Gay Muslims struggle under weight of 2 stigmas

In the wake ofthe Orlando shooting, Montreal's gay and lesbian Muslims are searching for a way to confront the fundamentalist Islam which has led to homophobia in their community.

The attack that killed 49 peoplehas led to discussion within the Muslim community as to how some interpretations of the Koran have sought to reinforce homophobia.

The shooter's father said that it is "up to God to punish homosexuals."

• Orlando gunman's father condemns shooting, sayshomosexuality an issue for God

CBC Montreal's Daybreak spoke with two Muslims who are part of the LGBT community. They both shared similar stories about the stigma surrounding homosexuality in Muslim circles.

Daybreak Montreal10:25Orlando: LGBTQ Muslims on homophobia and the way forward

Daybreak speaks to Montreal film-maker Arshad Khan and comedian Eman El-Husseini on how people who identify as part of the Muslim and LGBTQ communities on the Orlando shooting at the Pulse night club.

"I didn't come out as gay until I met my wife," Palestinian-Muslim Eman El-Husseini said about telling her family she was a lesbian.

"They didn't disown me, they weren't violent with me.I'm lucky."

Montreal-based filmmaker Arshad Khan is making a documentary, Abu, about coming out to his fundamentalist Muslim father.

"My parents weren't violent or nasty but there was a lot of mental anguish," Khan said.

Khan said Muslim society has historically been open to homosexuality but today's religious leaders are very misogynistic and right-wing.

Homophobia, Islamophobia andguns

"I'm from Pakistan. It's OK to marry a 12-year-old girl but it's not OKto have consensual same-sex love anymore. It's ridiculous," Khan said.

He added that the Orlando shooting is serving to increase Islamophobia.

• Orlando gunman had shaky grasp on differences between Islamic extremist groups

Both Khan and El-Husseini agree that as people wrestle with homophobia and Islamophobia, guns are what really deserve the blame.

"But I think Muslims should be a bit more conscious of homosexuality," Khan added.