While Islam lacks a central governing body to put forth any official stance on homosexuality, those who adhere strictly to the words of the Quran tend to interpret the text similarly to the traditionalist followers of the other Abrahamic religions – as condemning same-sex love.
But Nour Tayara doesn’t see it that way.
The queer Arab makeup mogul has never viewed his sexuality as contradictory to his faith. In fact, he believes in an Islam that has always embraced the beauty of human diversity.
Tayara is the founder of the plastic-free makeup brand AORA, which he launched in 2023 after working for over a decade at L’Oreal. He runs the company from Mexico, though he lived all over the world before settling there about five years ago.
Islam is about One Thousand and One Nights, the harems, men dressed in silk robes lying on gorgeous cushions in amazing interiors. It never felt austere. It never felt scary. It always felt like something so happy. For me, it always felt a bit gay.The company launched in the country in 2023 and then in the United States in 2025. Tayara found success quickly in the U.S. market, so much so that AORA was asked to do the makeup for this year’s Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Through it all, he has remained committed to his Muslim faith and to publicly expressing pride in his Arab roots. Tayra spoke with LGBTQ Nation about what keeps him connected to Islam, and why, in his view, the religion has always felt a little bit gay. » | Molly Sprayregen | Wednesday, June 3, 2026
