#mpvusa

[reina-morada]

I really resonated with your recent post about how you came to Islam and I realized I had almost the exact same scenario. But I never fully committed due to Islam’s stance on the LGBT+ community, where being gay is fine but you must live celibately or force yourself into a straight marriage. How do you justify, that might be the wrong word but it’s the gist, supporting the community or if you are part of the community yourself? I ask as a curious gay man who loves the faith and ideas of Islam but is scared of the shame and humiliation I left the Catholic Church for to follow me into this new faith where I would face the same issues.

Salaam,

So, this is obviously something that has many many layers to it. People are different. Based upon culture, geographical location, tradition, language, religion and more mixed together- an individuals opinion of the LGBTQ community is different regardless of their religious context. There is no singular governing body of Islam, which has over a billion practitioners. The diversity cannot be understated. Muslims come in all shapes and forms, exactly as Christians do. While some Christians find "evidence" in the Bible to justify their homophobia, plenty of Christians find "evidence" in the Bible to love unconditionally and support their LGBTQ neighbors, children, and communities.

The same will be found in Islam, people who support based upon their upbringing/culture/location, and others who won't. Many Muslim countries have anti-LGBTQ laws or regulations, and the LGBTQ population is greatly persecuted in those places. There is significant fear from LGBTQ Muslims, even in the West, to engage in dialogue openly about their identities. While it may seem like being Muslim and queer are impossible to reconcile, they aren't at all mutually exclusive.

Unfortunately, there will always be people who have issue with the LGBTQ community. They can be Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, atheists, agnostics, and so on. Ultimately, it's ones individual experiences (both of culture and religion) that determine their stances.

All that to say, I personally have no trouble reconciling them religiously. It is clear to me that Allah loves us, and asks us to love one another. I pay no attention to online discourse and I feel no need to justify my identity to anyone. My relationship is with Allah, and while I have obligations to my siblings in humanity, I won't engage in meaningless debate about my right to worship the one who created me. No one will stop me from praying salah, I'll never listen to anyone who tells me to take off hijab. It's my life, my relationship with Allah.

I have no doubt in my mind that his mercy encompasses all things without limit, and that this is also not one of those things we need his mercy for in the first place. Out of all of the Muslim friends I had in college, all save one knew I was bisexual, and no one took issue with it. At the time I was even in a relationship with a woman, whom they met and welcomed. I will also say that my environment matters a lot, as my city is significantly more liberal than most. I also think generation matters. Younger Muslims seem to care less than older ones, and that isn't surprising considering that seems to be the case in most religious traditions.

If your spirit is filled when you study and embrace Islam, listen to the call. Allah sees your efforts, even those others don't see. Also, the Prophet (saw) reportedly had non-binary members of his household called mukhannathun. While today many Muslim cultures would condemn them, there was no evidence the Prophet did anything but accept them openly. There is LGBTQ history within Islam and plenty of resources for modern LGTBQ Muslims. Here's some.

Booklet

Stances of Faiths on LGBTQ Issues: Islam - Sunni and Shi'a

MASGD

MPVUSA

PDF Resource with additional resources

May this help you, anon

[wildliferehabstudent]

Happy National Coming Out Day!

To all of my lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, asexual, aromantic, nonbinary, genderfluid, pansexual, polyamorous, two-spirit, intersex, queer, and questioning followers, you are loved, valued, and supported.  If I didn’t include your orientation, educate me!  I love, value, and support you too.

If you are out, congratulations!  That is a cause for celebration!

If you are still in the closet, I see you and I love you.  I understand.  Do what you need to do for your safety and comfort, and don’t ever let anyone pressure you into stepping outside that comfort zone.  Do what is safe for you.   You are no less a part of the community for choosing to stay in the closet.

You are seen, loved, known, and valued.  You are valid.  You deserve kindness and love.  If you need someone to talk to, my inbox is open.  

I know this cam be a stressful time for many of you.  There are so many resources out there.  For Americans, I will list some resources below the cut.  To non-americans, I will do research and either post or repost a list of resources for you later today.

USA

-Trevor Project, the nation’s only 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ people 13-24: 1-866-488-7386, calling 24/7, online chat available 2pm-9pm ET daily, text start to 678678 Monday-Friday

-Trans Lifeline- run by and for trans people, 9am-3am CST: 877-565-8860

-The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255

-Crisis Textline- text HOME to 741741, available 24/7

-The GLBT National Help Center, callers of all ages, M-F 3pm-11pm, Saturday 11am-4pm- 1-888-843-4564

Religious (I don’t think most other major religious challenge homosexuality but if you want me to include another, I will, just let me know

-Christian

qchristian.org; queer theology.com; gaychurch.org; believeoutloud,com

-Jewish

jewcy.com; a widerbridge.org; keshetonline.org; jqyouth.org

-Muslim

queermuslimsupport.com; mpvusa,org; muslimalliance.org; imaanlondon.WordPress.com

[gogaydc-blog]

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[jenniferlynbrowne]

My favorite sign of the day. It made me giggle out loud. #mpvusa #muslimpride #lapride2018 #pride #ilikelosangeles (at West Hollywood, California)

[muslimsforprogressivevalues-blog]

Join MPV at the Dolores Mission Church on Sunday November 20th at 3 pm as we unite with 28 community organizations to stand in solidarity and proclaim #iamamerica ! #mpvusa #bettertogether #loveoverfear #loveoverhate #canyouhearus (at Dolores Mission Church / Iglesia Misión Dolores)

[muslimsforprogressivevalues-blog]

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#4pluralism #spotlight2016 #newground #mpvusa #bettertogether #loveoverfear #loveoverhate #canyouhearus (at Pico Union Project)

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NewGround leaders introducing event #newground #spotlight2016 #transformations #bettertogether #breaknewground #4pluralism #mpvusa #loveoverhate #loveoverfear #canyouhearus (at Pico Union Project)

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[muslimsforprogressivevalues-blog]

#askamuslim #whatistrueislam #mpvusa #loveoverfear #loveoverhate #celebrationoflife #freedomofconscience #canyouhearus (at Founders Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles)

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#askamuslim #whatistrueislam #mpvusa #canyouhearus #loveoverfear #loveoverhate #celebrationoflife #freedomofconscience (at Founders Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles)

[muslimsforprogressivevalues-blog]

Annenberg Media interviewing MPV members #mpvusa #electionnight #election2016 #loveoverfear #loveoverhate #canyouhearus (at City Club LA)