Rasha Zuabi, Degrassi: Next Class

Rasha Zuabi (Dalia Yegavian)

Rasha  was introduced in Season 3 as a regular character, a Syrian refugee who was looking up to a better life, and she first met regular character Zoë when Rasha told her she appreciated how she combined the Queer Straight Alliance with the prayer room (3×01).

In 3×04, Rasha auditioned for a male role in the school play and used her experiences with her best friend in Syria to explain that the feelings needed for the part weren’t exclusive to boys. Zoë found out Rasha was gay (3×06) and they went on a first date (3×07). Rasha bailed on their date, afraid of being caught, but Zoë was understanding and the two kissed. They were caught by Zoë’s mother.

Zoë invited Rasha to her mother’s wedding (3×09), despite her mother telling her not to. When Rasha arrived, Zoë changed into a tux, the two slow danced and Zoë’s mother finally asked them to leave. Rasha was upset that Zoë lied about being welcomed to the wedding, and the two broke up. Zoë was kicked out of her house and went to live with Grace.

In the season finale (3×10), Rasha came out to her homophobic friend and Zoë showed up with a bouquet of flowers after her performance in the play. Rasha forgave her and they ended the season back together.

Female love interests:

• Zoë Rivas (Ana Golja, lesbian, regular)

Relationship story arc with a woman: Yes

No male love interests

Relationship story arc with a man: No

Male love interest after being identified as a lesbian? No

Filter Relationship Arc:

• Female (Regular)

Storyline during sweeps? No

[1] A relationship story arc is defined as explicit, developed on screen, and lasting more than 3 episodes. It is listed as questionable or subtext if romance is only implied, mentioned instead of shown on screen, part of a dream sequence, or otherwise not explicit for the viewer.
[2] Sweeps episodes air in February, May, July and November, the periods when advertising rates are set. A character is marked as "sweeps" when there is a very limited number of episodes that address their sexuality, all air during sweeps period, and the storyline is otherwise ignore/dropped.