What gay Muslims are saying about the Orlando shooting

Sunday began with one of the deadliest shootings in American history — at least 49 people were killed and more than 50 were injured. The attack took place at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, and the suspect was an American Muslim who pledged allegiance to ISIS the night of the attack.

The shooting is an immense tragedy for all Americans, but not all Americans will be equally affected in the days and weeks moving forward. Queer Muslims in particular are caught in the crossfire, mourning the tragedy even as they fear an anti-Muslim backlash in the wake of the attack. (According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, as of 2014, rates of hate crimes in the U.S. had declined against every group except Muslims.)

Samra Habib, who curates Just Me and Allah, a queer Muslim photo project, wrote about the incident in a piece for The Guardian titled "Queer Muslims exist — and we are in mourning too." She wants people to know that "being a peace-loving Muslim who is just as angered by homophobic attacks as everyone else isn't out of the ordinary." Here's more from Habib's piece:

"We are now used to the fact that, every time a criminally misguided Muslim commits an act of violence, the entire religion and all its followers are questioned and placed under suspicion in a way that isn't replicated with other faiths. We – and this of course includes queer Muslims – have to take extra care walking down the street at night and entering our mosques for fear of Islamophobic attacks. Muslim organizations and activist groups are tasked with the responsibility of releasing public statements, apologizing for the actions of terrorists and reminding the world that Islam promotes peace so innocent Muslims who are just trying to go about their daily lives don't suffer repercussions.

...Our thoughts must for now be with those in Orlando. But over the next few days, as we try to recover from this atrocity and begin to piece together what it all means, it's important to remember that Islam is exploited by religious extremists all over the world, often in attacks committed against other Muslims...this can't be boiled down to us v them. We're all experiencing the same tragedy together."

But some suggested that this tragedy will indeed be experienced differently by different groups. In a stream of tweets, one user expressed just how hard it is to be both queer and Muslim right now:

نورالعين شاحد @YxxngHippie
Life as a Queer Muslim is hard right now-

The Muslim community throws us under the bus &
The LGBT+ community throws us under the bus.
2:59 PM - 12 Jun 2016
966 966 Retweets 1,168 1,168 likes

Twitter user @YxxngHippie continues, "For the former, we are branded as 'kaffirs' (non-Muslims), and 'deviants,' and the latter tells us we are not queer enough. The former is rampant with anti-queer/trans rhetoric, and the other is rampant with racism & islamophobia (just look at grindr profiles). We're shunned from both sides and many of us are so torn right now. Where do our allegiances lie? Which community do we defend?"

Shawn Ahmed, who runs The Uncultured Project, an anti-poverty organization: "If all the Muslims in my mentions right now condemning me for being a gay Muslim could condemn the Muslim shooter instead, that'd be great."

The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA): "For those of us who are LGBTQ and Muslim, we wait to see which of our identities we will be more fearful of disclosing in a world that questions our existence and intentions daily. We have found no contradiction in being both queer and Muslim, and reject the popular narrative that Islam or the Muslim community as a whole is homophobic and transphobic. We are proud to be both queer and Muslim, and cherish both of our communities."

Islamic studies professor Amanullah De Sondy: "The challenge for Muslim communities around the globe today is to find and appreciate differences and pluralism and to support the lives of believers who do not fit societal norms. It is imperative if we want to support those on the margins who are hurt and damaged.

"We need to think carefully about what goes through the mind of that closeted Muslim man listening to the statements today, who may well end up married to someone of the opposite sex because he fears losing his position in his Muslim community. We need to think carefully about what these statements do to empower heterosexual Muslim individuals, who then stand to represent not just Islam but the "ideal" gender and sexuality."

LGBT pride within Muslim communities is also evident. On Twitter, many have circulated pictures of queer Muslims celebrating Pride month. And the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity (MASGD) noted this year's convergence of Pride month and Ramadan as a particularly special time of peace, community, and self-reflection.

The Islamic Monthly's Hina Tai: "Blame is on those who say homophobia is solely a Muslim problem, in order to further the cause of Islamophobia rather than recognize America's historic oppression of LGBTQ people...Blame is on our political leaders who continue to think gun control is up for debate while Obama gives his 18th presidential address in response to a mass shooting...Blame is on us who shamed LGBTQ Muslims and made them unwelcome in their own mosques and communities rather than promoting inclusivity....Blame is also on us who while condemning the violence purposefully erased the identities of LGBTQ from their statements...Blame is on those who will use this opportunity for political capital...Blame is on us who do not recognize that this shooting comes at an intersection of many different issues: homophobia, Islamophobia, (political-religious) extremism and gun violence — all issues that transcend religious and political lines."

Ben_Reilly wrote:There's a gay imam who's been speaking on national media the last few days.

"I think people see that I'm doing what the Koran encourages, which is to help people who need guidance, and this is something that most have not been doing. I think on the last day, Allah's going to ask them, "Why didn't you do what you knew was right to do?" They're going to be challenged to understand that just because they have a particular belief [that homosexuality is wrong] doesn't mean that they are the only interpreters of the Koran."

eddie wrote:Not very politically correct. The word "queer" isn't a favourable phrase.

     what cha ya gonna do    those Asian's used it in their group logo name too

Queer Muslims in particular are caught in the crossfire, mourning the tragedy even as they fear an anti-Muslim backlash in the wake of the attack. (According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, as of 2014, rates of hate crimes in the U.S. had declined against every group except Muslims.)

Miffs2 wrote:I bet you anything you like not one of those gay Muslims will go to their local Mosque and say any of that.

4EVER2 wrote:Well, I read the entire article and managed to move right along without getting STUCK by a word that was very much part of the story line

eddie wrote:

4EVER2 wrote:Well, I read the entire article and managed to move right along without getting STUCK by a word that was very much part of the story line

Well done. You are almost cleverer than most of us now.

eddie wrote:Not very politically correct. The word "queer" isn't a favourable phrase.

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:Not very politically correct. The word "queer" isn't a favourable phrase.

They use it themselves! LGBTQ?

4EVER2 wrote:

eddie wrote:

4EVER2 wrote:Well, I read the entire article and managed to move right along without getting STUCK by a word that was very much part of the story line

Well done. You are almost cleverer than most of us now.

And you seem to be dragging a heavy pack of snarky grudge attitude around with you ...for someone that's claimed, "I never do such a thing" ...your coy facade has slipped and your true nature is showing

eddie wrote:That's very true and only time can ever tell 4ever.
About anything in life.

You will see that I irritate posters on occasion, but I'm not really hated or disliked much on here, or anywhere tbf.
Now they can't ALL be stupid or blind can they?
And as you know and have stated a few times, I'm not that clever.

eddie wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:Not very politically correct. The word "queer" isn't a favourable phrase.

They use it themselves! LGBTQ?

I know. That was my point Ben. I don't need to write big long articles, I made a claim and found it odd that they would use that word considering gays don't like it.

4EVER2 wrote:

eddie wrote:That's very true and only time can ever tell 4ever.
About anything in life.

You will see that I irritate posters on occasion, but I'm not really hated or disliked much on here, or anywhere tbf.
Now they can't ALL be stupid or blind can they?
And as you know and have stated a few times, I'm not that clever.

  Was that some 'popularity poll' that you'd started around here somewhere? Because that's really nothing that has ever been a concern or a worry.
   I finished with all that back in grammar school - didn't you?

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:Not very politically correct. The word "queer" isn't a favourable phrase.

They use it themselves! LGBTQ?

I know. That was my point Ben. I don't need to write big long articles, I made a claim and found it odd that they would use that word considering gays don't like it.

Let me clarify -- "queer" is used by the LGBTQ community and the media in reporting on them, it's not taken as an offensive term here unless used in an obviously hateful way.

eddie wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:Not very politically correct. The word "queer" isn't a favourable phrase.

They use it themselves! LGBTQ?

I know. That was my point Ben. I don't need to write big long articles, I made a claim and found it odd that they would use that word considering gays don't like it.

Let me clarify -- "queer" is used by the LGBTQ community and the media in reporting on them, it's not taken as an offensive term here unless used in an obviously hateful way.

It is over here.  Most gays don't like it.
It wasn't a dig at you or anyone, it was an observation.

eddie wrote:They do yes. I belong somewhere far far away....

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:They do yes. I belong somewhere far far away....

Well, we'll have y'all in Texas, we welcome ever'body Seriously, I've lived with, learned from and loved people from every part of the world here -- Vietnam, England, Scotland, Australia, Iraq, Ethiopia, Germany, Sweden, Laos, the Ukraine ... that's just what I can come up with off the top of my head. You'll never find another place in the world where you can celebrate the accomplishments of Scots-Irish immigrants while eating pastries we got from the Czechs for breakfast and looking forward to a dinner we came up with from combining the culinary talents of Mexicans, Germans and freed black slaves (barbecue as it's done nowhere else).

Texas is a magical place. I once interviewed a woman who was absolutely delighted that when her church group went to Namibia to build housing for the poor, they also taught the people there to say "boy howdy." As in, "Boy howdy, that's a zebra over there!"

It's a combination of love, wit, toughness, humor and tolerance you really don't get many other places ... though I feel in my bones that Australians are a lot like us

veya_victaous wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Well, we'll have y'all in Texas, we welcome ever'body Seriously, I've lived with, learned from and loved people from every part of the world here -- Vietnam, England, Scotland, Australia, Iraq, Ethiopia, Germany, Sweden, Laos, the Ukraine ... that's just what I can come up with off the top of my head. You'll never find another place in the world where you can celebrate the accomplishments of Scots-Irish immigrants while eating pastries we got from the Czechs for breakfast and looking forward to a dinner we came up with from combining the culinary talents of Mexicans, Germans and freed black slaves (barbecue as it's done nowhere else).

Texas is a magical place. I once interviewed a woman who was absolutely delighted that when her church group went to Namibia to build housing for the poor, they also taught the people there to say "boy howdy." As in, "Boy howdy, that's a zebra over there!"

It's a combination of love, wit, toughness, humor and tolerance you really don't get many other places ... though I feel in my bones that Australians are a lot like us

Well we are a lot like Texans....
crossed with Californians  
i think since we have less guns and less churches and more beach culture. In truth it varies where in Australia, inland more like Texas, the coast more like California but the further from the cities the more Texan like.

............................
......................

veya_victaous wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:They do yes. I belong somewhere far far away....

Well, we'll have y'all in Texas, we welcome ever'body Seriously, I've lived with, learned from and loved people from every part of the world here -- Vietnam, England, Scotland, Australia, Iraq, Ethiopia, Germany, Sweden, Laos, the Ukraine ... that's just what I can come up with off the top of my head. You'll never find another place in the world where you can celebrate the accomplishments of Scots-Irish immigrants while eating pastries we got from the Czechs for breakfast and looking forward to a dinner we came up with from combining the culinary talents of Mexicans, Germans and freed black slaves (barbecue as it's done nowhere else).

Texas is a magical place. I once interviewed a woman who was absolutely delighted that when her church group went to Namibia to build housing for the poor, they also taught the people there to say "boy howdy." As in, "Boy howdy, that's a zebra over there!"

It's a combination of love, wit, toughness, humor and tolerance you really don't get many other places ... though I feel in my bones that Australians are a lot like us

Well we are a lot like Texans....
crossed with Californians  
i think since we have less guns and less churches and more beach culture. In truth it varies where in Australia, inland more like Texas, the coast more like California but the further from the cities the more Texan like.

the combination you said, I think it comes from living in a 'tougher' land. When you can get killed by snakes or spiders, plus die of thirst if you get lost, it puts things into perspective.


in fact we are enough like texans where we have decided as a nation to steal your style of barbecue..    
it has become really popular down here, ten years ago it was rare now every 3rd pub probably has some on the menu and there are several that specialize in it and have 'big smokers' on premises (what we call your barbecue, what we call BBQ you call a grill... and aussies pretty much never write ours as Barbecue )

eddie wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Let me clarify -- "queer" is used by the LGBTQ community and the media in reporting on them, it's not taken as an offensive term here unless used in an obviously hateful way.

It is over here.  Most gays don't like it.
It wasn't a dig at you or anyone, it was an observation.

eddie wrote:Havent I always said....there's a little bit of magic everywhere you look?

I would love to travel to Texas and Oz and for some inexplicable reason I really want to go to Iceland and live there for the six months of darkness - that appeals to the really dark and secret part of my nature.
Something happens in the dark.

Raggamuffin wrote:

eddie wrote:
It is over here.  Most gays don't like it.
It wasn't a dig at you or anyone, it was an observation.

I'll agree with that - "queer" is considered a rather derogatory term when applied to gay people in the UK.

eddie wrote:Havent I always said....there's a little bit of magic everywhere you look?

I would love to travel to Texas and Oz and for some inexplicable reason I really want to go to Iceland and live there for the six months of darkness - that appeals to the really dark and secret part of my nature.
Something happens in the dark.

eddie wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

Let me clarify -- "queer" is used by the LGBTQ community and the media in reporting on them, it's not taken as an offensive term here unless used in an obviously hateful way.

It is over here.  Most gays don't like it.
It wasn't a dig at you or anyone, it was an observation.

veya_victaous wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:They do yes. I belong somewhere far far away....

Well, we'll have y'all in Texas, we welcome ever'body Seriously, I've lived with, learned from and loved people from every part of the world here -- Vietnam, England, Scotland, Australia, Iraq, Ethiopia, Germany, Sweden, Laos, the Ukraine ... that's just what I can come up with off the top of my head. You'll never find another place in the world where you can celebrate the accomplishments of Scots-Irish immigrants while eating pastries we got from the Czechs for breakfast and looking forward to a dinner we came up with from combining the culinary talents of Mexicans, Germans and freed black slaves (barbecue as it's done nowhere else).

Texas is a magical place. I once interviewed a woman who was absolutely delighted that when her church group went to Namibia to build housing for the poor, they also taught the people there to say "boy howdy." As in, "Boy howdy, that's a zebra over there!"

It's a combination of love, wit, toughness, humor and tolerance you really don't get many other places ... though I feel in my bones that Australians are a lot like us

Well we are a lot like Texans....
crossed with Californians  
i think since we have less guns and less churches and more beach culture. In truth it varies where in Australia, inland more like Texas, the coast more like California but the further from the cities the more Texan like.

the combination you said, I think it comes from living in a 'tougher' land. When you can get killed by snakes or spiders, plus die of thirst if you get lost, it puts things into perspective.


in fact we are enough like texans where we have decided as a nation to steal your style of barbecue..    
it has become really popular down here, ten years ago it was rare now every 3rd pub probably has some on the menu and there are several that specialize in it and have 'big smokers' on premises (what we call your barbecue, what we call BBQ you call a grill... and aussies pretty much never write ours as Barbecue )

eddie wrote:I'm going to sound stupid but WTF?
I never knew Texas had a coastline?

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:I'm going to sound stupid but WTF?
I never knew Texas had a coastline?

Yep! A huge chunk of the Gulf of Mexico borders up to Texas.

eddie wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:I'm going to sound stupid but WTF?
I never knew Texas had a coastline?

Yep! A huge chunk of the Gulf of Mexico borders up to Texas.

Of course it does

Still, you never associate Texas with beaches somehow. I absolutely love the sea.

eddie wrote:Yeah I mean what an off-topic title for the thread right?

Some nice pics there, really nice. I'm sold on that.
I like how you threw in some random beautiful people at a bar - is this your local hang-out?

Ben_Reilly wrote:

eddie wrote:Yeah I mean what an off-topic title for the thread right?

Some nice pics there, really nice. I'm sold on that.
I like how you threw in some random beautiful people at a bar - is this your local hang-out?

I wish No, that's the Riverwalk in San Antonio. Here's a better photo: