Faisal Alam

Faisal Alam is a queer-identified Muslim activist of Pakistani descent. Struggling to reconcile his own sexuality with his faith, Faisal founded the first international LGBT Muslim organization called Al-Fatiha in October 1998 at the age of 20. The mission of Al-Fatiha, which means “The Opening” in Arabic, is to support and empower lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and intersex Muslims seeking ways to integrate their faith and their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Since Al-Fatiha’s inception, Faisal has traveled across the country and around the world to meet with LGBTQI Muslims to build a global queer Muslim movement. Faisal’s work with Al-Fatiha has been featured in queer and mainstream media including the New York Times, BBC World News, Al-Hayat, and the Washington Post. Faisal has received numerous recognitions and awards for his community activism. He was selected as an “Innovator” by the Advocate Magazine in 2001 and a “Founding Father” by Genre Magazine in 2002. In 2005, the Equality Forum honored Faisal as one of “40 Heroes” who have made a defining different in LGBT civil rights over the last forty years.

Faisal resides in Atlanta, GA with his partner and their two cats where he continues to advocate for peace, equality and justice.