A few years ago, while I was sitting in my childhood home during the pandemic, I posted a video of myself on social media doing a full face of glam. A stranger commented, “So you’re Persian, you’re non-binary, and you’re queer. What age did your dad leave you?”
I found the comment oddly funny—not only because my dad has always been my biggest advocate, but because he had actually filmed that exact video for me because I didn’t have a tripod. In response, I made a TikTok crafted around the idea that I was “trying to bond” with my straight dad. It was tongue-in-cheek of course, as anybody who knew me knew my dad and I are extremely close already. I posted the video, not thinking much about it, and went to bed. When I woke up, it had 10 million views.
TikTok content
It’s made me reflect a lot about my position as a comedian and creator with Iranian origin. How do I teach people about my culture? How do I educate minds about the beautiful spectrum of gender and sexuality in a way people will listen? What is the language everyone can understand in what feels like an absolute storm of divisive rhetoric online? I believe the answer always lies in a good old belly laugh.
My dad and I turned that first bonding video into a viral video series “Bonding with my Baba” that still goes on today. It’s given us this unique ability to show people the capacity for unconditional love in parenthood and cultural identity—but we find that it’s the comedy aspect that first gets people watching. By creating content together online, we have also been able to show the world Iranian culture, too.
I hope that one day I can visit Iran. Meet all the inspiring young artists in person. Laugh alongside my fellow LGBTQIA+ Iranians in the street. Maybe host a comedy show for my people. To see where my parents grew up. My dayee’s house. To meet every Iranian who’s sent me a message online in support of everything I do. For now, that’s just a dream. My farsi may not be as strong as it once was, but I know laughter will serve as the language we’ll choose to speak with each other over a glass of chai.
