It took me 2 years and dozens of calls from all around the world with friends and family to make this happen. Oh, and my wife nagging me to get off my ass and release it already!
So this is a 4-part series. In this first episode, I take you back to my childhood in Amman, Jordan where I was a tomboy (much to my mother's dismay), my teenage years where society's expectations of womanhood confused the hell out of me, how I got dragged to a plastic surgery appointment at 16 to "fix" my boobs, and how when I moved to Lebanon, I realised I'd much rather be with women than men.
Think of it as a collective memoir - highlights of my life told through the eyes of those who know me best.
And a Trigger Warning: This episode contains themes of sexual harrasment and homophobia.
Thank you to all who have recorded this episode with me: My mum, my brothers Zeid and Costy, Lina, Fash, Sushi, Ramz, Lara, Sara, and to my beautiful wife Kristina who helped me produce this.
Follow me on Instagram: @lemzakharia
Follow me on TikTok: @twicedisplaced
Find out more about my business, Bedou.
In my early twenties, I was living a secret life. By day, I was a rising radio host on a commercial radio station in Jordan. By night, I was sneaking around with my girlfriend, afraid someone might catch us holding hands.
In this episode, I go into what it means to build a public persona while hiding who you are. I talk about living in fear of being outed, getting pulled over by police with my closeted girlfriend, and the surreal experience of getting "cancelled" for defending jamīd (yes, the fermented yoghurt).
Trigger Warning: Mentions of homophobia, police harassment, and emotional distress.
Thank you to: Jana, Floyd, Lara, Lee, Costy, mum, Lana, Sara, Mike williams, Jen Goggin and my wife Kristina
Follow me on Instagram: @lemzakharia (https://bit.ly/4mz3Ei3)
Follow me on TikTok: @twicedisplaced (https://bit.ly/46UKuPf)
What happens when you arrive in a new country with a broken heart, two weeks’ worth of clothes, and no plan except “don’t fall apart”?
In this episode, I take you through the heartbreak that led me to Australia, how I ended up applying for asylum on the basis of being queer, and what it means to rebuild your life from scratch: Legally, emotionally, and sexually.
You’ll hear from my brother (who lent me his credit card and a dining room to live in), my refugee lawyer friend, my ex-housemate, and—wait for it—my current partner’s ex-boyfriend, who hired me, mentored me, and then got his heart broken by both of us.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains references to heartbreak, sexual content, and the refugee experience.
Huge thanks to everyone who contributed their voices to this episode: Zeid, DD, GG, Marty, Sushi, Hana, Nadine, Jana, Giddy, Belinda Lopez and Zoe Ferguson and my wife Kristina
Follow me on Instagram: @lemzakharia (https://bit.ly/4mz3Ei3)
Follow me on TikTok: @twicedisplaced (https://bit.ly/46UKuPf)
In the final episode of Twice Displaced, I take you through what happened after I got my permanent residency in Australia: I moved in with my girlfriend… and her two kids. Classic lesbian behaviour, I know. But this episode is about more than U-Hauling — it’s about what family really means when you’re queer, displaced, and carrying generational trauma.
You’ll hear from my partner, her kids (yes, they insisted on being recorded), and my mum opening up -for the very first time - about her experience living with schizoaffective disorder.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to build a home when home has never really existed, this one’s for you.
Trigger Warning: This episode contains references to mental illness, homophobia, and family conflict.
Huge thanks to: Kristina, Rose, Edward, mum, Zeid, Meemo, Lara, Hana, Lina, Ramz, Elleanor Leabeater, Martin Peralta, and my incredible wife and co-producer Kristina.
Follow me on Instagram: @lemzakharia (https://bit.ly/4mz3Ei3)
Follow me on TikTok: @twicedisplaced (https://bit.ly/46UKuPf)
