Not Gay as in Happy but Queer as in Free Palestine — Marwan Kaabour

Not Gay as in Happy but Queer as in Free Palestine — Marwan KaabourNot Gay as in Happy but Queer as in Free Palestine is a statement that first appeared on placards in Palestinian queer solidarity marches around the globe, and later visualised by artist and designer Marwan Kaabour during Pride Month in 2021. The design is a creative wordplay, at once championing gay and queer identities, while reminding of alternative readings of queer that signify the other, the unconventional or nonconformist ideologies that

Not Gay as in Happy but Queer as in Free Palestine is a statement that first appeared on placards in Palestinian queer solidarity marches around the globe, and later visualised by artist and designer Marwan Kaabour during Pride Month in 2021.

The design is a creative wordplay, at once championing gay and queer identities, while reminding of alternative readings of queer that signify the other, the unconventional or nonconformist – ideologies that resonate with the struggle for a Free Palestine.

The sentiment also stands in bold defiance of Pinkwashing, the weaponization of supposed comparable progressiveness for LGBTQIA+ rights, especially in arguments made as a distraction from settler colonial violence. In this case the proclamation is in direct confrontation to common prejudices which, for example, conflate Islam with homophobic violence.

Marwan Kaabour is a multidisciplinary graphic designer and artist. He works with institutions, brands and individuals in the art and cultural sector. His practice blurs the lines between design, art, activism, writing and curation. He is also the founder of Takweer, a platform that explores and archives queer narratives in Arab history and popular culture.

Marwan has worked with some of the world’s most exciting cultural institutions, artists and publishers including the V&A Museum, Phaidon, Art Basel, The National Gallery, Thames & Hudson, Serpentine Galleries, Hayward Gallery, Somerset House, Banksy, and South London Gallery. He designed the much-celebrated Rihanna book.

30% of the proceeds from the sale of this poster will go towards the artist, while 70% will go towards Progressive International, specifically supporting our members the Palestinian Youth Movement.

This is one of three limited edition posters in the first series of art editions curated by Ché Zara Blomfield for Progressive International.

• Limited Edition of 100


• Poster size: 50 x 70 cm 


• Giclée print quality


• Paper thickness: 0.26 mm (10.3 mil)


• Paper weight: 189 g/m²


• Opacity: 94%


• ISO brightness: 104%


• Paper sourced from Japan

The artwork is sold unframed. The frame is not included. 

Disclaimer: This product is made for adults.
Meets the small parts and magnetic flux index level requirements.
2-year warranty in EEA and UK, established by Directive 1999/44/EC.
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