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Gay Muslims in New England speak out

Email|Link|Comments (2) Posted by Michael Paulson September 9, 2008 01:31 PM

In the new issue of Boston Spirit, James A. Lopata writes about gay Muslims struggling to reconcile their faith with their sexuality. An excerpt:

"He prays five times a day, fasts during Ramadan, attends mosque every Friday for services, and abstains from alcohol and pork. 'My faith in Allah is supreme. I am not amenable to conversion to any other faith,' he said. But he refuses to describe himself as a devout Muslim. 'I’m old enough to admit that I’m gay,' he said. He frequents gay nightclubs, is active with MASALA, and is in a relatively new relationship—long distance—with a man. 'And I attend Cher concerts,' he said with a smile."

The story is predominantly local in its focus, and describes efforts by gay Muslims to organize in the U.S.; a recent documentary film, "A Jihad for Love,'' took a global look at the subject of homosexuality in the Muslim world.

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2 comments so far...

The struggle for any gay American to reconcile with religion that teaches that who they are is fundamentally wrong or impossible cannot be under estimated. We have all heard stories from gay Mormons, (formerly) gay priests and nuns and I have even known a lesbian (former) Mennonite. Wow. I imagine that the tension with which gay Muslims must struggle is unique, particularly gay male Muslims. Were they not in America, there would be a good chance in many parts of the world, they would be facing certain death if found out. Courage comes in all shapes, sizes and beliefs.

Posted by Jammer September 9, 08 03:51 PM

It's unfortunate in this day and age people can't just be who they are and be left alone. For something that is supposed to be so wonderful and help so many religion (for some) seems to be a catalyst for hate and bigotry.

Posted by Red September 10, 08 08:23 AM

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Michael Paulson covers religion for The Boston Globe. He shared in the Pulitzer Prize in 2003, won the Mike Berger, Templeton and Supple awards in 2008, and is a four-time winner of the Wilbur Award.
E-mail mpaulson@globe.com.

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Photo, by Yoon S. Byun of the Globe staff, shows Harriet Severino, 45, practicing Zen meditation on May 19, 2009 at a weekly gathering called Ralph Waldo Emerson Zen Sangha at the First Church in Boston (Unitarian Universalist).