[August 13th, 2008]

More to the story than stereotypes

I’m not sure what’s sillier, the stereotype of the affluent, slave-to-fashion gay male, or that of the dour, puritanical, ascetic Muslim [“The Queer and the Qur’an,” WW, Aug. 6, 2008]. As a gay Muslim I know such people in either community, but only as mere threads in much more complex tapestries. I can’t speak for life in Portland, but were your reporter to come to San Francisco I could introduce him to Muslims, gay and straight, worshipful and humorous, accepting of social diversity. Also there are plenty of gays who would laugh at being on any “A-list” and certainly don’t look like they read fashion magazines, let alone make any attempt to look like the ads therein.

One perspective missing in this article is that of history. Forty years ago the same division might have been made between being Christian and Gay or devoutly Jewish and Gay. (Leviticus is much more clearly anti-gay than anything in the Qur’an!) While homophobia is a serious problem in the Islamic world, like so many problems in the Muslim community this is cultural or political, but has no real basis in the Qur’an. Like so many people this reporter confuses “The Religion” with an outspoken number of the religious. It used to be that “Christianity” condemned homosexuality, and many Christians still insist that it does, but as diversity of opinions among Christians and Jews has grown in the last 40 years the same seed of enlightenment is growing in the Muslim ummah. Gay and gay-friendly Muslim organizations are still few and very small, but growing. Books and movies addressing this intersection of sex and spirit are stimulating discussions and opening minds. From Indonesia to Indiana there are Muslims acknowledging queer folks as among God’s children. San Francisco has an open “inclusive and welcoming” mosque where GLBT folks are as welcome as anyone, and historical patterns of growing acceptance point to the inevitability of growing acceptance of GLBT people in Islamic communities.

And I think this offers much better stories than your clash of the stereotypes.

A list of GLBT Muslim resources is online at http://www.starjack.com/qmr.html

“Jack Fertig”
via wweek.com

Either you are, or you aren’t

There is simply no way someone can be a “devout Muslim” and be in a homosexual relationship. The Qur’an is very clear about sodomy, and hadith make clear that there is a minimum privacy required even between men (i.e., do not appear unclothed even among those of your gender). It is simply impossible to live a lifestyle that violates the very canon of the tradition.

That said, only Ali knows if he really is a Muslim. It disturbs me tremendously that somehow saying one’s prayers is the only litmus in this article of being a good Muslim. Following the Qur’an completely, and emulating the Prophet Muhammad is also crucial. If Ali were adhering to either even remotely, he would simply not be living with another man.

“A Muslim raised in Portland”
via wweek.com