Free to love whomever you choose

“A year ago, I couldn’t have imagined myself taking part in a pageant either. I shared the same clichéd view of it being little more than a beauty contest. But I quickly realised that the team behind Mister Gay Belgium was genuinely looking for a spokesperson – an ambassador – for the LGBTQIA+ community. They expect you to highlight key issues and support specific projects. That’s what convinced me to go for it.”

“Legally speaking, we really can’t complain in Belgium – there are few countries that offer a better environment for our community. And yet, more than half of LGBTQIA+ people still don’t feel safe holding hands in public, and more than one in seven has experienced violence. Globally, we’re seeing troubling signs of intolerance – and it’s not just aimed at LGBTQIA+ people, but at minorities across the board.”

“I always tell my students: if you see injustice, you have to take action and be willing to get involved. It would be hypocritical of me to say that and not act on it myself. I can choose to stand on the sidelines, or I can step up and do something. And right now, the opportunity is here.”
 

“The cliché says all Muslims are against homosexuality. But my family were the first on the dance floor at our wedding” 

“Religion is still being used around the world to persecute minorities – that’s a reality. Even today, people are rejected by their own families because of their sexual orientation. But I also want to show that there is light, there is hope. My father is Muslim and my mother Christian. It took me a long time to come out to them because there’s this idea that all Muslims are against homosexuality. But when I did tell them, they didn’t bat an eyelid. They embraced me – and my husband, from the moment he came into my life. At our wedding, they were the first on the dance floor.”

“Through my work as a teacher, I’ve had positive experiences as well. I’ve taught in multicultural classrooms, and my students have always known I’m married to a man. It’s never been a problem. That’s partly because I open up the conversation – I ask what they think and listen to their concerns or frustrations. When you take the time to truly understand each other, you realise that someone is more than just a man who loves men – and that your students are more than just Muslim. You find common ground, and you build mutual respect. You just have to dare to look further and have the conversation.”

“I’m realistic. I know I’m not going to change the world in three months. But I do believe we have reason to hope. I’ve already had some conversations within religious circles – with a bishop and an imam – who were quick to say yes. My goal over the coming months is to build on that, to create more public space for those conversations. Faith leaders can have a powerful influence, and their voices are vital in opening up the debate. I want to support projects that bridge the gap between religion and the LGBTQIA+ community. It’s essential that people feel safe and able to embrace both sides of who they are – to practise their faith and be LGBTQIA+.”*

*This is a machine translation. We apologise for any inaccuracies.