“Pray The Gay Away” Puts Growing Up LGBTQ in Michigan’s Arab-American Community Center Stage

Zach and Michael Zakar grew up in Troy, Michigan in an Iraqi Christian household. When they came out to their devout mother, she splashed them with holy water. Their book-turned-play premieres in Michigan this weekend.

Courtesy of the Zakar Twins
Courtesy of the Zakar Twins

This weekend at the Baldwin Theatre, two Michigan actors will bring their story to life on stage.

Michael and Zach Zakar are gay twin brothers from Troy, Michigan, who grew up in an Iraqi Christian household. As teenagers, they came out to their devout Catholic mother. Her response wasn’t kind she threw holy water on the twins.

The Zakar twins turned their personal story into a book called “Pray the Gay Away,” which is now a touring stage show.

“Pray the Gay Away” is being staged at the Baldwin Theatre in Royal Oak from March 5th through the 8th. You can find tickets and more information here.

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Author

  • Ryan Patrick Hooper
    Ryan Patrick Hooper is the award-winning host of "In the Groove" on 101.9 WDET-FM Detroit’s NPR station. Hooper has covered stories for the New York Times, NPR, Detroit Free Press, Hour Detroit, SPIN and Paste magazine.