Surviving as a Poor Homosexual In a Conservative Islamic Nation-State
It can be exceedingly tricky and excruciatingly painful to survive as a poor homosexual in a modern-day Islamic country where laws are carefully devised to marginalize you. Therefore, one has to be resilient, resourceful, and have a reliable support system. Here are a few helping points:
Use the Internet like it's your (reasonable) parent: Use it to educate yourself, unlearn lies and propaganda taught to you, and absorb Information from many national and international sources. Learn about rights and healthcare, and find support networks on Facebook, Twitter, Bigo Live, Tiktok, and Instagram. Apps like Grindr, Scruff, Badu, and Blued can be used to find partners. These apps allow users to hide their identities and communicate until they feel safe meeting in person. Use a VPN. Be vigilant and cautious. The Internet can help queer people in oppressive Islamic countries but can also be dangerous. Online identities must be protected, and dangerous Information avoided. Some governments may monitor online activity and persecute homosexual and queer people, so use online resources safely and responsibly.
Find a secure neighborhood: Connecting with other people, especially those going through similar experiences, can give one emotional support and a strong sense of community. Suppose one's looking for any spaces they are safe to access. That can be done in person (although one has to be extremely cautious) or online through queer social media applications, websites, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other social media groups.
Be cautious and discrete: Being visibly homosexual can result in harassment, discrimination, and even violence in traditional Islamic communities, where homosexuality is frequently viewed as morally undesirable or often unacceptable. Although it's impossible for everyone, It's of immense importance to exercise different levels of caution, be discrete, and keep your same-sex partners' public shows of affection to a bare minimum to avoid negative attention.
Find alliances: seeking supportive and accepting relatives, friends, or coworkers can help create a network of people who can offer assistance and safety when needed, not to mention the sense of acceptance and feeling of normalization that comes with it.
Financial stability: For people who are marginalized and subject to job harassment, having a stable financial situation might be essential for survival because money often brings agency and power. Make efforts to develop your financial independence by going to school, getting a job, or discovering additional sources of cash.
Consult a lawyer: Because laws on homosexuality differ from country to country, culture to culture, it's critical to understand the rules and potential repercussions in your own country. Consult a good lawyer or do a thorough internet search if you are dealing with legal problems or discrimination.
Get mental health support: Being a poor homosexual in a conservative Islamic country can be stressful and debilitating, which can hurt one's mental health. If at all feasible, seek the assistance of a mental health expert. You should also find ways to emphasize self-care, such as participating in recreational activities. Enjoyable and relaxing activities, if possible.
Migration: Migration can be a way to flee persecution and discrimination and seek safety, protection, and freedom. This can include seeking asylum in other countries where human rights are recognized and protected and migrating to more liberal parts of the same country where they can live more openly and freely. It is important to note that migration is not always a viable or desirable option for many queer people living in oppressive conservative Islamic countries. Many people face significant barriers to migration, such as financial and logistical difficulties, a lack of legal status, and discrimination in the immigration process. Furthermore, some people may not want to leave their families, communities, or cultures. They may choose to remain in their home countries and fight for their rights and freedoms. It is critical to recognize that migration is not the only solution and that homosexual or queer people in these countries require internal and external support, advocacy, and solidarity.
In short, it takes excellent resilience, resourcefulness, creativity, and a robust support system to survive as a poor homosexual in conservative Islamic societies. Nevertheless, people can overcome these obstacles and lead satisfying lives by finding safe groups, allies, and legal support, establishing financial stability and prioritizing their mental and physical safety whenever possible.