I am a transgender person. It wasn't easy to become conscious of myself, especially at the time when I had no friends. I was sixteen years old and felt like I was all alone. It was difficult for me because of my family, I was thinking a lot about the future because of my identity and orientation.

I came out to my sister. I was worried that she would give me a cold shoulder or disdain me. But when I did it, it felt like I grew wings.

I consider myself a Muslim. But religion itself is not that important to me because it is Allah I believe in, not people. Religion doesn't play a major role in my life. If I get too religious, if I push myself and load myself down with it... I don't want to. My identity makes my life difficult. But I observe Ramadan, make donations. When someone says LGBT people should be stoned, I don't understand why they think that.

My outlook, my friends who know about both Islam and the LGBT... Awareness, knowledge is what keeps me going.

I am an LGBT person and to me that means freedom. Everyone is equal.

I am a Muslim and I believe only in Allah.

I am a Tajik and I am beautiful. I think all Tajiks are beautiful.

I think LGBT people should not think about the past or the future but live in the present. To think and know that whatever you do, even if you are a queer Muslim, is okay and there is nothing wrong with you.