MPV endorses the human and civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and queer (LGBTIQ) individuals. We affirm our commitment to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity and we support full equality and inclusion of all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, in society and in the Muslim community.
Muslims for Progressive Values partnered with Islamic Scholar and Imam Ludovic Zahed to produce and host a workshop tour entitled "Inclusive Islam: Is LGBTQI Halal?" in June, 2018. The workshop series featured groundbreaking lectures that explored the ways in which the sacred texts of Islam affirm and justify human rights. In it, Imam Ludovic shows the way to an understanding of Islam that affirms all people, challenges the dominant homophobic narrative; and, crucially, is historically, theologically, and spiritually authentic.
On behalf of Muslims for Progressive Values, Tynan Power produced an adaptation of "Sexual Diversity in Islam: Is there room in Islam for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Muslims?" This Literary Zikr Project was produced in 2010, and is adapted from the chapter “Sexuality, Diversity, and Ethics in the Agenda of Progressive Muslims” by Dr. Scott Siraj al-Haqq Kugle in Progressive Muslims (ed. Omid Safi). Dr. Kugle shows that Islam supports many kinds of diversity—and that sexual and gender diversity in particular were acknowledged in the Qur’an and by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He shows that common punishments for homosexuality in Islamic countries have no basis in the Qur’an or sunnah (the record of the exemplary life of the Prophet Muhammad). Dr. Kugle’s work shows that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Muslims do indeed deserve a place in Islam. The project was generously funded by Human Rights Campaign.
In partnership with Imam Daayiee Abdullah, Muslims for Progressive Values presents a lecture series that seeks to dismantle the religious justification for homophobia in Muslim communities with medical, social and religious history. We have also included self-empowerment and mental health tips for LGBTQI Muslims.
For the first time in history an openly queer Imam, Imam Muhsin Hendricks, delivered a short lecture entitled "Homosexuality, Islam, and the Rights of LGBTQ People", in the Urdu language. The sermon, which specifically covers the story of Lut, which is often used to justify violent homophobia in Muslim societies, was also recorded in English for those outside of Pakistan and India to view and enjoy. To view the Urdu version of the sermon, please visit MPV Urdu’s page.
Arabs for Tolerance
AT Center LA (Los Angeles)
Bedayaa (Egypt & Sudan)
CALEM (Europe)
Cost of Gender Transition Guide - Fiscal Tiger
Financial Aid Resources for LGBTQ Students (Affordablecolleges.com)
Hidayah (UK)
Imaan (UK)
LGBT Muslim Retreat – Updates Yearly
Muslim Space (Austin, TX - prayer space and community)
Safra Project (UK) - Archive Only
Salaam Canada – Queer Muslim Community
Seattle LGBTQI Muslims (Washington State)
Secret Garden (Netherlands)
The Health Initiative (Georgia, USA resource for LGBTQI Health)
Islamic Healing Space of A2 & Ypsi (Michigan, USA, Muslim LGBT+ Safe Space)
The Inner Circle (South Africa)
The Queer Muslim Project (India)
UK Black Pride – Updates Yearly
Unitarian Universalist Association (International)
Note: These are external organizations not affiliated with MPV.
4 tips for talking with your Muslim child about LGBTQIA+ rights - Muslims for Progressive Values
College Guide for LGBTQ Students - Maryville University
Homosexuality in Islam - Scott Siraj Al-Haqq Kugle (Don’t forget! Choose Muslims for Progressive Values when you purchase the book on https://smile.amazon.com/ and Amazon will contribute a percentage to us!)
"Coming Home to Islam and to Self" - Human Rights Campaign
Islamic Texts: A Source for Acceptance of Queer Individuals into Mainstream Muslim Society - Muhsin Hendricks
A Jihad for Love - Parvez Sharma
Quranic Values as an Inspiration for Gay Marriage - Pamela K. Taylor
Homosexuality in the Quran - Farouk A. Peru
Queer Muslim Project - Samra Habib
National Faith Leaders' Statements on anti-LGBTQ Bills - Religious Institute
I’m Muslim and I Might Not Be Straight - Muslim Youth Leadership Council
How to be Culturally Competent When Supporting LGBTQ Muslims - Rahim Thawer
Sexuality and the Imprint of Shame: What Queer Guys (and Their Therapists) Need to Know | Part I Understanding Shame - Rahim Thawer
Sexuality and the Imprint of Shame: What Queer Guys (and Their Therapists) Need to Know | Part II Defenses Against Shame - Rahim Thawer
Sexuality and the Imprint of Shame: What Queer Guys (and Their Therapists) Need to Know | Part III Processing Shame - Rahim Thawer
44 Self-Esteem Resources for Nonbinary Adolescents and Teens from Online Counseling Programs
Crescent Moon: Supporting Family Members of LGBTQ+ Muslims - Rahim Thawer
Celebrating LGBTQ+ Relationships: Coming Out to Intolerant Family Members - Counseling Schools
What does it mean to be Non-Binary? - Innerbody
To suggest additions/corrections, please Contact Us.
The Sexual Diversity Series is a series of infographics based on our Sexual Diversity Page, adapted from the chapter “Sexuality, Diversity, and Ethics in the Agenda of Progressive Muslims” by Dr. Scott Siraj al-Haqq Kugle in Progressive Muslims (ed. Omid Safi). The goal of this series is to show that Islam supports many kinds of diversity—and that sexual and gender diversity in particular were acknowledged in the Qur’an and by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
