refugee populations in the Global South. Through an exploration of these complexities, it aims to enrich ongoing dialogues on refugee rights, gender, bodily representations and intersectionality, ultimately advocating for more equitable and inclusive policies and practices within refugee assistance frameworks.