It becomes two seemingly mutually exclusive identities within their lives. Alam, who lives with his parents and brother in Park Slope, needed a safe way to communicate with other Muslims who were gay. For those who practice Islam, the world s second largest religion, the mere discussion of sex is often considered taboo. In many Islamic countries, the penalties are severe if a person is discovered to be gay. In Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, and Iran homosexuality is a capital offense the penalty for which is either being thrown off the top of a wall, having a wall toppled on top of you, or being stoned to death.
People feel that they have to either deny their sexuality or their religion completely.
It becomes two seemingly mutually exclusive identities within their lives. Alam s life changed, however, when his mother discovered his sexuality after reading one of his online postings he had printed out. She thought being gay was a perverse, lustful thing and that it was something that American society had done to me. In coming to terms with his mother s denial and shame, Alam felt the need to get in touch with other gay Muslims to discuss the homophobia, oppression, and discrimination they encounter. Then 40 people from as far afield as the Middle East, South Africa, and Europe attended an international conference that was held in Boston.