<< The Islam and queerness programme will showcase a mixture of different experiences within the Muslim LGBTQ+ community, such as the trans Muslim community. ‘Within Islam, there’s a recognition of a third gender so countries like Pakistan or Iran actually provide some of the [highest rates of] gender reassignment surgeries in the world,’ explains the Hidaya spokesperson. ‘So that’s quite a big difference compared to the UK where you have to collect evidence and prove that you’re living in the gender you want to transition to which is hugely damaging to many people’s mental health. Countries like Pakistan, that I would consider to be a conservative Muslim country, recognises the trans community. Recently, the government allowed the trans community to sit in parliament and make decisions about its community which is amazing, but if you’re gay or a lesbian then you really have no rights at all.’
As well as screening films about being an LGBTQ+ Muslim in other countries, the strand will show UK-based films in the hope of educating the public. ‘A lot of the time, people think because we’re in the UK we have freedom of speech but the reality is different. Look at the last few months, at what happened in Birmingham with the protests when schools tried to include inclusive education, and even parents going as far as taking students out of school because they weren’t happy about same-sex relationships being taught in primary schools. Many of Hidaya’s members live in Birmingham in predominantly Muslim communities. We had someone getting in touch and saying they had just come out to their family and were going through a difficult time and then someone posted a leaflet about the protest through her family’s door which sparked a row and she was out on the street. So that’s how bad the situation is for LGBTQ+ Muslims and there aren’t any support mechanisms.’ But despite the difficulties many LGBTQ+ Muslims face, Hidaya is hopeful that things are changing, evident in the strand they’re programming with SQIFF. ‘People have been surprised that it hasn’t been too difficult for us to find LGBTQ+ Muslim filmmakers. A lot of the people who have made these films have escaped their home country or have made these films hidden because they’re not allowed to be shown. You have these amazing artists who have made an effort to have their voices heard. Unfortunately, a lot of them end up receiving death threats and have to leave their families and homes behind.
‘Our aim with this strand is to inform and educate all people, so not just Muslim people but also the LGBTQ+ people and all people in society regardless of religion. It’s a difficult process but it’s changing. Hidaya is turning up at Pride and doing events like this one with SQIFF and we’re having conversations with people. We’re feeling hopeful.’
SQIFF, various venues, Glasgow, Wed 2–Sun 6 Oct, sqiff.org
SQIFF
From top: Moroni for President; But I’m a Cheerleader; We Are Here; previous page, from top: Autism-friendly Opening Night Shorts; SQIFF Shorts: Queer Islam with Hidayah; Evil Come, Evil Go; You Gotta Have Faith 32 THE LIST 1 Sep–31 Oct 2019