Interview of Qais Kamran

NYC Trans Oral History Project

Qais Kamran describes his experiences growing up as a first generation Iranian Jew in Los Angeles, attending Jewish day school and discovering the importance of oral history to his family’s community. After attending UC Davis, Kamran moved to Tel Aviv, where he forged intergenerational relationships that allowed him to get in touch with his own transmaculinity. In Palestine, Kamran became involved in the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions Movement as well as the clubbing scene. Since moving back to NYC in 2019, Kamran is looking to open a trans- and worker-owned nightlife venue.