#itsbeenagoodrun

In “Gay Imperialism”, Haritaworn, Tauqir and Erdem talk about the integration project of civilizing “homophobic immigrants” (14). What is this project of integration? How does this affect LGBT Muslims, according to the authors?

The project of integration referred to in the reading basically involves taking a strictly white approach in civilizing homophobic immigrants.  This includes both white heterosexuals and white homosexuals. They felt as though they could help differentiate homophobic immigrants from the others by implementing a Muslim test that could only be passed with the correct responses. It asked questions about how a Muslim would respond in a certain scenario with an expected response to be given. As you would think, this test became something to study for. It didn’t test the actual morals/thoughts/ideals of Muslims (which it shouldn’t because that’s ridiculous) but became like any other citizenship test where the only goal was to lie until you passed.

Overall, this had a couple of implications for LGBTQ Muslims. First, having whites as spokespeople for the Muslim community represents gay Muslims as victims without agency who cannot represent themselves. Also, these images feed directly into a virulent anti-Muslim racism. Alike, Queer Muslim voices are instrumentalised for a homophobia debate which largely takes place among whites. While some migrant and Muslim individuals have gained from the exceptionalist discourse, white gays have profited disproportionately from their aggressive (mis)representation of Muslim gays.

I haven't been on in so long, and even then it was almost like I had no followers at all beings how I haven't really talked to much of you since I was pregnant.

In the last year, my son turned 1. I finished school and it was one of the toughest years because I spent so much time away from my son. I'm now an NCMA and have a license to practice medical assisting. I recently acquired a wonderful position at an orthopaedic center and my life is just going in the absolutely right direction.

After living at home these last few years, I now have the means to plan my departure. I'll be moving out this summer with one of my best friends who's daughter is the same age as Parker. I'll be buying a car next month and my son's father is finally more involved in his sons life than he ever has been. Parker will be spending the day with his dad tomorrow for the very first time, and I just don't know what to do with myself (no he will absolutely NOT be staying the night).