Who We Are

We are a team of volunteers working together over the years to support the cause of queer and trans newcomers and refugees. We have all been personally impacted by the experience of immigration and we would like to give back to the many communities we belong to.

Danny Ramadan

Danny Ramadan is a Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ-refugees advocate. His debut novel, The Clothesline Swing, won multiple awards. His children’s Book Salma the Syrian Chef, continues to receive accolades. Both books were translated to multiple languages. His short stories and essays appeared in publications across North America and Europe. Ramadan’s forthcoming novel, The Foghorn Echoes (2022), and his memoir, Crooked Teeth (2024), to be released by Penguin Random House. Through his fundraising efforts, Ramadan raised over $200,000 for Syrian LGBTQ+ identifying refugees. Ramadan graduated from UBC with an MFA in Creative Writing, and lives in Vancouver with his husband, Matthew Ramadan.

Matthew Ramadan

Matthew, as Danny’s spouse, has been passionate about volunteering with the Evening in Damascus since 2016.

He often helps coordinate volunteers and do everything necessary behind the scenes and try to ensure everything runs smoothly while Danny is doing his amazing work onstage.

Cee Rouhana

Cee has been Danny's friend for the past eleven years.

He joined the event's team in 2016 after he moved to Vancouver. He started on the reception and now helps in the presentation and organization of the event.

Bradley Babcock

A good friend of Danny and Matthew and supporter of EID over the past few years.

Bradley has worked for a number of years creating fun and exciting environments in TV and Film as a Set Decorator. When asked to help with the decor in bringing Damascus to life here in Vancouver, he couldn't have been more excited to collaborate with Danny to submerge our guests into a lovely evening in Damascus.

Cristie Rosling

Cristie Rosling is the owner of Umbrella Events, a Vancouver-based wedding and event planning company that specializes in LGBTQ+ events. Cristie brings over 10 years of event planning experience to the table.

She first met Danny when she coordinated his wedding and is excited to be reunited with him for An Evening in Damascus.