On Being Muslim and Gay

This month, a province in Indonesia passed a law that will sentence gay people to 100 lashes with a cane for the crime of homosexuality. It's a particularly barbaric law, one that cries out for the 15th century, and shows the real danger of fundamentalist religion playing such a huge part in the implementation of government. And not only do gay people have it bad, but so do adulterers; they now face death by stoning.

In the wake of such violent laws, it's heartening to see this piece in the Jakarta Post that looks at the issue of being Muslim, and being gay. Indonesia is a country that's 90 percent Muslim, and for the most part more conservative on issues pertaining to sexual rights. How do queer Muslims live in the face of that political and religious environment?

It's a mixed reaction. But easily the two most appealing stories come from a lesbian named Adhe and a gay man named Dody (pseudonym). Adhe reflects on her being able to merge her faith and her sexual orientation in a way that contributes to a healthy spiritual life.

"I was raised with religious values and continue to adhere to them now. It’s my way of being grateful to God," Adhe says. "It is my personal relationship with God, regardless what people say. I never asked to be born, let alone be a lesbian. I don’t see myself as committing a sin regarding my sexual preference. Even if I am, let God be the judge of that."

Dody, meanwhile, says that there's room for LGBT people under the big tent of Islam. He cautioned against reading religious doctrine too literally.

"I believe that religious teaching should be seen in context. I don’t think that homosexuality is a sin," Dody says. "I think God created gay people with a purpose — it’s not a disease or a sin. Like everything in nature, there is always an anomaly."

The article is a fascinating read, and other voices are featured that show real conflict between one's sexual orientation and one's religious identity. Some have renounced Islam because they don't feel that they can live a healthy life as openly gay and a practicing Muslim, while others remain closeted and hope that God won't seek vengeance on them in the next life. Ah, the tragic things that religion can sometimes put in our heads.

Well worth the read. Here in the states, it's somewhat interesting to note that one of Congress's openly Muslim members, Rep. Keith Ellison, is a co-sponsor the Respect for Marriage Act, the Congressional bill that would eliminate the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and get the federal government out of banning same-sex marriage. Looks like at least for Rep. Ellison, the issue of LGBT rights (and particularly marriage equality) is not incompatible with the Muslim faith.

(Photo courtesy of liamsismile's photostream on Flickr. Used under a Creative Commons license.)