Gay Muslims, living in countries where homosexuality is often a crime punishable by death, are taking to the internet for refuge, according to a report in Wired News.

The article states that gay men and women are joining each other in a virtual way on sites created by gay Muslims who are in constant fear of being discovered.

"The Internet really helped me come out - at least to myself," said Niloufar, creator of Knanaye Doost, an online community for Iranian lesbians. "Almost by accident, I found all these gay sites. I realised there is this whole family out there."

The web offers a safe source of information in traditional Islamic cultures where being gay can be downright dangerous.

"Almost every Muslim country has laws on the books against homosexuality," said Faisal Alam, president of Al-Fatiha, a Washington-based online community for gay Muslims. "In many places, the punishment may include jail time, fines, or lashing."

In Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Libya, and Sudan, homosexuality is punishable by death. Alam says at least 4,000 gays have been executed in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. "And those numbers are conservative," he said.

Even without criminal prosecution, the social costs of open homosexuality are severe.

"There is severe ostracism. Once people have been discovered, they just want to flee," Alam said. "It`s crazy the number of asylum requests we get from people who are desperate to get out."

Now the internet allows them to find much-needed support and advice in chat rooms and on message boards, all while maintaining their anonymity.