Être gay ou lesbienne et musulman-e dans la Tunisie post-2011 : les négociations d’une antinomie

Abstract

The present study focuses on the identity constructions of a group of young Tunisian homosexuals. Led by a survey based on semi-structured interviews with nine Muslim gays and six Muslim Lesbians, the study attempts to report on the negotiations between a Muslim identity and a homosexual identity. The qualitative analysis of the data reveals the attachment of gays and lesbians to their sexual identity. Nevertheless, the relationship with Islam takes many forms. Some opt for the separation between the practice of the precepts of Islam and the homosexual practice in order to diminish the dissonance between faith and homosexuality. Others choose to move towards a form of spirituality by creating an individual and singular relationship with God. Finally, one of the questioned gay men opts for detaching himself from Islam for a better preservation of his sexual identity.