Ifti Nasim 64 Gay Pakistani Muslim Poet

[MWB]

A well-known openly gay Pakistani Muslim poet and Chicago radio show host
has died.

Ifti Nasim was 64. His sister Ajaz Nasreen tells The Associated Press he
died Friday following a heart attack.

Nasim was a fixture in Chicago's South Asian community, known for his
activism, flamboyant fashion and touching poetry that dealt with themes
including homosexuality, politics and his native Pakistan. He immigrated
more than three decades ago.

Nasim was a founder of SANGAT/Chicago, a South Asian lesbian, gay and
transgender organization. His book "Narman" which was believed to be the
first book of gay themed poetry to be published in Urdu.

He was inducted into the Chicago Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 1996.

A funeral was Saturday. Religious memorial services