NEW YORK – Born in the suburbs of Seattle to a close-knit middle-class American family, Omar said he felt pressure to live up to his family’s expectations, as a man and as a Muslim. At UCLA, he attended prayers and participated in the Muslim Student Association. But in secret, he started dating men. Unable to reconcile being gay with his faith, he stepped away from Islam. Since moving to New York City five years ago, Omar has lived as an openly gay man. Traditionally, Islam does not tolerate homosexuality. Of the estimated 4 to 7 million Muslims living in the U.S., many are first-generation immigrants, who, like Omar’s Pakistani parents, came from countries where same-sex relationships are stigmatized, criminalized or even punishable by death. [link]
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