Noor
My name is Noor, and I am queer and a trans-Muslim.
I am the child of immigrants and grew up in Texas, immersed in the world of reading and writing stories. During my childhood, I was a non-speaking kid and a shy teenager, often spending a significant amount of time lost in my own thoughts.
Pronouns: he/him
Photo credit: Noor archives
At home, I not only had to deal with my own problems but also had to navigate my parents' issues. This environment made me feel unsafe, prompting me to turn to prayer as a source of hope for a better future. However, when I realized that I was falling in love with a girl, it felt like a cruel twist of fate.
Up until then, the only stories I had heard about queer Muslims involved individuals who had been harmed and disowned by their families. I believed that I would never have a future where I could openly embrace my true self and find happiness.
Everything changed when I began actively searching for other queer Muslims. Through blogs, videos, and books, I discovered a vibrant community that gave me hope. If I could connect with these community members in person, I knew I would witness firsthand that the lives I had been reading about—lives filled with dreams, love, and companionship—were being lived out every day.
Motivated by this newfound hope, I started reaching out and establishing connections within the community. When I enrolled in college, I began laying the foundation for a life of my own. Attending conferences provided me with the opportunity to meet other queer and trans-Muslims face-to-face, solidifying my faith even further. I learned about their personal journeys in various aspects of life, such as falling in love, achieving financial independence, and recovering from trauma. For the first time in my existence, I experienced a profound sense of peace. Building a life where I could be myself is an ongoing challenge - and it’s worth every single step.
Photo credit: Noor archives
