One of the subjects of Channel 4's groundbreaking documentary, Muslim Drag Queens, has tweeted that he and his family are 'happy and safe' after being on the receiving end of thousands of hateful tweets.
Asifa Lahore came under fire when Twitter trolls came out in full force on Monday night when the programme was aired.
The #MuslimDragQueens hashtag experienced an onslaught of homophobic remarks about the show, some of which can be seen in the following tweet:
Lahore sent out messages of positivity and support, insisting that he was safe.
While homophobia was rife on Twitter, there was also a huge outpouring of acceptance on the #MuslimDragQueens hashtag...
Prior to the documentary airing, Lahore expressed fears about the potential backlash, especially after receiving death threats last year.
Speaking to HuffPost UK Entertainment, he said: "There are certain things that have been put in place for my safety." Before adding that the police are always very "supportive".
A spokesperson for Channel 4 told HuffPost UK Lifestyle that: "the contributors agreed to take part after extensive discussions about what appearing in the programme would involve and how much this would likely elevate their profiles.
"They wanted to speak out in this documentary to challenge the negative views and preconceptions held by many in their own wider communities and they courageously agreed to do this despite knowing it would likely provoke further unpleasant criticism.
"They have all viewed the final film and fully support its broadcast.
"The filmmakers took great care not to identify the home addresses of the contributors in the film. They remain in constant contact with the contributors and their support networks.
"Asif has contacted the police officers who dealt with the death threat he received previously (featured in the documentary) to make them aware of the upcoming broadcast, and is following their protocols."
Muslim Drag Queens
Muslim Drag Queens: Imran(01 of07)
Open Image Modal (credit:Channel 4)
Muslim Drag Queens: Imran(02 of07)
Open Image Modal28-year-old British Pakistani Imran has been using drag for six years, creating a female alter ego Zareena Khan. Single and searching for love, he has profiles on a number of dating apps and social media sites, but has discovered he attracts more interest as Zareena. Men in both Britain and Pakistan respond to his online profiles – often married men who he believes find it more acceptable to sleep with him because he dresses as a woman. (credit:Channel 4)
Muslim Drag Queens: Ibrahim(03 of07)
Open Image Modal (credit:Channel 4)
Muslim Drag Queens: Ibrahim(04 of07)
Open Image ModalIbrahim, a 22 year-old Mauritian, is studying for a degree in the UK. He recently came out to his family who surprised him with their unconditional support. Since arriving in the UK he has immersed himself in the Gaysian scene and wants to start performing drag. Having discovered Asifa Lahore online he seeks out Asif for advice and support. Despite his passion to perform, Ibrahim sometimes struggles to reconcile drag with his devout religion. (credit:Channel 4)
Muslim Drag Queens: Asif (05 of07)
Open Image Modal (credit:Channel 4)
Muslim Drag Queens: Asif (06 of07)
Open Image Modal32-year-old Asif Quraishi is Britain’s first out and proud Muslim drag queen. Performing as his glamourous alter ego Asifa Lahore he has established himself as a leading figure within the Gaysian community, and as an activist for gay rights. Born to conservative British Pakistani parents, his choice to perform and out himself so publically has strained relations within his own family and triggered death threats against both himself and his parents. Unbowed, he uses his very visibility to campaign and challenge perceptions: “Up until now, people in my community have chosen to be invisible,” he explains. The epitome of glamour, Asifa appears on stage in sequins, ruffles, saris and cocktail dresses and in a calculated move to provoke reaction and debate – a burqa. (credit:Channel 4)
Muslim Drag Queens: Imran, Ibrahim and Asif(07 of07)
Open Image Modal (credit:Channel 4)