THE GAYS AREN’T GOING TO HELL, DAD. (From Corporal Punishment to Queer Liberation)

Comedian, writer, and actor Tarek Ziad becomes the first Muslim man (and first queer man) to join the podcast. Like two besties at a slumber party, Salma and Tarek honestly and hilariously unravel everything their communities tell them to hide: queerness, shame, corporal punishment, disownment, religion, sexual repression, and the long, painful road toward loving yourself. Tarek shares his journey growing up Berber (Amazigh) in a strict Moroccan household in Florida: from being punished for harmless physical contact with the opposite gender, to enduring violence and religious guilt, to getting into Yale, exploring his sexuality and cutting off his parents for his own survival, to eventually being disowned after coming out. Salma opens up about calling child services on her abusive brother-in-law, losing access to her nephews, and the real reason her family cut her off (hint: it wasn’t the hijab - it was her sexuality). She also shares her father’s iconic line, “Let’s just agree the gays are going to hell,” and her equally iconic clapback. Together they explore: how repression destroys entire generations Muslim queerness vs. white queerness whether you must abandon culture or family to live authentically what Islam actually says about sexuality the obsession with top/bottom labels vaginismus vs. bottoming fear indigenous Amazigh tattoo traditions breaking cycles of violence and shame finding chosen family and safer community the privilege and danger of “coming out” in MENA contexts This episode is a portal: painful, funny, deeply human, and radically liberating. It's a love letter to everyone raised on fear who is now trying to build a life rooted in truth. This episode is dedicated to Salma’s 17 nieces and nephews - she loves you no matter what. CREDITS: Host & Creator: Salma Hindy Executive Producer: Salma Hindy Cinematographer: Patrick Samaha Studio: 30 Irving Studios Editor: Salma Hindy Artwork: Rana Omar © The Secret Sex Lives of Muslim Women, 2025