A gay Muslim in Denmark is calling out hypocrisy within his own community for condemning discrimination while ignoring homophobia among believers. The debate has reignited discussion about religion, equal rights, and acceptance in Danish society.
A Call for Self-Reflection in Muslim Communities
Laeth Shir-Ali, a Danish doctor who identifies as both Muslim and gay, believes that Muslims in Denmark must confront their own prejudices. He argues that many are quick to speak up against hate speech and discrimination, yet remain silent when it comes to bias against LGBTQ+ individuals.
In his recent opinion piece published in *Politiken*, Shir-Ali wrote that it becomes easy for non-Muslim Danes to accuse Muslims of hypocrisy when intolerance toward queer Muslims continues within their communities. He emphasized that while progress has been made, homophobia remains a significant problem.
Triggered by Uneven Reactions
Shir-Ali’s remarks were sparked by reactions to two recent events. When a 2025 study by the Danish health authorities showed that only a small fraction of Danish Muslims viewed same-sex relationships as morally acceptable, there was little public discussion among Muslims. However, when the University of Copenhagen temporarily closed its prayer rooms, widespread protests broke out almost immediately.
For Shir-Ali, the silence surrounding LGBTQ+ discrimination contrasted sharply with the strong reactions to religious restrictions. He notes that some queer Muslims face threats of violence, social isolation, or even “re-education trips” abroad. These threats, he says, reveal the real consequences of exclusion.
A crisis center called RED+, which supports minority-ethnic LGBTQ+ youth in Denmark, confirmed that such harassment occurs. A government report from 2022 also found that 14 percent of LGBTQ+ people with immigrant backgrounds had faced threats of violence from their families because of their sexual orientation, compared to only one percent of Danes overall. This raises important questions about how LGBTQ+ acceptance in Denmark differs across ethnic and religious lines.
Religious Leaders Respond
Danish imam Naveed Baig expressed understanding for Shir-Ali’s frustration. He believes it is possible to practice Islam and be gay, insisting that Islam welcomes all people regardless of sexual orientation. Nevertheless, Baig recognizes the challenge in separating personal faith from moral or theological teachings about sexuality.
He stressed that no one should face verbal abuse, physical assault, or psychological violence because of who they are. Baig underlined that this principle applies to everyone, regardless of religion, and urged unity in rejecting discrimination in all forms.
Homophobia Strongest Among the Religious
Research continues to show a connection between strong religious belief and negative attitudes toward homosexuality. A 2025 study from the State Serum Institute and Aalborg University found that religious individuals were more likely to hold homophobic views. Another survey published by *Jyllands-Posten* in 2024 found that 59 percent of participating Muslims would not accept if their child chose to live openly as gay.
Shir-Ali believes this data highlights the persistent difficulty in separating theological opinions from pure prejudice. He acknowledges that attitudes are improving, particularly among younger Muslims, but stresses that change is not happening fast enough.
Signs of Progress and Hope
Despite the ongoing challenges, Shir-Ali sees major progress compared to previous decades. From his own experience, he describes how acceptance among families like his was unthinkable twenty years ago. Today, some Muslim parents in Denmark now openly support their LGBTQ+ children, signaling slow but meaningful cultural change.
Even so, he continues to urge open dialogue, self-reflection, and broader support from religious communities. He believes that calling out hypocrisy within his own group is essential for real change to take root.
The debate about religion and sexuality, once considered taboo, has now moved into the mainstream of Danish public life. It raises familiar questions about identity, freedom, and the kind of society Denmark wants to be. In a country known for its progressive values and efforts to make Denmark LGBTQ-friendly, the discussion around faith and acceptance remains complex but necessary.
Sources and References
The Danish Dream: Is Denmark LGBTQ-Friendly?
The Danish Dream: Best Psychologists in Denmark for Foreigners
TV2: Muslim peger på et hykleri i Danmark
