Because of Islamophobic programming, for a lot of Americans the ideas of “queer” and “Muslim” don’t immediately exist. But because Muslims are people, there are obviously queer Muslims across the spectrum, and they have left a lasting legacy on the world.

San Francisco‘s SOMArts Cultural Center has an upcoming exhibition exploring this legacy, and the ways it queerness is expressed in Islam today. Curated by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Yas Ahmed, The Third Muslim: Queer and Trans* Muslim Narratives of Resistance and Resilience is described as the “first exhibition of its kind, bringing together queer Muslim artists ranging from Syrian to Somali to Pakistani heritage.”

Opening with a free public reception on January 25, The Third Muslim has a two-pronged mission. It both challenges gender-based oppression within Islam, as well as combats racism, colorism, anti-Blackness and Islamophobia within mainstream queer and trans communities.

“Given the current climate of heightened Islamophobia, The Third Muslim provides a timely opportunity to address the intersectional issues facing queer Muslims today,” SOMArts Director of Communications & Strategy Sarah Pritchard said.

Get news about SOMArts events & exhibitions here!