Headlines

MR. GAY DENMARK COMES OUT AS MUSLIM

Wed, 5 September 2012

The recently-crowned winner of Mr. Gay Denmark has revealed that he chose to adopt the Muslim faith; one not known for being accepting of gay people.

Thirty-four-year-old Michael Sinan Thomsen took the title on 16 August during Pride week in Copenhagen.

In interviews, the blond hunk has talked about the challenges of being Muslim and gay.

Speaking to tilgrandecolibri.com, Thomsen, who married his boyfriend in July last year, explained that he wants to show a different side to Muslims.

"I participated in the Mr. Gay competition because I wanted to show to gay and straight people that gay Muslims exist, and that I am proud to be one of them. And furthermore that modern Muslims exist, even straight modern Muslims,” he said.

Thomsen, who was born to a Christian family, said that he chose to become Muslim after growing up with Turkish friends and reading about various religions as a child.

He also has a degree in Turkology and plays the Turkish tambourine.

"From what I see, many gay people start to fear Islam because of some extremist and not intelligent Muslims we have in Denmark," said Thomsen.

He admitted, however, that he doesn’t attend mosques in Denmark as he doesn’t like the atmosphere in those communities.

"This is my opinion: no one is gonna tell me that I have to choose between my religion or sexuality. We live in 2012 and there is every opportunity to live as a modern Muslim who is devoted to God," said Thomsen.

"I have a lot of Muslim friends who are really understanding about my homosexuality. They don't treat me differently at all. However they are very careful about what they 'like' on my Facebook page. They are sadly afraid of what other Muslims might think of them."