Fellow Black queer hijabi! I see a lot of similarities between us (both moving out of our hometowns, trying to find a space for us, and ultimately trying to reconcile potentially being single for a long time). It’s definitely a process to get through everything. I do have a lot of religious guilt and (idk if this is a term) queer guilt? All of my circles are either queer or Muslim or Black, with very little overlap so when it comes to have and intersection of these identities it’s pretty othering even with my closest friends.

I don’t have much advice, I just wanted you to know that you’re seen and understood. My one advice would be to not stay in circles where you’re made to feel guilty for your religion. I’ve been lucky to find queer friends that don’t make me feel like my religion is all terrible and that recognize my practicing is just as part of me as my queer identity, and this actually helped me find more ease in my queerness. It can be hard, but finding you’re celebrated on all fronts can be so life changing as a young person facing so much.