Gender

Ex-Muslim privilege ~ Voices of ExMuslim Women ~ Solidarity on International Women’s Day

Question:
What are the privileges you DO have as an Exmuslim woman that you did not have as a Muslim woman?

Jade ~ ExMuslim Women Solidarity on International Women's DayI don’t place silly limitations on myself. My identity is not wrapped up in my biological gender. I do what feels right. I live my life to the fullest. I have the experience of knowing that it’s a damn good idea to have sex with someone before you marry them – for my protection and happiness and to ensure that I’m physically compatible with the person I’m promising to spend the rest of my life with. I’m not held back by rules and fear. I realize I can have any kind of life I want – AS A HUMAN BEING – and the beauty and freedom in that is more astounding than anything else offered to me in this world.

Noura ~ ExMuslim Women Solidarity on International Women's DayI can define myself every day, and I love it. I need not refer to any texts to tell me what I should think or how I should behave. I can change my beliefs every day! I can voice my opinions without having anyone police me with Islamic principles. I can say, “I don’t believe that!” I can say, “I don’t know.” I can say, “That’s ridiculous.” I create my own principles. I submit to no one. And I need not deprive myself of any human pleasures. I can be intimate with another person without feeling any guilt. No torment. I am liberated.

Taslima ~ ExMuslim Women Solidarity on International Women's DayI have the privilege of having the psychological tools I need to change cities and live my life the way I want.

 

Maha ~ ExMuslim Women Solidarity on International Women's DayI’m freer than I would have ever been had things not gone the way they did ten years ago. I get to experience life to the fullest – the good and bad. I know what it’s like to fall in love, to be in a relationship, and to fall out of love or have my heart broken. I know what it’s like to try to make ends meet while working paycheck-to-paycheck. My friends hop, skip, and jump from longitude to longitude. I get to travel freely, explore freely, and think as much as my mind wants without the threat of hell or shame from a fake community.

The day I left Islam was the day humanity and science released me from the hell of religious solitary confinement.

I get to hug a dog and fall in love with him because he’s a beautiful soul – without horrifying screams from Muslims about washing my hands seven times to get rid of the pup’s kisses.

I get to use tampons.

I get to enjoy and explore my sexuality without shame or humiliation.

I get to speak out and fight for the rights of women still silenced and oppressed.

I get to make friends with prisoners and the indigent, and help them fight legal battles against the corrupt and the rich.

I get to be me.

Follow Maha on Twitter

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Continue reading…
Introduction
Part 1: Self worth, self image
Part 2: Inferiority
Part 3: Your former self
Part 4: To understand
Part 5: Muslim privilege
Part 6: Ex-Muslim privilege
Part 7: Open

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Open ~ Voices of ExMuslim Women ~ Solidarity on International Women's Day

Don’t Judge a Woman by her Cover: the Hijab and Unethical Judgments | Between a Veil and a Dark Place: Missives of an Ex-Muslim Woman

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