February 26, 2018
Praying the Gay Away with the Zakar Twins
Steve Duffy READ TIME: 4 MIN.
The Zakar Twins - Michael and Zach - have made a splash in the past few years with their cheeky comments and even cheekier photos. The LGBTQ advocates, writers, models and self-described misfits recently turned their coming out experience into a book, "Pray the Gay Away," which was inspired when their mother - whom they've described as Carrie's mother - threw holy water on them.
The twins are proud LGBTQ Iraqi-Americans who use their visibility to reach out to the LGBTQ population in Arab countries, as well as gay youth in America. The web and television personality Daniel Tosh ("Tosh.0") put it this way when they appeared on his show: "Those identical twinks - twins - are the Zakar brothers. They are famous for making informative videos about homosexuality while groping each other. They might even be conjoined at dawn." (Watch their appearance on Tosh.0 below.)
While waiting for their book to be published, the brothers developed an app called
The Zakar Twins
EDGE caught up with the twins for a conversation.
EDGE: What was your childhood like?
Michael Zakar: We grew up in a very white suburb. We were outcasts. We were like the Arabic "Romy and Michele" of our neighborhood.
EDGE: When did you both realize you were gay?
Michael Zakar: I got a blowjob from a guy at school and everyone thought it was Zach getting it. I went home to tell him because there was a rumor going around school that he was gay and I wanted to apologize to him.
Zach Zakar: When he told me that, I shocked him by telling him that I got a blowjob from the same guy. You were just the one that got caught. At that moment, we both knew we were gay.
EDGE: Being Arab, what was the reaction from your parents?
Michael Zakar: Honestly, we really thought it was going to be worse than it actually was. Our mom left the house for a week and went straight to church. Our dad left too, but only because he didn't want to have to deal with our mom. We thought we would be kicked out, but they both left instead.
The Zakar Twins
EDGE: What is the craziest thing that you have been asked to do?
Michael Zakar: So many things. You wouldn't believe some of them or maybe you would. The most popular ones are to do porn together or a threesome. Which is a huge fantasy for many.
EDGE: Is there any line you will not cross for money?
Zach Zakar: We won't touch each other, but maybe if four million dollars was on the table, we may change our minds.
EDGE: Why write a book so early in your career?
Michael Zakar: The book started as a sticky note. When our mom found out we were gay, she threw holy water on us. Our mom was not disappointed, she was just confused. She is from a different time and really didn't understand us being gay. She is still learning and loving us. There are a few other crazy things that she tried that are in the book. One night, she snuck into our bedroom and force-fed us "holy grapes." We knew someone of the stuff she did was not normal, so the book really wrote itself. Our book is different because we wanted to give our coming out story to have a funny and positive light on it.
The Zakar Twins
EDGE: What do you want readers to take away from your book?
Zach Zakar: We take the coming out process very seriously and want the readers not be so serious. Our message is simple: It really does get easier. We are all people. We need to be able to love and accept each other for who we are.
EDGE: Is using social media a help in selling your brand?
Michael Zakar: It's been great! We have gotten so many great opportunities because of it and met so many great people. It really helps us connect with the LGBT community.
EDGE: Being twins, do you have the same size penis?
Zach Zakar: We do not have the same size penis. Michael's curves and mine is straighter.
Michael Zakar: Mine is bigger!!!
For more on the Zakar Twins, visit
Watch the Zakar Twins on "Tosh.0":
