My name is Zohra and my family is of Pakistani/ Turkish heritage. I guess that I am lucky in that I grew up in a relatively "liberal" Muslim household but since coming out my dad has disconnected from me and I expect the rest of his family will do the same. At the peak of my religiosity I was very religious (wore hijab and abaya, wanted to study Islam as a degree etc) but since studying the religion further I realised that what I had been told Islam was, did not align with the reality of the religion. It seemed far more plausible that the religion was the 7th century Arab creation then it was possible that it was a divine religion. When I learnt about things such as slavery, the fact that women are not allowed to refuse sex to their husbands, and that women in general do not have the same status as men (testimony in court, dress, inheritance) despite what Muslims may claim I realised that Islam is a morally bankrupt religion. Added to this was the realisation that Muhammad does not live up the claim of being the most perfect man to ever live and my own experiences with the religion (feeling ashamed of my body if not dressed "modestly", being taught anti-Semetic and homophobic views at the mosque.) However, I know that as my coming out was not met with physical abuse or death threats I know that there are ex-Muslims in much greater danger and fear than I am, with much worse experiences. I want to join because I only know one other ex-Muslim personally and I would like to know and help more, and also because this is a "fuck you" to a religion that causes people so much pain. My life has become so much better without Islam, I am happier as a person and in my own body, I have experienced new things and made new friends, I appreciate and love my place in this wonderful universe far greatly than the narrow confines of religion would allow. Big love from London to all those reading, I hope you are all safe.