Summary and Findings from the Meeting Session with Gay Muslims living in Bangkok
Written by Takato Mitsunaga
The biggest issue in knowing and understanding gay Muslim individuals in cultural contexts would be the lack of knowledge and intentions we have. Even worse, we, outsider of the community, tend to have many misunderstandings. A good example is that, as one of the key informants (Shareef/Sun) told, people in the south might not discriminate the gay or kathey people so much, rather people have started accepting these existence. It was observable from other informants as well. Mint (Transgender muslim) said that she has never had problems when she goes back and pray with other male Muslims, even though her appearance clearly shows that she is not naturally and biologically man.
However, at the same time, it can be said that this growing tolerance wouldn't be applied when it comes on the family affair. Another gay Muslim, Non, said that his father would not forgive him if his son is found out to be gay. In my assumption, this may be because of the Islamic teaching telling Muslims have to help each other to show and indicate the right path. In another word, people have the duty to help gay Muslims walk the right path, to be a straight guy.
The seocnd finding is that there are many gay Muslims enjoying their lives as gay. For the people from outside of the community, like us, it tends to be believed that gay Muslims lives are much tougher than the others just because the religion teaches so. However, it might not be true. A key informant, named Shareef, insisted that he really likes his life as a gay individual, even though he was born to be Muslim and knows he is under the examination (ทดสอบ) given by the God.
In conclusion, I would say that even though it is difficult for gay Muslims people to persue their sexual and gender identities under the strict religious teachings, their lives are healthier than what we have thought at the beginning. However, it is still early to say that this positive phenomenon is prevailing through the entire Muslim community. For example, gay Muslims in the deep south and big cities, such as Bangkok, might have different issues and views. Further research and meeting sessions will be required to fully understand the issue. To do so, knowing the true teaching of the Islamic religion should be very helpful. Offering a place where the religious leader and gay Muslims can talk would be the best plan to achieve the goal.
Summary and Findings from the Meeting Session with Gay Muslims living in BangkokWritten by Takato MitsunagaThe biggest issue in knowing and understanding gay Muslim individuals in cultural contexts would be the lack of knowledge and intentions we have. Even worse, we, outsider of the community, tend to have many misunderstandings. A good example is that, as one of the key informants (Shareef/Sun) told, people in the south might not discriminate the gay or kathey people so much, rather people have started accepting these existence. It was observable from other informants as well. Mint (Transgender muslim) said that she has never had problems when she goes back and pray with other male Muslims, even though her appearance clearly shows that she is not naturally and biologically man. However, at the same time, it can be said that this growing tolerance wouldn't be applied when it comes on the family affair. Another gay Muslim, Non, said that his father would not forgive him if his son is found out to be gay. In my assumption, this may be because of the Islamic teaching telling Muslims have to help each other to show and indicate the right path. In another word, people have the duty to help gay Muslims walk the right path, to be a straight guy.The seocnd finding is that there are many gay Muslims enjoying their lives as gay. For the people from outside of the community, like us, it tends to be believed that gay Muslims lives are much tougher than the others just because the religion teaches so. However, it might not be true. A key informant, named Shareef, insisted that he really likes his life as a gay individual, even though he was born to be Muslim and knows he is under the examination (ทดสอบ) given by the God. In conclusion, I would say that even though it is difficult for gay Muslims people to persue their sexual and gender identities under the strict religious teachings, their lives are healthier than what we have thought at the beginning. However, it is still early to say that this positive phenomenon is prevailing through the entire Muslim community. For example, gay Muslims in the deep south and big cities, such as Bangkok, might have different issues and views. Further research and meeting sessions will be required to fully understand the issue. To do so, knowing the true teaching of the Islamic religion should be very helpful. Offering a place where the religious leader and gay Muslims can talk would be the best plan to achieve the goal.
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