Hidden oices:

The Li es of LGBT
Muslims
AN INTERACTIVE PRESENTATION BY FAISAL ALAM

Faisal Alam is a queer Muslim activist of Pakistani descent. He

is the founder & former volunteer director of Al-Fatiha, a US-
based organization dedicated to Muslims who are lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning (LGBTIQ).
Al-Fatiha's mission is to support, empower and advocate on
behalf of LGBTIQ Muslims and to promote progressive Islamic
notions of peace and social justice.
Full bio on back ------------------>

This presentation aims to dispel myths about Islam, a religion that is commonly misunderstood
in today's world. By exploring the complex diversity within the Muslim world and by illustrating
the many challenges facing queer Muslims, this presentation will bring new light into the lives of
an often invisible and silent community: Muslims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,
intersex and questioning. LGBT human rights, the concerns of women and religious minorities
and the history of sodomy laws & Islamic Shariah laws will also be discussed. Additionally the
history of the queer Muslim movement in the United States post 9/11 and the suppression of
LGBT people in predominantly Muslim countries under the guise of the "war on terror" will also
be explored in this interactive presentation.

“The Lives of Queer Muslims” has been featured at more than forty universities and colleges including:
Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Michigan, Bates College, New York University,
Oberlin College, Williams College, University of Louisville, University of Colorado and University of Minnesota .

Faisal has been highlighted as a plenary and keynote speaker at major events including the Creating Change con-
ference (of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force) (2001), the Amnesty International’s Mid-Atlantic & Mid-
West regional conferences (2001) and the University of California system-wide LGBT conference (2003 & 2009).

Speaking Engagements in 2008 included: University of California—San Diego, Hofstra University, Dartmouth
College, James Madison University, Suffolk University, and Claremont College.

Speaking engagements available for Spring 09 and Fall 09 semesters. For more information on
booking a date and to bring Faisal to your school please email him at booking@hiddenvoices.info
or call 404-702-9772. Honorariums are negotiable and dates, venues and topics are flexible.
 Biography of Faisal Alam:

Faisal Alam is queer-identified Muslim activist of Pakistani descent.

He is the Founder & former Director of Al-Fatiha, a US-based
organization dedicated to supporting and empowering Muslims who are
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and those questioning
their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Since its inception in 1998, Al-Fatiha has grown to include eight

chapters in the United States with another seven sister-organizations
in three countries (the United Kingdom, South Africa and Canada).
Al-Fatiha has 800 members in the United States. Since its formation,
the organization has provided resources, counseling services and
information to more than 3,000 people around the world. Al-Fatiha’s
mission is to provide support and to empower LGBTIQ Muslims who are trying to reconcile their
sexual orientation or gender identity with their religion (Islam). In a post-9/11 world, Al-Fatiha continues to advocate on behalf of the
LGBTIQ Muslim community in immigration, refugee, and asylum cases, and in the HIV/AIDS and human rights movements. As an
all-volunteer organization Al-Fatiha serves as a crucial resource for those struggling with questions of sexuality, gender identity, and
faith.

Faisal has spoken at many high profile events across the country including LGBT interfaith services, interfaith panel discussions,
synagogues, churches, PFLAG meetings and other community events. Faisal’s presentation “Hidden Voices: The Lives of Queer
Muslims” has been featured at more than forty universities and colleges including Brown University, Carnegie Mellon University,
University of Michigan, Bates College, New York University, Oberlin College, Williams College, University of Louisville, University of
Colorado and University of Minnesota . He has been highlighted as a plenary and keynote speaker at major events including the
Creating Change conference (of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force) (2001), the Amnesty International’s Mid-Atlantic & Mid-
West regional conferences (2001) and the University of California system-wide LGBT conference (2003).

Faisal’s work with Al-Fatiha has been highlighted in newspapers and

magazines around the world, including the New York Times, Washington Post,
San Francisco Chronicle, Atlanta Journal Constitution, and the Miami Herald. He
has also appeared on BBC News and BBC Radio. He has written numerous
articles and opinion/editorials that have appeared in gay and lesbian papers
including the Washington Blade the New York Blade, and the Southern Voice.
Faisal was one of the first LGBT leaders to speak out against the US-led
war in Afghanistan and the US-led invasion of Iraq and he was
instrumental in confronting the forthcoming attacks against Islam and
LGBT Muslims from conservative gay journalists and writers.

Faisal has received numerous recognitions and awards. He was selected as

an “Innovator” by the Advocate Magazine (in 2001), a “Founding Father”
by Genre Magazine (in 2002) and as one of 30 “Young Visionaries Under
30” by the Utne Reader (in 2002). In March 2003 he received a “Faith in Action” award by the Metropolitan Community Church of
New York City and in April 2003 Faisal honored by the American University LGBT and Ally Resource Center as the first recipient of
the Richard L. Schlegel Legion of Honor Award. In April 2005 the Equality Forum recognized Faisal as one of “40 Heroes” who have
made a defining difference in LGBT civil rights over the last forty years.

In addition to his LGBT faith-based activism, Faisal has campaigned on other social justice concerns including human rights,
immigration & asylum rights, HIV/AIDS education, and on behalf of LGBT youth. Faisal has been a member of numerous local
organizations in Washington, DC, Boston and Atlanta including: MASALA (Massachusetts South Asian Lesbian & Gay Association),
AQUA DC (Asian Queers United in Action), Khush DC (LGBT South Asian group) and OUTFront DC (the LGBT program of
Amnesty International, USA) and Trikone Atlanta (LGBT South Asian group).

Faisal’s full time work has included LGBT political organizing, youth leadership development, HIV/AIDS prevention and education in
the Asian/Pacific Islander community, and women’s reproductive health and reproductive justice. Faisal currently resides in Atlanta,
GA with his partner and their two cats—where he continues to advocate for peace, equality and justice.