We have been featuring the best writers from our writers’ community for their committed contribution to FII, making it what it is today. FII would not exist if not for the passionate and loyal feminist writers’ community that we have steadily been building over the last three years. This November, we feature Jamal Siddiqui.
From talking about 10 Things You Shouldn’t Ask A Transgender Man to writing about The Sex Life Of Trans Men And Why Our Sexuality Matters, Jamal’s exceptional flair of writing has covered a host of topics, keeping us hooked to his articles and his activism. Some of his other popular articles are How Nandini Krishnan’s Book Hurts The Trans Men Community, 7 Tips On How to Pass As Masculine For Trans Men and many others.
FII: Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
Jamal Siddiqui: I am a trans man, a Muslim and a nerd. I am the co-founder of Transmen Collective and used to work as a program manager. Activism and writing is my favourite hobby.
FII: How did you become a part of the FII writer family?
Jamal Siddiqui: I remember in 2017, the founder of FII, Japleen, read one of my articles which I wrote on my personal blog and contacted me for writing in FII. This is how my journey started with FII.
FII: How and when did you become a feminist? Which issues within feminism are close to your heart?
JS: I was introduced to feminism by an ex-girlfriend. I used to have a lot of discussions regarding this. She guided me in my initial stages. I read books regarding feminism to serve my curiosity and transgender movement, intersectionality in trans movement, intimate partner violence faced by them will always be close to my heart.
FII: What is your favourite piece on this site that you have written, and your favourite piece on this site that you have read? Why did they strike you?
JS: My favourite piece which I have written is The Invisible Privileges Of Looking Like A Cis Male, because it is something that appeals to me always and how society and it’s perspective changes and it made me realised the privileges men have over women. My favourite piece on FII is Calling Out The Shit Upper Caste People Say. I love this article and video. It is one of the video I have enjoyed the most.
FII: What do you like to do when not writing about gender and social justice?
JS: I mostly play games online, read especially newspaper, chill with friends and just go clubbing. I love the solitude which I get when go for smoke on my roof at night just sitting there for hours under the stars.
FII: What do you like about FII and our work? What more would you like to see from us?
JS: One of the things which I love about FII is that it is very approachable and people have always been very respectful towards community. I also feel very sad about the recently trolling that has been happening of FII. I wish to see more videos about more topics as it is a very good medium.
FII thanks Jamal for his timely and valuable contributions. We are incredibly grateful to have him as a part of our writers’ community and appreciate him for his deeply informative writing. You can follow him on Facebook and Instagram.
