Buzz

‘Noura My Daughter to Nour My Son’: Egyptian Actor Speaks Openly About Transgender Son on Television

‘Noura My Daughter to Nour My Son’: Egyptian Actor Speaks Openly About Transgender Son on Television

Egyptian actor Hesham Selim during talk show ‘Shekh El Hara’

Egyptian actor Hesham Selim has won praise on social media after revealing his 26-year-old son Nour is completing the process of physically transitioning to a man and has already socially transitioned to the male gender.

Appearing on the talk show ‘Al-Qahera Wal Nas’, Selim spoke about the transition and his support for his offspring.

“My daughter Noura is now my son Nour,” he revealed on the television show.

“This is what God wanted and she is currently transitioning. I was not confused or surprised, because from the day she was born I could see her as a boy.”

هشام سليم بجرأة شديدة: بنتي نورا تتحول إلى "ابني نور" .. وكيف استقبل هشام سليم هذا القرار

هشام سليم بجرأة شديدة: بنتي نورا تتحول إلى "ابني نور" .. وكيف استقبل هشام سليم هذا القرارلمشاهدة الحلقة الكاملة : https://youtu.be/EWqureeEBIU#شيخ_الحارة_والجريئة#ايناس_الدغيدي#القاهرة_والناس#رمضان٢٠٢٠

Posted by ‎القاهرة والناس‎ on Sunday, 3 May 2020

The actor revealed that he thought the transition was courageous given society’s views and that the transition first started when Nour was 18-years-old.

Not everything went smoothly over the years though, with Selim adding that Nour had been upset with him for a while when he continued using ‘she’ and ‘her’ to refer to him. Now, however, all members of the family refer to Nour using male pronouns and are fully supportive and encouraging of him.

Selim also spoke about Nour’s struggles with changing his gender from female to male on official identity documents, adding that authorities initially refused to change the gender because they could not see a man in front of them (this was prior to the physical transition).

“There’s male or female, nothing in between,” said Selim, adding that he supports and sympathises with any family that experiences the same challenges of their child’s transition.

The segment and Selim’s frank admission in a country where gender issues remain taboo have won praise on social media, with many applauding Selim for his position and his decision to speak about it on Egyptian television.

Sex reassignment surgery and transition is rare but is legalised in Egypt and is governed by certain codes and legislation.

Women-Owned Local Brands Join Forces to Support Health Workers During COVID-19 Fight
How to Host A Virtual Iftar With Friends and Family

Subscribe to our newsletter


Buzz

More in Buzz

Demolition of Historic Cairo Cemeteries Stirs Public Outcry in Egypt

Amina Abdel-Halim2 June 2023

Diplomatic Detente No More? Explaining Iran’s Attempts to Restore Ties with Egypt

Shereif Barakat31 May 2023

Ezbet Gedy: Fresh Food Prepared by Hardworking Egyptian Mothers

Marina Makary29 May 2023

Build Your Skincare Routine with Organic Products from Egyptian brands

Amina Abdel-Halim29 May 2023

5 Hidden Gems in Cairo Worth Exploring in 2023

Dina Khadr28 May 2023

Egypt’s Al Ahly Basketball Team Clinch African Championship

Shereif Barakat28 May 2023

Making Nations Pay for Climate Change: 6 Questions on the Loss and Damage Fund

Omar Auf24 May 2023

Social Media Reacts to First Edition of Egypt Fashion Week

Amina Abdel-Halim23 May 2023