In light of the recent shooting in Orlando, multiple prominent Muslim leaders have issued statements that have been dismissive of the issue of systemic homophobia within Muslim communities. While Omar Mateen’s extreme violence may not have been routine, all too many share his attitude towards LGBTQ individuals, in fact, religious scripture has been used to justify hate against diverse sexual orientations and gender identities throughout history.
Currently, 10 Muslims countries have the death penalty for homosexuality. Many others have laws on the books criminalizing homosexuality with punishments ranging from fines to imprisonment. At the United Nations, members of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) have taken a stand against LGBTQ rights.
This is unacceptable. Muslims and non-Muslims alike must unequivocally stand up for the human rights of people of various sexual orientations and genders.
We demand that Muslim organizations and communities support the United Nations in its efforts to:
1. Protect individuals from homophobic and transphobic violence
2. Prevent torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment of LGBT persons
3. Decriminalize homosexuality
4. Prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity
5. Respect freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly
We also urge national conferences by Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA), Reviving the Islamic Spirit (RIS), Muslim Students Association (MSA) and others to invite LGBTQ leaders, including those running inclusive mosques, to educate the broader community about the issues members of gender and sexual minorities face and to promote acceptance of LGBTQ identities.
We also ask the above organizations and various Islamic institutes such as Zaytuna College, Al-Maghrib Institute and others to put together a coordinated effort to create educational programs to promote acceptance of LGBTQ members within Muslim communities.
Personal faith is too often used as an excuse to promote bigotry against minority orientations; this can no longer be tolerated. We demand that the organizations listed above clearly repudiate homophobic attitudes and make a public commitment to work towards equality for LGBTQ individuals around the globe.
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Sign this petition and join us by contacting the organizations listed and demanding they take immediate and tangible action to stem the tide of homophobic bigotry that has been allowed to fester for far too long.
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Remember to spread the word among your own social networks!
