{{Short description|Syrian–Canadian novelist, public speaker, and LGBTQ-refugee activist}} {{COI|date=November 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}} {{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see :Template:Infobox writer/doc --> | name = Danny Ramadan<br/>داني رمضان | image = DannyRamadan2025.jpg | caption = Ramadan reading at the Iceland Writers Retreat | birth_date = {{birth date and age|May 31, 1984}} | birth_place = Damascus, Syria | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Author, activist | awards = Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction (2023) | website = {{URL|dannyramadan.com/}} }} '''Danny Ramadan''' (Arabic: داني رمضان; born May 31, 1984) is a Syrian and Canadian novelist, public speaker, and LGBTQ-refugee activist who was born in Damascus, Syria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/danny-ramadan-brings-struggles-of-lgbt-refugees-to-light-1.3075662|title=Danny Ramadan brings struggles of LGBT refugees to light|date=May 15, 2015|publisher=Cbc.ca|accessdate=October 26, 2016|archive-date=November 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104100816/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/danny-ramadan-brings-struggles-of-lgbt-refugees-to-light-1.3075662|url-status=live}}</ref> Ramadan's work focuses on themes of immigration, identity, diaspora and belonging. His debut novel, ''The Clothesline Swing'', won multiple awards. ''The Foghorn Echoes'' won the 2023 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=2023 Winners |url=https://lambdaliterary.org/awards/2023-winners/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Lambda Literary |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last=Schaub |first=Michael |date=2023-06-12 |title=2023 Lambda Literary Award Winners Are Revealed |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/2023-lambda-literary-award-winners-are-revealed/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=Kirkus Reviews |language=en}}</ref> His memoir, Crooked Teeth,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crooked Teeth by Danny Ramadan {{!}} Penguin Random House Canada |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/675620/crooked-teeth-by-danny-ramadan/9780735242210 |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=www.penguinrandomhouse.ca |language=en}}</ref> was a Governor General Award finalist <ref name=":14">{{Cite web |title=Jordan Abel, Danny Ramadan and Cherie Dimaline among finalists for $25K Governor General's Literary Awards |url=https://www.cbc.ca/books/jordan-abel-danny-ramadan-and-cherie-dimaline-among-finalists-for-25k-governor-general-s-literary-awards-1.7345239}}</ref>
== Writing ==
=== ''The Clothesline Swing'' === ''The Clothesline Swing'' is Ramadan's debut novel in English. Inspired by ''One Thousand and One Nights'', the novel tells the epic story of two lovers anchored to the memory of a dying Syria. One is a Hakawati, a storyteller, keeping life in forwarding motion by relaying remembered fables to his dying partner. Each night he weaves stories of his childhood in Damascus, of the cruelty he has endured for his sexuality, of leaving home, of war, of his fated meeting with his lover. Meanwhile, Death himself, in his dark cloak, shares the house with the two men, eavesdropping on their secrets as he awaits their final undoing.thumb|Cover of the first edition of The Clothesline Swing – Nightwood Editions |alt=|left|193x193pxIn its review, titled "The Sweetest Taboo", Winnipeg Free Press stated the author "has crafted a novel that compels readers to share — vicariously, with his characters — the beauty and history of Syria, the horrors of civil war and the joy, release, and pain of forbidden love." adding that the novel is "an enjoyable if challenging, cultural and historical excursion."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/books/the-sweetest-taboo-430413923.html|title=The sweetest taboo|newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press|date=June 24, 2017|access-date=2017-07-02|last1=Arnold|first1=Gord|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014526/https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/books/the-sweetest-taboo-430413923.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Publishers Weekly'' called the work "remarkable" stating that "Ramadan's delicate use of imagery links these narratives, allowing them to reverberate with meaning and emotion."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/9780889713321?permamore|title=Fiction Book Review: The Clothesline Swing – Publishers Weekly|last=|first=|date=|website=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201129195706/https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780889713321?permamore|archive-date=November 29, 2020|access-date=|url-status=live}}</ref>
"This debut novel from the Vancouver-based Syrian writer reads as many things," wrote Kamal Al-Solaylee for Canadian magazine ''Quill and Quire'', "a coming-out memoir, a history lesson, a critique of authoritarianism, a narrative about sharing narratives – but above all, it's a requiem for a dying country and people."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quillandquire.com/review/the-clothesline-swing/|title=The Clothesline Swing – Quill and Quire|last=|first=|date=May 23, 2017|website=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120182634/https://quillandquire.com/review/the-clothesline-swing/|archive-date=January 20, 2021|access-date=|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Globe and Mail'' called the novel "sombre, fantastical, violent and tender," adding that Ramadan's "English-language debut is a gay son's conflicted love letter to Syria."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/review-eamon-mcgraths-berlin-warszawa-express-ahmad-danny-ramadans-the-clothesling-swing-and-ami-sands-brodoffs-in-many-waters/article34967423/|title=Review: Eamon McGrath's Berlin-Warszawa Express, Ahmad Danny Ramadan's The Clothesline Swing and Ami Sands Brodoff's In Many Waters|last=Colbert|first=Jade|date=May 12, 2017|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|access-date=May 27, 2017|archive-date=March 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321021706/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/book-reviews/review-eamon-mcgraths-berlin-warszawa-express-ahmad-danny-ramadans-the-clothesling-swing-and-ami-sands-brodoffs-in-many-waters/article34967423/|url-status=live}}</ref>
''The Georgia Straight'' called Ramadan's narration "fragmented, poetic, and rich with magic realism," adding that the novel "is a lesson in both artistic mastery and human resilience. And, unexpectedly: joy."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.straight.com/arts/921061/ahmad-danny-ramadan-honours-resilience-clothesline-swing|title=Ahmad Danny Ramadan honours resilience in The Clothesline Swing|date=June 7, 2017|work=Georgia Straight Vancouver's News & Entertainment Weekly|access-date=2017-06-27|language=en|archive-date=May 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528222257/https://www.straight.com/arts/921061/ahmad-danny-ramadan-honours-resilience-clothesline-swing|url-status=live}}</ref>
''The Clothesline Swing'' won the Independent Publisher Book Awards' Golden Medal in the LGBT category,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=2018 Medalists Categories 1–42 |url=http://www.ippyawards.com/128/medalists/2018-medalists-categories-1-42 |access-date=2018-06-19 |website=IPPY Awards |language=en |archive-date=April 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429004007/https://ippyawards.com/128/medalists/2018-medalists-categories-1-42 |url-status=live }}</ref> as well as the Canadian Authors Association's Fred Kerner Award for Best Overall Fiction Book in 2018,<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |title=2018 Fred Kerner Book Award Winner and Shortlist |language=en-US |work=Canadian Authors Association |url=https://canadianauthors.org/national/2018-fred-kerner-award-winner-shortlist/ |access-date=2022-01-09 |archive-date=January 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101130443/https://canadianauthors.org/national/2018-fred-kerner-award-winner-shortlist/ |url-status=live }}</ref> was picked among The Globe and Mail's 100 Best Books 2017,<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-globe-100-these-are-the-best-books-of2017/article37071356/|title=The Globe 100:These are the best books of 2017|date=December 14, 2017|work=The Globe and Mail|access-date=2017-12-22|language=en|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014557/https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/the-globe-100-these-are-the-best-books-of2017/article37071356/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was number 7 of the Toronto Star Top 10 Books of 2017.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2017/12/22/the-stars-top-10-books-of-2017.html|title=The Star's top 10 books of 2017|date=December 22, 2017|work=The Toronto Star|access-date=2017-12-22|language=en|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921015023/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/books/2017/12/22/the-stars-top-10-books-of-2017.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was long listed on the CBC's Canada Reads 2018 contest,<ref name=":7">{{Cite news |title=The Canada Reads 2018 longlist is here! {{!}} CBC Books |language=en-US |work=CBC Books |url=http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/the-canada-reads-2018-longlist-is-here-1.4471348 |access-date=2018-01-09 |archive-date=July 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180719202726/http://www.cbc.ca/books/canadareads/the-canada-reads-2018-longlist-is-here-1.4471348 |url-status=live }}</ref> shortlisted to the Forest of Reading's Evergreen Award 2018,<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Forest of Reading |url=http://www.accessola.org/web/OLA/Forest_of_Reading/OLA/Forest_of_Reading/Forest_of_Reading.aspx?hkey=e913abbb-1687-438d-bc68-64eda110aeb1 |access-date=2018-02-02 |website=www.accessola.org |archive-date=September 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916231454/http://www.accessola.org/web/OLA/Forest_of_Reading/OLA/Forest_of_Reading/Forest_of_Reading.aspx?hkey=e913abbb-1687-438d-bc68-64eda110aeb1 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> shortlisted for the Lambda Literary Award Gay Fiction category in 2018, and longlisted for Sunburst Award for Excellence in Canadian Literature of the Fantastic.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sunburstaward.org/2018-longlist|title=2018 Sunburst Award Longlist! {{!}} The Sunburst Award Society|website=www.sunburstaward.org|language=en|access-date=2018-06-19|archive-date=February 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228011502/http://www.sunburstaward.org/2018-longlist|url-status=live}}</ref>
''The Clothesline Swing'' was translated to Hebrew and released in May 2018<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/literature/.premium-REVIEW-1.5893101|title="נדנדת חבלי הכביסה": זיכרונותיו של פליט הומו מסוריה הפכו לאגדה אכזרית|last=גונן|first=יוענה|work=הארץ|access-date=2019-05-28|language=he|archive-date=May 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518144744/https://www.haaretz.co.il/literature/.premium-REVIEW-1.5893101|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as French, to be released in August 2019. The book was re-launched in the UK by British Publisher The Indigo Press.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theindigopress.com/the-clothesline-swing|title=The Clothesline Swing|website=The Indigo Press|date=May 2, 2019 |language=en-GB|access-date=2019-05-28|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528194807/https://www.theindigopress.com/the-clothesline-swing|url-status=live}}</ref>thumb|Cover of Salma the Syrian Chef – Annick Press|alt=|168x168px
=== ''Salma the Syrian Chef'' === His children's book, ''Salma the Syria Chef'', was released in 2020 by Annick Press.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.annickpress.com/Salma-the-Syrian-Chef|title=Salma the Syrian Chef, Picture Books|website=Canadian Children's Books – Annick Press|language=en|access-date=2020-02-17|archive-date=February 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223222952/http://annickpress.com/Salma-the-Syrian-Chef|url-status=live}}</ref> The picture book tells the story of newcomer Salma whose mother is struggling to adjust to their new life in Canada. Salma decides to uplift her mother's spirit by cooking a traditional Syrian meal for her, with the help of their new friends in the Welcome Home they are living at.
“Salma is deeply relatable in her determination, frustration, and sensitivity, especially in moments when things do not go as planned," wrote Shannon Ozirny for Quill and Quire.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://quillandquire.com/review/salma-the-syrian-chef/|title=Salma the Syrian Chef|date=January 27, 2020|website=Quill and Quire|access-date=2020-02-17|archive-date=January 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125231824/https://quillandquire.com/review/salma-the-syrian-chef/|url-status=live}}</ref> The book was also positively reviewed by ''Kirkus Reviews,'' who stated, "This beautiful story grasps diversity, exploring resilience, love, friendship, and the meaning of home."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-01-25 |title=Salma the Syrian Chef |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/danny-ramadan/salma-the-syrian-chef/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Kirkus Reviews |archive-date=February 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228200246/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/danny-ramadan/salma-the-syrian-chef/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Publishers Weekly'' praised the book's inclusive messages: "Ramadan writes with poetic immediacy about displacement, home, and family."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Children's Book Review: Salma the Syrian Chef by Danny Ramadan, illus. By Anna Bron. Annick, $18.95 (40p) ISBN 978-1-77321-375-0 |url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-77321-375-0 |access-date=2020-02-17 |website=Publishers Weekly |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124035534/https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-77321-375-0 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The book evolved into a series of early reader chapter books, including Salma Makes a Home, Salma Writes a Book, Salma Joins the Team, and Salma Speaks Up.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Salma Series {{!}} Annick Press |url=https://www.annickpress.com/Series/T/The-Salma-Series/(sort_by)/published |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=www.annickpress.com}}</ref>
For his children books, Ramadan was nominated to the Silver Birch Express Award multiple times,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forest of Reading reveals chosen books for 2025 — students across Canada to choose winners |url=https://www.cbc.ca/books/forest-of-reading-reveals-chosen-books-for-2025-students-across-canada-to-choose-winners-1.7347465}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Deziel |first=Shanda |date=2020-10-15 |title=The 2021 Forest of Reading nominations shine a light on the best in Canadian kidlit - Quill and Quire |url=https://quillandquire.com/omni/the-2021-forest-of-reading-nominations-shine-a-light-on-the-best-in-canadian-kidlit/ |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Quill and Quire - Canada's magazine of book news and reviews |language=en}}</ref> The Publishing Triangle Award,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Jacqueline Woodson Award for LGBTQ+ Children's/YA Literature |url=https://publishingtriangle.org/awards/the-jacqueline-woodson-award-for-lgbtq-childrens-ya-literature/ |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=The Publishing Triangle |language=en-US}}</ref> and was nominated to over eighteen awards and best-of lists.
=== ''Crooked Teeth: A Queer Syrian Refugee Memoir'' === Ramadan released his memoir, Crooked Teeth, to acclaim. The memoir, focusing on the author's life as a queer boy growing up in Damascus, and a refugee in Lebanon, then his immigration to his new found home in Canada. The book was picked as a Best of the Year by Quill and Quire,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Google Search |url=https://www.google.com/search?q=crooked+teeth+quill+and+quire+book+of+the+year&client=safari&sca_esv=6d563ea56f909c92&rls=en&sxsrf=AE3TifN2-jt97tBZDMyXGFGBN8gkdpIC-w:1759192560941&ei=8CXbaJ6dOY2Bm9cPlZbzgQU&ved=0ahUKEwie1b79nv-PAxWNwOYEHRXLPFAQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=crooked+teeth+quill+and+quire+book+of+the+year&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiLmNyb29rZWQgdGVldGggcXVpbGwgYW5kIHF1aXJlIGJvb2sgb2YgdGhlIHllYXIyBxAhGKABGAoyBxAhGKABGApIvAxQ5AJY_wtwAXgAkAEBmAG7AaABxAmqAQM2LjW4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgigAr8FwgIIEAAYsAMY7wXCAgsQABiABBiwAxiiBMICBRAhGKABwgIFECEYnwWYAwCIBgGQBgWSBwM2LjKgB9Y0sgcDNS4yuAe8BcIHBTAuNC40yAcT&sclient=gws-wiz-serp |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=www.google.com}}</ref> was nominated for The Governor General Award,<ref name=":14" /> and the City of Vancouver Book Award.<ref name=":15">{{Cite web |last=Vancouver |first=City of |title=Squamish Nation’s Tiná7 Cht Ti Temíxw: We Come From This Land wins 2025 City of Vancouver Book Award |url=https://vancouver.ca/news-calendar/winner-2025-city-of-vancouver-book-award.aspx |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=vancouver.ca |language=en}}</ref>
== Activism == In a Vice Media interview in 2016, Ramadan talked about the underground work he used to do to support and sometimes house queer individuals while he lived in Damascus.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/meet-the-gay-syrian-refugee-whos-leading-vancouvers-pride-parade/|title=Meet the Gay Syrian Refugee Who's Leading Vancouver's Pride Parade|last=Berman|first=Sarah|date=July 26, 2016|website=Vice|language=en|access-date=2019-12-08|archive-date=December 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208191814/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/jmkqwx/meet-the-gay-syrian-refugee-whos-leading-vancouvers-pride-parade|url-status=live}}</ref> He later elaborated on this experience in a 2018 interview and stated "I turned my house [in Damascus] into an underground LGBTQ centre... it was actually quite the loving community until I was arrested for it."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://this.org/2018/02/27/qa-ahmad-danny-ramadan-on-the-unique-experiences-of-lgbtq-refugees/|title=Q&A: Ahmad Danny Ramadan on the unique experiences of LGBTQ refugees|date=February 27, 2018|website=This Magazine|language=en-CA|access-date=2019-12-08|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014526/https://this.org/2018/02/27/qa-ahmad-danny-ramadan-on-the-unique-experiences-of-lgbtq-refugees/|url-status=live}}</ref> Ramadan mentioned in a separate interview to The Media Line, that he was arrested at the airport by Syrian officials and held for six weeks. After his release, he was declared a persona non grata by the Syrian government and as a result he immigrated to Lebanon as a refugee in 2012.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://themedialine.org/people/syrian-gay-refugee-author-tells-media-line-of-trials-and-tribulations/|title=Syrian, Gay, Refugee: Author Tells Media Line of Trials and Tribulations (with VIDEO)|date=May 14, 2019|website=The Media Line|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-11|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014441/https://themedialine.org/people/syrian-gay-refugee-author-tells-media-line-of-trials-and-tribulations/|url-status=live}}</ref> Eventually, Ramadan was granted asylum in Canada, and in September 2014 he immigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gay-syrian-refugees-start-new-lives-in-vancouver-1.2762217|title=Gay Syrian refugees start new lives in Vancouver|date=|publisher=CBC News|accessdate=2016-10-26|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921021445/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gay-syrian-refugees-start-new-lives-in-vancouver-1.2762217|url-status=live}}</ref> By 2015, Ramadan already began working at Qmunity, a queer resource center in British Columbia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://qmunity.ca/news/welcome-danny/|title=Welcome to the team, Danny!|website=QMUNITY|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-08|archive-date=December 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208180310/https://qmunity.ca/news/welcome-danny/|url-status=live}}</ref> Around the same time Ramadan was working for Qmunity, he started volunteering for the Rainbow Refugee Society which describes itself as, "a Vancouver based community group that helps individuals seeking refugee protection in Canada based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE) or HIV status."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rainbowrefugee.com/about-us|title=Helping LGBTQ+ Refugees Resettle in Canada – Rainbow Refugee Vancouver|website=www.rainbowrefugee.com|language=en|access-date=2019-12-08|archive-date=September 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901124844/https://www.rainbowrefugee.com/about-us|url-status=live}}</ref> While volunteering at the Rainbow Refugee Society, Ramadan helped organize and support the sponsorship of Syrian refugees.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://canadianimmigrant.ca/canadas-top-25-immigrants/canadas-top-25-immigrants-2017/ahmad-danny-ramadan|title=Ahmad Danny Ramadan|website=Canadian Immigrant|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-08|archive-date=February 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226095433/https://canadianimmigrant.ca/canadas-top-25-immigrants/canadas-top-25-immigrants-2017/ahmad-danny-ramadan|url-status=live}}</ref> Since May 2015, Ramadan has also run an annual fundraiser known as An Evening in Damascus. The goals of the fundraiser are to introduce the community to authentic Syrian culture and heritage, build a safe space for Syrian Queer and Trans refugees to celebrate their identity, offer opportunities to foster friendship and integration between Syrian Queer and Trans newcomers and LGBTQ2+ Canadian community members, and fundraise for private sponsorships.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://dannyramadan.com/bio/|title=Bio|date=April 20, 2016|website=Ahmad Danny Ramadan|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-11|archive-date=May 4, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504033951/https://www.dannyramadan.com/bio/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://eveningindamascus.com/why-damascus|title=Why Damascus?|website=An Evening in Damascus|access-date=2019-12-08|archive-date=March 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301194410/https://eveningindamascus.com/why-damascus|url-status=live}}</ref> Through the fundraiser, Ramadan has raised over $150,000 for LGBTQ-identifying refugees, and he has helped 23 individuals obtain refugee protection in Canada.<ref name=":1" /> Ramadan speaks publicly about issues related to gay Syrian refugees, and he has expressed his views as a speaker at conferences and conventions such as TedxSFU, Qmunity's IDAHOT Breakfast, the Liberal Party Convention, and Six Degrees Conference.<ref name=":1" /> Ramadan used to write a bi-weekly column for ''Daily Xtra'' between 2012 and 2016, covering topics such as what it's like to live as a refugee in another country, and how to integrate LGBTQ refugees into Canadian society.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyxtra.com/contributor/Ahmed%20Danny%20Ramadan|title=Contributor Profile|author=Ahmed Danny Ramadan|date=October 18, 2013|publisher=Daily Xtra|accessdate=October 26, 2016|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118042719/http://www.dailyxtra.com/contributor/Ahmed%20Danny%20Ramadan|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyxtra.com/contributor/ahmed-danny-ramadan|title=Ahmed Danny Ramadan|website=Xtra|access-date=2019-12-11|archive-date=January 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118042719/http://www.dailyxtra.com/contributor/Ahmed|url-status=live}}</ref>
Since November 2016, Ramadan has served as Director-at-large for the board of Vancouver Pride Society, and as of 2019, Ramadan now serves as Director for the board of the Rainbow Railroad.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/our-board|title=Our Board|website=www.rainbowrailroad.org|access-date=2019-12-08|archive-date=September 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918163544/https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/our-board|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.vancouverpride.ca/screens|title=Vancouver Pride Society :: Screens|website=Vancouver Pride Society|language=en-us|access-date=2019-12-08|archive-date=May 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200514175330/http://www.vancouverpride.ca/screens|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2016, Ramadan was honored as the grand marshal of the Vancouver Pride Festival for his work supporting LGBTQ-refugees and newcomers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonblade.com/2016/07/31/gay-syrian-refugee-leads-vancouver-pride-parade/|title=Gay Syrian refugee leads Vancouver Pride parade|last=Johnson|first=Chris|date=October 21, 2016|publisher=Washington Blade|accessdate=October 26, 2016|archive-date=August 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803134717/https://www.washingtonblade.com/2016/07/31/gay-syrian-refugee-leads-vancouver-pride-parade/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metronews.ca/features/vancouver/vancouvering/2016/07/22/vancouver-pride-grand-marshall-lgbtq-refugee-fundraiser.html|title=Cafe Politics: Vancouver Pride Grand Marshall hosts 'Evening in Damascus' LGBTQ refugee fundraiser|date=July 22, 2016|publisher=Metro|accessdate=October 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205204646/http://www.metronews.ca/features/vancouver/vancouvering/2016/07/22/vancouver-pride-grand-marshall-lgbtq-refugee-fundraiser.html|archive-date=December 5, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2017, he was awarded the Social Activist StandOut Award by the Vancouver Pride Society for his social-activist work.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.straight.com/life/931561/standout-awards-and-loud-scholarships-honour-vancouvers-outstanding-lgbt-individuals-and|title=StandOUT! Awards and LOUD scholarships honour Vancouver's outstanding LGBT individuals and allies|date=June 30, 2017|website=The Georgia Straight|language=en|access-date=2019-12-13|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921014723/https://www.straight.com/life/931561/standout-awards-and-loud-scholarships-honour-vancouvers-outstanding-lgbt-individuals-and|url-status=live}}</ref> That same year he was also picked as one of the 25 Top Immigrants to Canada by Canadian Immigrant.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://canadianimmigrant.ca/slider/rbc-top-25-canadian-immigrants-of-2017-announced|title=RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2017 announced! {{!}} Canadian Immigrant|website=canadianimmigrant.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2017-06-27|archive-date=October 31, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031142424/http://canadianimmigrant.ca/slider/rbc-top-25-canadian-immigrants-of-2017-announced|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, he was a recipient of the 2018 Bonham Centre Award from the Mark S. Bonham Centre for Sexual Diversity Studies.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://my.alumni.utoronto.ca/s/731/start.aspx?sid=731&gid=37&pgid=13521&cid=22657&ecid=22657|title=Bonham Centre Awards Gala 2018|website=my.alumni.utoronto.ca|access-date=2019-12-13|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921161729/https://my.alumni.utoronto.ca/s/731/start.aspx?sid=731&gid=37&pgid=13521&cid=22657&ecid=22657|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Awards and honours == In 2025, the Library and Archives Canada announce Ramadan as one of the 2025 Canada Scholars, marking his contributions to the creation and promotion of Canada’s culture, literary heritage and historical knowledge.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Canada |first=Library and Archives |date=2025-06-30 |title=2025 Library and Archives Canada Scholar Awards highlight five remarkable Canadians |url=https://www.canada.ca/en/library-archives/news/2025/06/2025-library-and-archives-canada-scholar-awards-highlight-five-remarkable-canadians.html |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=www.canada.ca}}</ref>
''The Clothesline Swing'' was picked among The Globe and Mail's 100 Best Books 2017<ref name=":5" /> and was number 7 on the ''Toronto Star'''s "Top 10 Books of 2017".<ref name=":6" />
''Salma the Syrian Chef'' was named one of the best picture's books of 2020 by ''Kirkus Reviews''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Best of 2020 |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2020/picture-books/books/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Kirkus Reviews |language=en |archive-date=February 3, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203190932/https://www.kirkusreviews.com/best-of/2020/picture-books/books/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''School Library Journal''.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Beaver |first1=Ramarie |last2=Olson Fakih |first2=Kimberly |last3=Scott |first3=John |last4=Tran |first4=Allison |date=2020-11-23 |title=Best Picture Books 2020 |url=https://www.slj.com/story/best-picture-books-2020-slj-best-books |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=School Library Journal |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212190557/https://www.slj.com/story/best-picture-books-2020-slj-best-books |url-status=live }}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" |+Awards for Ramadan's writing !Year !Title !Award !Result !Ref |- | rowspan="6" |2018 | rowspan="6" |{{Sort|Clothesline Swing|''The Clothesline Swing''}} |Canada Reads |Longlist |<ref name=":7" /> |- |Fred Kerner Award for Best Overall Fiction Book |'''Winner''' |<ref name=":4" /> |- |Forest of Reading Evergreen Award |Shortlist |<ref name=":9" /> |- |Independent Publisher Book Award for LGBT+ Fiction |Gold |<ref name=":3" /> |- |Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction |Shortlist |<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |last=Boureau |first=Ella |date=2018-03-06 |title=30th Annual Lambda Literary Award Finalists Announced |url=https://lambdaliterary.org/2018/03/lambda-literary-award-finalists/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319061534/https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2018/03/lambda-literary-award-finalists/ |archive-date=2020-03-19 |access-date=2022-01-11 |website=Lambda Literary |language=en}}</ref> |- |Sunburst Award for Young Adult |Longlist |<ref name=":10" /> |- | rowspan="2" |2019 | rowspan="8" |''Salma the Syrian Chef'' |Nautilus Book Award for Children's Books |'''Winner''' |<ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=2019 Grand/Gold Winners |url=https://nautilusbookawards.com/2019-grandgold-winners/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Nautilus Book Awards |language=en |archive-date=November 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128022707/https://nautilusbookawards.com/2019-grandgold-winners/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |Nautilus Book Award: Special Award for Best of Children's |'''Winner''' |<ref name=":11" /> |- | rowspan="2" |2020 |INDIE Award for Picture Books, Early Reader |'''Winner''' |<ref>{{Cite web |title="Salma the Syrian Chef" is a 2020 Foreword INDIES Winner |url=https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/books/salma-the-syrian-chef/ |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Foreword Reviews |language=en |archive-date=June 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625044658/https://www.forewordreviews.com/awards/books/salma-the-syrian-chef/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |Middle East Book Award for Picture Book |'''Winner''' |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Picture Book Honorees {{!}} Middle East Book Award |url=http://www.meoc.us/picture-book.html |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Middle East Outreach Council |language=en |archive-date=April 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417183153/http://www.meoc.us/picture-book.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="4" |2021 |ALSC Notable Children's Books |Selection |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-15 |title=Notable Children's Books: 2021 |url=https://www.booklistonline.com/Notable-Children-s-Books/pid=9745857 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Booklist |archive-date=January 31, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131155421/https://www.booklistonline.com/Notable-Children-s-Books/pid=9745857 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |Blue Spruce Award |Finalist |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Spruce Award™ Winners and Nominees 2002–2022 |url=https://forestofreading.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/01-Blue-Spruce-Archive-2022.pdf |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=Ontario Library Association |page=2 |archive-date=March 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324023720/http://forestofreading.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/01-Blue-Spruce-Archive-2022.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize |Finalist |<ref name="porter">{{Cite web |last=Porter |first=Ryan |date=2021-04-08 |title=Eight shortlists announced for BC and Yukon Book Prizes |url=https://quillandquire.com/omni/eight-shortlists-announced-for-bc-and-yukon-book-prizes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808073040/https://quillandquire.com/omni/eight-shortlists-announced-for-bc-and-yukon-book-prizes/ |archive-date=2022-08-08 |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=Quill and Quire |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2021-04-16 |title=Michelle Good, Billy-Ray Belcourt among 2021 BC and Yukon Book Prize finalists |url=https://www.cbc.ca/books/michelle-good-billy-ray-belcourt-among-2021-bc-and-yukon-book-prize-finalists-1.5979892 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707151407/https://www.cbc.ca/books/michelle-good-billy-ray-belcourt-among-2021-bc-and-yukon-book-prize-finalists-1.5979892 |archive-date=2022-07-07 |access-date=2023-05-29 |website=CBC Books}}</ref> |- |City of Vancouver Book Award |Finalist | |- | rowspan="3" |2023 | rowspan="3" |{{Sort|Foghorn Echoes|''The Foghorn Echoes''}} |Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction |'''Winner''' |<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":13" /> |- |City of Vancouver Book Award |Finalist |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vancouver |first=City of |title=City of Vancouver Book Award |url=https://vancouver.ca/people-programs/city-of-vancouver-book-award.aspx |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=vancouver.ca |language=en}}</ref> |- |BC and Yukon Book Prizes - Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize |Finalist |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Winners & Finalists |url=https://bcyukonbookprizes.com/winners-finalists/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=BC and Yukon Book Prizes |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | 2024 | rowspan="3" |''Crooked Teeth: A Queer Syrian Refugee Memoir'' |Governor General's Award for English-language non-fiction |Finalist |<ref>Cassandra Drudi, [https://quillandquire.com/omni/canisia-lubrin-danny-ramadan-among-2024-governor-generals-literary-award-finalists/ "Canisia Lubrin, Danny Ramadan among 2024 Governor General’s Literary Award finalists"]. ''Quill & Quire'', October 8, 2024.</ref> |- |City of Vancouver Book Award |Finalist |<ref name=":15" /> |- |Quill and Quire's Book of the Year |Selection |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-11 |title=Canada’s book community shares favourite titles of 2024 - Quill and Quire |url=https://quillandquire.com/omni/canadas-book-community-shares-favourite-titles-of-2024/ |access-date=2025-09-30 |website=Quill and Quire - Canada's magazine of book news and reviews |language=en}}</ref> |}
== Publications ==
=== Books === * {{cite book |author=Ramadan, Ahmad Danny |title=The Clothesline Swing |location= |publisher=Nightwood Editions |year=2017 <!--|isbn=9780889713321-->}} * {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=The Foghorn Echoes |location= |publisher=Viking Penguin Random House |year=2022 <!--|isbn=9780735242180-->|first=Ahmad Danny}} * {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=Crooked Teeth: A Queer Syrian Refugee Story |location= |publisher= |year=2024|first=Danny}}
==== Salma books ====
* {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=Salma the Syrian Chef |location= |publisher=Annick Press |year=2020|first=Danny|others=Illustrated by Anna Bron}} * {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=Salma Makes a Home |location= |publisher=Annick Press |year=2023|first=Danny|others=Illustrated by Anna Bron}} * {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=Salma Writes a Book |location= |publisher=Annick Press |year=2023|first=Danny|others=Illustrated by Anna Bron}} * {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=Salma Joins the Team |location= |publisher=Annick Press |year=2024|first=Danny|others=Illustrated by Anna Bron}}
=== Essays === * {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=The Remedy: Queer and Trans Voices on Health and Healthcare |location= |publisher=Arsenal Pulp Press |year=2016|first=Danny|editor-last=Sharman|editor-first=Zena}} * {{cite journal |author=Ramadan, Ahmed Danny |date=Spring–Summer 2016 |title=Searching for a home : one man's story of survival in the Syrian civil war |journal=Journal of International Affairs |volume=69 |issue=2 |pages=185–189 |url=https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/searching-home-one-mans-story-survival-syrian-civil-war |archive-date=April 23, 2022 |access-date=May 1, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423204703/https://jia.sipa.columbia.edu/searching-home-one-mans-story-survival-syrian-civil-war |url-status=dead }} * {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=Tongues: On Longing and Belonging Through Language |location= |publisher=CELA |year=2021|first=Danny|editor-last=Fantetti|editor-first=Eufemia|chapter=Speak my Tongue|editor-last2=Carranza|editor-first2=Leonarda|editor-last3=Tsabari|editor-first3=Ayelet}} * {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=This Arab Is Queer |location= |publisher=Saqi Books |year=2022|first=Danny|editor-last=Jahshan|editor-first=Elias|chapter=A Portrait of the Author as a Marginalized Man}}
=== Short story collections ===
* {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=Death and Other Fools |location= |publisher=Laila |year=2004|first=Ahmad Danny|language=Arabic}} * {{cite book |author=Ramadan |title=Arya |location= |publisher=Malameh |year=2008|first=Ahmad Danny|language=Arabic}}
=== Translations ===
* {{cite book |author=Badawi |title=1000 Lashes: Because I Say What I Think |location= |publisher=Greystone Books |year=2015|first=Rafi|editor-last=Schreiber|editor-first=Constantin|translator-last=Ramadan|translator-first=Ahmed Danny}}
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == {{Commons category-inline}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramadan, anny}} Category:Living people Category:1984 births Category:21st-century Canadian male writers Category:21st-century Canadian novelists Category:21st-century Canadian short story writers Category:Canadian gay writers Category:Canadian LGBTQ novelists Category:Canadian male novelists Category:Canadian male short story writers Category:Canadian Muslims Category:Gay novelists Category:Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction winners Category:Gay Muslims Category:Novelists from Vancouver Category:Syrian emigrants to Canada Category:Syrian gay men Category:Syrian male writers Category:Syrian novelists Category:Syrian short story writers Category:Writers from Damascus Category:21st-century Canadian LGBTQ people