Let me make one thing crystal clear—bisexuality is not a sin. But apparently, loving who I choose, existing as I am, is offensive enough to warrant machetes, threats, and an endless cycle of religious condemnation. Welcome to Bangladesh, where the LGBTQ community is pushed into hiding under the sharp blade of Islamic hypocrisy.
I grew up in a place where my mere existence was considered shameful. Where being anything other than straight was a scandal waiting to happen. Where every whisper about my sexuality made me feel like I was doing something wrong. But here’s the thing: I refused to stay quiet. I’m still here, unapologetically queer, even though society would rather I disappear. And I’m tired of hiding, tired of swallowing their guilt, and tired of pretending I’m not who I am.
Let’s talk about Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy. These men were murdered for doing what I’m doing right now—living openly, organizing, and speaking the truth. For what? For loving openly, for daring to be visible in a world that insists we stay in the shadows. Their deaths weren’t just tragedies—they were the result of a system that actively demonizes us. They were sacrificed on the altar of religious conservatism and Islamic extremism, and their blood still stains the streets of Dhaka.
But the real kicker? It’s not just the extremists. It’s the system that lets them get away with it. The Awami League loves to wave around their “secular” flag while happily cuddling up with Islamic extremists for political gain. The BNP doesn’t even try to hide its right-wing religious agenda. And the police? They’ll look the other way as long as it keeps them in the good graces of the religious majority. They tell us to be “less provocative”—as if our existence isn’t already the ultimate provocation.
Now, I don’t just have a problem with the hypocrisy of religious extremists. I have a problem with the cowardice of a society that allows them to thrive. We have to hide. We have to be “less visible” because the state has decided that our lives are expendable. To hell with that. Our bodies, our choices, our love—none of it should be up for negotiation.
To every queer woman—especially those still hiding in shame—hear this: Your sexual freedom is not a privilege, it’s your right. They want us to bow down and shrink ourselves to fit their narrow ideas of morality. I say, screw that. I refuse to let their religious intolerance define me. My identity is my own to claim, not theirs to judge.
Let’s be clear—this isn’t about acceptance. It’s about survival. It’s about being seen, being heard, and taking up space where they think we don’t belong. Every time we speak our truth, we challenge their system. And every time we stand tall, we defy the silence they’ve imposed on us. This is resistance. This is healing. And to anyone who feels alone—this blog, this platform, is for you. Because you’re not alone.
We’re not hiding anymore. We’re burning down the closet, and we’re taking up all the space we deserve.
