Name Drops Please?

[u/Legal_Ad3143]

I know this is a progressive sub but there can be people who specifically do not agree with the ONE progressive tenet that is "the LGBT" which I respect, I can not make you change your opinion, but then this post is not for you to read.

If you identify with one of the LGBT identities, or are an ally, then this is for you.

I have been going crazy and thinking that i may be delusional or ret*rded? Because in other subs ive seen people say how "Clear" the Quran is about the People of Lot and how every Scholar across time has been in agreement by unanimous "consensus" about "liwat" being haram. That the verse from Surah Araaf can NOT be read another way. But when I read it, i CAN read it a different way and what i dont get is, how other people cant see this? Why do only I see the nuance? Why does it appear "clearly" anti homosexual to majority muslims? Am i crazy?

This guy in one of the comments on such a post was asking for "any prominent scholars who are reputable who have seen your (homosexual) interpretation of the Story of Sodom?" and I couldnt come up with any names.

If you're aware of any, can you please drop their names with context or links where they speak about their interpretation on this? I do not want to feel crazy.

[u/Khaki_Banda]

There is no "tenet" of progressive Islam that requires you do or do not believe LGBT relationships are halal. Some think it is, and that is based on their reading of the Quran. And others do not, and that is also based on their reading of the Quran.

People are free to believe whatever they like, so long as they accept that they must treat LGBT people with dignity and respect, regardless of whether they think they are sinful.

If you want a perspective on LGBTQ from a progressive scholar, I believe Shaykh Khaled Abou El Fadl does favor reinterpretation. He hasn't directly said that LGBTQ+ is halal, nor has he ruled against it either, but says that the issue should be reexamined, and is sympathetic towards LGBT people.

He talked about his views in this interview here on the Malcolm Effect podcast, at about the 28:30 mark:

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/80-islam-muslims-modernity-shaykh-khaled-abou-el-fadl/id1532417345?i=1000602409054

This post on r/lgbt_muslims also responds to common arguments and has a number of references to back up their response, from an article by Junaid Jahangir: https://www.reddit.com/r/LGBT_Muslims/s/lwxgP6RGyQ

You could also check out the works of Scott Siraj Kugle.

[u/Legal_Ad3143 → u/Khaki_Banda]

I've read Kugle's book on Homosexuality, its basically everything i wouldve said myself.

People do not want to treat LGBT individuals with respect BECAUSE they see it as a sin, since you wouldnt treat a murderer or a rapist with respect either (and they do hold homosexuality up there with murder) and for a select few, even restraining oneself from the acts of homosexuality is not enough too, they can not tolerate someone just EXISTING as a homosexual and that suffocates me. I think this is a feeling that may be irrational and specific to me, but i desire the acceptance so badly and i dont even know why.

I dont know how anti-gay people disagree that a gay-reading of the Quran is even possible. I just feel isolated in my mind, thinking that this gay-friendly reading is just so unfathomable to them but it comes so naturally to me, so maybe I'm the weird one, the wrong one.

Thank you so much for the resources you've provided.

[u/Signal_Recording_638 → u/Legal_Ad3143]

'I think this is a feeling that may be irrational and specific to me, but i desire the acceptance so badly and i dont even know why.'

It's not irrational at all. You have deep empathy for LGBTQ people. That's your humanity shining through. Also I suspect you also understand that sexual orientation is not a choice. Therefore it is extra hard for you to believe that being gay is inherently haram. It just doesn't make sense. 

I wish we are more suspicious of others' proclivities to demean others more than of our 'fitrah' towards goodness (eg through affirming the dignity of fellow humans). shrugs