The L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Cultural Arts & Education Department Presents CULTURES IN COLLISION: ISLAM & HOMOSEXUALITY, 9/24

The L.A Gay & Lesbian Center, in partnership with the Goethe-Institut Los Angeles, will present the next event in the Center's ongoing series of free public discussions, Big Queer Convo. Cultures in Collision: Islam & Homosexuality will feature a discussion with Ani Zonneveld (songwriter, producer, activist) and Ipek ?pekçio?lu (world-renowned Turkish/German lesbian DJ). ?pekçio?lu and Zonneveld will examine the seldom-discussed and often denied presence of homosexuality in Islam, from both a U.S.-based and a worldwide perspective. Cultures in Collision: Islam & Homosexuality will also include a live musical performance by Zonneveld, and ?pekçio?lu will DJ during the post-event reception. This hard-hitting event will take place at the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center's Renberg Theatre on Monday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m.

Zonneveld co-founded of Muslims for Progressive Values (MFPV), an inclusive community organization rooted in the traditional Qur'anic ideals of human dignity and social justice. She is a straight ally of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community who works tirelessly to educate all communities about the roles that women and LGBT individuals play within the Islamic faith. She gained popularity as a pop singer in her home country of Malaysia and, as a U.S. resident, began to write Islamic-themed music in English in reaction to 9/11.

As a first-generation Turkish/German lesbian, ?pekçio?lu started life as a woman in an extremely patriarchal world. This humble beginning inspired her to pursue a degree in social work in hopes of changing the constructs of the world in which she fought to survive.

Then one day fate dropped a life-changing opportunity in her lap-that of entering the music business-and within a very short time, she decided she was capable of inspiring more change as a world-renowned DJ who is both Muslim and a lesbian. Her new career gave her the ability to travel all over the world and share her ideals in her own unique voice. 

For more information, visit lagaycenter.org/bigqueerconvo.