Islam

Hundreds of religious leaders declare all LGBT+ people are ‘precious’ in call for global conversion therapy ban

Hundreds of religious leaders around the world have declared that LGBT+ people “are a precious part of creation” and called for a global ban on conversion therapy. The government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has funded a conference held Wednesday (16 December) to mark the launch of the Global Interfaith Commission on LGBT+ Lives.

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How globalisation has transformed the fight for LGBTQ+ rights

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Much progress has been made in attitudes towards sexual equality and gender identity – but in many places a dramatic backlash by conservative forces has followed.

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Netherlands: About 15 'gay healing therapists' are active in the Netherlands

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The Netherlands has about fifteen therapists and organizations that try to 'cure' homosexuals. How often this happens exactly cannot be said. These healers do not present themselves as such on the internet, for example.

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Malaysian Launches Test Case Against Gay Sex Law

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A Malaysian man has launched the country's first legal challenge against Islamic laws banning gay sex, a test case supporters said Wednesday could help combat growing persecution of the LGBT community.

He was charged last year for allegedly attempting to have "intercourse against the order of nature", and several others in the same case have already pleaded guilty and were caned as a punishment.

Critics say the climate is worsening for the gay community in Muslim-majority Malaysia, with several states enacting their own Islamic laws banning gay sex.

But campaigners believe victory in the challenge at Malaysia's top court could help halt the trend of local sharia authorities introducing harsh legislation targeting gay people. 

"The case could discourage state overreach in terms of law making," Thilaga Sulathireh, from campaign group LGBTIQ+ Network, told the media.

The immediate impact of a victory would likely be to halt ongoing cases under Islamic law only in Selangor state, where the plaintiff was charged, but campaigners may then bring cases against other states. 

The man, who has not been named, is challenging accusations levelled against him in an Islamic court at Malaysia's Federal Court on the grounds they breach the constitution, his lawyer Surendra Ananth told reporters. Read more via Asean Post

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Turkey: “Targeting and Investigating Organizations That Criticize Hate Speech Against LGBTI+ Must Come to an End”

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Solidarity Network for Human Rights Defenders – Turkey: We stand in solidarity with the LGBTI+ organizations and rights defenders that are threatened and face investigations.

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Turkey: What happened after the hateful khutbah of the Religious Affairs Administration of Turkey?

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KAOS: We have compiled the developments that took place after the hateful khutbah of Religious Affairs Administration and intensified attacks against the fundamental rights of LGBTI+'s.

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How Africa’s religious leaders are changing sexual health narrative

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Religious leaders have shunned sexual and reproductive health discussions at the pulpit for decades – a situation that is changing. This is as 45 per cent of health services in Sub-Saharan Africa are provided by faith-based organisations.