GLBT and Muslim

[onceburned]

I would think it hard to be in our community and also be Muslim. Hmmm... I guess the same can be said for certain branches of Christianity as well. Both religions, or their believers, seem fairly intolerant of non-straight peoples.

Still, I got this notice of an upcoming conference and it really sounds interesting.
=======================================
Al-Fatiha Foundation proudly presents

The Fifth International Retreat for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,
Transgender, Intersex, Questioning Muslims & their Allies

Sexism, Misogyny and Gender Oppression:
Breaking Down the Systems of Patriarchy

Friday, September 2 - Monday, September 5, 2005
(US Labor Day Holiday Weekend / Atlanta Gay Black Pride Weekend)

Atlanta, Georgia USA


Organizers' Statement and Retreat Goals

We invite lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, gender variant, queer and questioning people who are Muslim religiously, spiritually or culturally, to this retreat. Allies, both Muslim and non-Muslim, queer and straight are also invited to attend.

We are from a range of birth places and homes, who share a myriad of national, cultural and racial backgrounds, who speak a multiplicity of languages, and who identify as Muslim, religiously or culturally, we come together to speak with one another, to engage each other, learn from one another. Within our communities, Muslim and non, queer and non, of color and non, we have struggled with the sexism, racism, classism and homophobia that has been embedded within patriarchal societies, both within the U.S. and in our respective homelands.

Within this space of retreat, we seek movement that enables us to begin and continue to connect, reconnect and forge ongoing connections that will sustain us through our struggles. We recognize our differences and we work together with these differences in our hearts in pursuit of solidarity.
====================================================

There is more details available, but I didn't want to bore everyone with it. If anyone lives in the Atlanta area it might be fun to stop by.

 

[Blow_this]

Sounds like fun

 

[DarkAurora]

It's hard to be queer in almost any religion. The only religion that I know of that openly supports the GLBT community is Wicca.

 

[Equinoxe]

It's hard to be queer in almost any religion. The only religion that I know of that openly supports the GLBT community is Wicca.

Any branch of the Neo-Pagan tree, as they say, generally supports the GLBT community, as I believe in general do the Asatruar. Native American religious groups, as with many aboriginal religious groups, are also often very accepting of GLBT issues, even sometimes exaulting gay individuals, the idea of berdache or "two-spirited" persons.

Certain segments of Christianity do, like the United Church of Christ -- which has even endorsed Same-Sex Marriage, in General Synod 25 this year. Reform Judaism is generally accepting, Conservative Judaism is generally moderately accepting, Orthodox Judaism is generally not accepting (although, technically lesbianism is not wrong in a Jewish context).

Zoroastrianism is very similar to Christianity or Judaism in that sense, the more "traditional" branch of the religion tends to be against it, as per parts in later Zoroastrian scriptures, but there is an interesting conflict involved in that, as parts of the more liberal and more accepting branch of the religion are actually, in a sense, more traditional than the traditionalists, in that they reject later scriptures and stick solely to the earliest, the Gathas of Zarathushtra, which don't address the topic of GLBT issues at all.

Some Buddhist sects support gay rights, like Zen, but others do not, although this is usually as something more broad condemnation of all acts which don't have the availability of procreation (thus oral and anal sex are wrong for straight people too), as per certain statements made by the Dalai Lama.

The Baha'i are likewise generally not accepting of homosexuality and bisexuality. Likewise, Scientology generally reflects the understanding of the era in which it was created and hence has tended to regard it as a mental disorder.

Transgendered and Intersexed individuals are in a somewhat different area though, in many religions, with the latter usually being more accepted (since there is the weight of biology on its side).

 

[DarkAurora]

On the topic of homosexuality in Bhuddism, this is a direct quote from the Dhali Llamma, "Homosexuality in itself is not a sin but anal sex and oral sex are."

 

[Equinoxe]

On the topic of homosexuality in Bhuddism, this is a direct quote from the Dhali Llamma, "Homosexuality in itself is not a sin but anal sex and oral sex are."

In Beyond Dogma, he says:
"... homosexuality, whether it is between men or between women, is not improper in itself. What is improper is the use of organs already defined as inappropriate for sexual contact."

These restrictions would only affect Buddhists, obviously, although he has apparently said that he is willing to consider that these teachings may not be entirely valid to modern society.

 

[kbate]

(cynical acidic voice)

Great, now we can be put on the terrorist watch list for associating with those evil Islam followers.

The whole thing must be a right wing plot to trick us. Atlanta indeed.

 

[Lady Amber]

On the topic of homosexuality in Bhuddism, this is a direct quote from the Dhali Llamma, "Homosexuality in itself is not a sin but anal sex and oral sex are."

damn, then we're all sinning when it comes to oral, gay, bi, and straight.

 

[Equinoxe]

damn, then we're all sinning when it comes to oral, gay, bi, and straight.

Only technically if one is a Buddhist (the moral system isn't exactly absolute) and even then only if one accepts that the Dalai Lama is correct. Theravada generally doesn't object, since those matters are personal and the Buddha said nothing, likewise Zen and certain Mahayana schools have no objection.

There are similar restrictions in Orthodox Judaism and, there have been (I'm not sure of the current opinion), within the Catholic Church (and I would guess also the Orthodox Churches); issues with "destruction of seed" (sh'chatat zerah in Hebrew). Although, that only applies to fellatio, and does not include cunnilingus, which is somewhat less general than the objection outlined by the Dalai Lama.

 

[chrk1]

i personally believe in the separation of church and glbt forum.

 

[onceburned]

Chrk1 probably won't be interested in this, but if there are discounts and scholarships available for those who don't live in Atlanta and would enjoy attending the al-Fatiha conference mentioned in the first post
==============================================

To all members, friends and allies - Our upcoming international retreat
promises to be AMAZING!

Please read the information below. Travel scholarships are available,
but the deadline to apply is August 1, 2005. There is VERY LIMITED
community housing with local Atlanta residents available. Deadline for
first-come first-serve community housing is August 15, 2005.
Registration deadline is also August 15, 2005.

We have an airline discount with US Airways. I would also suggest
looking into www.expedia.com, www.hotwire.com, www.travelocity.com and
www.priceline.com for cheap tickets. Also the following airlines have
their hub in Atlanta: Delta and Air Tran. Independence Air also flies
into Atlanta.

Inshallah we are expecting particpants from across the United States,
Canada and international participants from India, Pakistan, Nigeria,
Indonesia and South Africa.

Registration is as little as $125 including most meals, if you stay in
community housing. Registration, Meal and Hotel packages are also
available for as little as $225 if you stay with two other people in a
hotel room.

PLEASE register TODAY!! Apply for a scholarship! Women, young people
and transgender people will be given first priority in the awarding of
all scholarships.

If you cannot open the PDF files please email me privately and I'll
send you a Word file of the attachments.

Hope to see you in Atlanta - September 2 - 5, 2005 - Less than 45 days
away!!

Together in faith and solidarity,

Faisal Alam
Founder, Al-Fatiha Foundation
=============================================