Muslim and Asian groups get greater Mardi Gras exposure

Muslim and Asian groups get greater Mardi Gras exposure

This year’s Sydney Mardi Gras will see the biggest involvement from the Australian Muslim community to date, while there is much on offer from the Asian Australian community as well.

Marching group Muslims Against Homophobia is participating in the parade for the second time. Spokeswoman Alice Aslan said the group was about visibility and acceptance.

“We are proudly representing queer Muslims and by being very visible we are trying to inspire everyone from a Muslim background and Muslims in Australia to get involved in this campaign,” she said.

Aslan said she found it was becoming easier in Muslim communities to talk about issues of same-sex attraction.

“There is now a movement by gay and lesbian Muslims in both Eastern countries and Western countries and I think that makes it easier for Muslims in general, not only in Australia, to talk about these issues.”

This year’s Queer Thinking program features sessions titled ‘Do you see me? Behind the mask of the Asian gay man’ and ‘I am a Queer Muslim’ featuring Melbourne-based lawyer and social justice activist Alyena Mohummadally.

‘I am a Queer Muslim’ is presented by Muslims Against Homophobia. To the group’s knowledge, this is the first time a Muslim group has presented an official Mardi Gras event.
The sessions will be held on February 25 at the Seymour Centre.

Also on February 25, members of Sydney’s LGBTI Filipino community will battle it out at Petersham RSL to become Mardi Gras King and Queen of the Night in the Masque variety show. Magician Jonas Jost and the Trikone and Mindana dancers will perform.

Masque is a fundraiser for ACON’s Gay Asian Men’s Project.

Then the Unmask exhibition on February 28 explores the diversity of NSW’s Asian gay community and aims to capture the essence of what it means to be Asian, male and gay.

A-Men, a new photo essay book produced by the Gay Asian Men’s Project which captures the crossroads of art, sexuality and cultural identity, will be launched at the exhibition. There will also be a fashion runway show as well as music and cultural dance performances.

INFO: www.mardigras.org.au

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7 responses to “Muslim and Asian groups get greater Mardi Gras exposure”

  1. To Hell with your Christianity! You really believe people can be conceived through immaculate conception? Yeah right, and I came on the stork!

  2. Hey all you “dislikes”, let’s not forget that “clothes maketh the man”. We’ll put the men in burqas!

  3. Stuart you are wrong according to most Christian’s interpretation of the Scriptures. The polls show us the majority of Christians even seek Marriage Equality. How do you expect acceptance for your monority who are putting a Nazi Swartz sticker on the cover of the Bible, and dressing Jesus up in a Hitler Youth oufit? Your hate is really repulsive, and the Bible does not offer you sanctuary of that burning desire you show us trying to hate thy neighbour.

  4. Rebecca, how do you think gay people will gain acceptance? Do you really believe only a minority of people experience same-sex attraction? The Bible says homosexuality is punishable by death. Do you believe the oppression of gay people is the modern day equivalent? You’ve a good Hebrew name, Rebecca. Perhaps you can fill us in!

  5. Nice to see queer Muslims will be marching in this year’s Mardi Gras, even though queer nudists have never been included. Will they be wearing burqas?