Darweesh

The Children of the Rainbow falls under the genre of ’gay’ or ’queer’ fiction. It relates the dilemma of the gay community in Iraq after the invasion and consequently, the occupation of Iraq by the American forces and the rise of Islamic Militia Movements. It begins with the arrest of Sarmad, one of the Rainbow members by the Islamic militants; he is tortured and eventually, forced to confess about the Rainbow community hideouts and members in Baghdad. As the story proceeds, the readers are also introduced to Mayyar, the protagonist who is fully aware of the threats facing the Rainbow community members and decides to migrate to Thailand. With the assistance and cooperation by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mayyar succeeds to leave Iraq and takes up residence in Thailand. There, he meets a Thai transgender by the name of Brisana where they establish both an intimate as well as business relationship. As their relationship flourishes, they decide to embark on another business venture and this time in the Philippines. There, they are introduced to a Filipina by the name of Catherine, the daughter of a rich Filipino Congress man. She is later, murdered by a terrorist gang and Mayyar is accused of her killing. The story ends with the news of the arrest of the chief murderer of Catherine and eventually, Mayyar is pardoned of any crime.