Praying Away the Gay: A Memoir

to an acquaintance, a colleague, or, most crucially, your own self. "Pray the Gay Away" chronicles the journey of Michael and Zach as they navigate awkward romantic encounters, drug-influenced episodes, the process of revealing their identities to one another, and their most formidable adversary—their mother, a woman who not only brought into the world what she deems a single misstep but two. This personal narrative humorously and touchingly delves into the experience of maturing as homosexual, Iraqi twins in contemporary America. The genesis of "Pray the Gay Away" occurred on the night their mother surreptitiously entered their sleeping quarters and compelled them to consume "sacred grapes," determined to eradicate their perceived homosexuality. The Zakar Twins represent emerging voices advocating against societal norms and generational expectations, particularly within the Iraqi community, that stigmatize homosexuality. This publication is intended not solely for the LGBTQ+ demographic but also for young adults aspiring to attain a sense of normalcy.

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