Picture a Syrian storyteller who turned war-torn memories into tales of love and belonging—meet Danny Ramadan! A Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ+ advocate, Ramadan crafts stories that weave identity, displacement, and resilience with a poet’s touch. From Damascus to Vancouver, his journey as a queer refugee fuels novels, children’s books, and activism that inspire readers worldwide.
With award-winning works like The Clothesline Swing and the beloved Salma series, Ramadan’s storytelling is a vibrant tapestry of magic realism and raw emotion. His advocacy, raising over $300,000 for LGBTQ+ refugees, proves his pen is as mighty as his heart. Ready to dive into his world?
The Making of Danny Ramadan
Born Ahmad Danny Ramadan on May 31, 1984, in Damascus, Syria, he grew up in a hypermasculine, working-class environment where being queer felt like navigating a minefield. Writing became his lifeline at age 10, when a poem landed in a children’s magazine. By 17, after coming out to his family and facing rejection, he lived on the streets, using stories to stitch his mental health back together. In Egypt, he published two Arabic short story collections, Death and Other Fools (2004) and Aria (2008), before returning to Syria amid the 2011 civil war, where he ran an underground LGBTQ+ safe haven.
Danny Ramadan’s Unforgettable Stories
Ramadan’s debut novel, The Clothesline Swing (2017), is a lyrical love letter to Syria, blending magic realism with the pain of displacement. It follows a hakawati (storyteller) sharing tales of love and loss, earning accolades like the Independent Publisher Book Award and a spot on The Globe and Mail’s 100 Best Books of 2017. His second novel, The Foghorn Echoes (2022), won the 2023 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction, exploring forbidden love in war-torn Syria with haunting prose.
For younger readers, the Salma series—starting with Salma the Syrian Chef (2020)—charms with its tale of a refugee girl cooking to lift her mother’s spirits. Praised for its warmth and diversity, it won the Nautilus Book Award. Ramadan’s memoir, Crooked Teeth (2024), is a raw, joyous recounting of his queer refugee journey, nominated for the Governor General’s Literary Award. His style, rich with folklore and emotional depth, makes every page a journey.
Currently, Ramadan is crafting The Saltwater Requiem, a historical fiction novel about a Syrian family aboard the Titanic, blending Levantine folklore with intergenerational trauma. His ability to cross genres—novels, memoirs, children’s books—shows a storyteller unbound by convention.
Why Danny Ramadan Matters
Ramadan’s work redefines the refugee narrative, rejecting stereotypes for stories of joy, resilience, and queerness. His books, translated into multiple languages, resonate globally, offering solace to those navigating identity and displacement. As an advocate, he’s raised over $300,000 through his annual fundraiser, An Evening in Damascus, helping LGBTQ+ refugees find safety. His TED Talk, The Refugee Tree, and roles with Vancouver Pride and Rainbow Railroad amplify his impact, making him a beacon for marginalized voices.
By blending activism with art, Ramadan shows storytelling can heal and unite. His legacy is a world where every outsider finds a home in his words.
- Born: May 31, 1984, Damascus, Syria
- Key Works: The Clothesline Swing, The Foghorn Echoes, Salma the Syrian Chef, Crooked Teeth
- Awards: Lambda Literary Award, Nautilus Book Award, Independent Publisher Book Award
- Fun Fact: He has 18 doves tattooed on his arm, each marking an LGBTQ+ refugee he’s helped bring to Canada.
Snag Crooked Teeth or Salma the Syrian Chef and dive into Danny Ramadan’s heartfelt, hakawati magic!