Religion

This academic article investigates the discourses of academic African Christian theologians on homosexuality. Distinguishing some major strands in African theology, that is, inculturation, liberation, women’s and reconstruction theology, the article examines how the central concepts of culture, liberation, justice, and human rights function in these discourses. On the basis of a qualitative analysis of a large number of publications, the article shows that stances of African theologians are varying from silence and rejection to acceptance.

Although many African theologians have taken up the cudgels against gay rights, some “dissident voices” break the taboo and develop more inclusive concepts of African identity and African Christianity.

Subtitled "How the U.S. Christian Right is Transforming Sexual Politics in Africa" and based on months of research on the ground in sub-Saharan Africa by Political Research Associates, this report documents how the U.S. Christian Right is expanding its assaults on LGBT and reproductive rights.

The 68-page report from 2012 serves as a clarion call to the human rights and social justice communities to counteract right-wing neocolonialism by increasing both the scale and sophistication of support for human rights promoters in Africa.

2009, 16 pages

A paper by Prof. Dr. Siti Musdah Mulia, the Chairperson of Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace. The paper discusses the view of Islam on the issues of sexuality, concluding that the biggest obstruction for LGBT people is the religious interpretation taking place. The paper proposes a new methodology in reinterpretation in order to promote Islamic humanism.

2010, 21 pages

Imam Muhsin Hendricks addresses the issue of homosexuality in Islam from the theological point of view. The article attempts to reveal that Islam, at its very core, does not condemn non-heterosexual sexual intimacy. Instead, it is embraced as part of a divine plan. Islam, in its true meaning of peace and justice, accommodates the individual’s sexual orientation as an intrinsic part of their biological and psychological makeup.

2013, 20 pages

Paper published by Apcom, the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health.

This discussion paper examines why Islam matters in preventing HIV, what
Islam and Muslim scholars say about MSM and transgender people, as well as
how this impacts on the lives of MSM and transgender people and their access
to health services. Muslim MSM were interviewed to provide some anecdotes
for the discussion paper, and desk-based research was undertaken. It provides
a number of recommendations aimed at human rights organisations, human
rights defenders, gender activists, policy makers, Islamic scholars and Islamic
organisations.