‘You Can’t Be Gay and Do Religion’: Understanding Muslim LGBTIQ+ Experiences of Accessing Support Services

ABSTRACT

In 2017, we conducted a research project in Victoria, Australia, aimed at improving understanding of the unique service needs and delivery requirements for vulnerable members of the Muslim LGBTIQ+ community in Victoria. The study involved semi-structured interviews with 12 members of the LGBTIQ+ Muslim community discussing their experiences with 3 identified areas of service provision: Muslim services, LGBTIQ+ services, and mainstream services. The findings demonstrate how participants’ sexualities, gender identities and religious beliefs affect their healthcare access and use, the meanings they derive from such experiences, and the accountability and culpability of systemic and structural inequities. The paper concludes with a summary of recommendations for future research, resourcing and realisation.

KEYWORDS:

• Healthcare access
• intersectionality
• Islam
• Islamophobia
• LGBTIQ+ Muslim
• migrant health
• Muslim health
• refugee health

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Multicultural Affairs and Social Cohesion Division of Victorian State Government: [grant number OPP-45794].

Notes on contributors

Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli

Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli is an Honorary Fellow in the School of Communication and Creative Arts, Deakin University, and founding committee member of the Australian GLBTIQ+ Multicultural Council (AGMC).

Reem Sweid

Dr Reem Sweid has a PhD in Social Policy and Political Theory at Deakin University, and is the founder of Muslim Collective - a grassroots faith-based organisation that promotes human rights and dignity for all.

Budi Sudarto

Budi Sudarto is a former AGMC Vice President, the director of Ananda Consultancy, and trainer in intersectionality and inclusion.