US Muslims are actually more accepting of homosexuality than white evangelical Christians
Muslims at Pride in London (Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images)
While much of the narrative around Islam and LGBT rights suggests a deep conflict, new research shows an increasing number of American Muslims are accepting of homosexuality.
Figures from the Pew Research Centre show that, in 2017, 52 per cent of US Muslims believe “homosexuality should be accepted by society”.
This is an increase from 29 per cent in 2011 and just 27 per cent in 2007.
Muslims in Indonesia raising concerns about conservatism (ADEK BERRY/AFP/Getty Images)
In fact, it seems as though US Muslims are actually more accepting of homosexuality than their white Evangelical Christian counterparts.
In 2016, only 34 per cent of white evangelical Christians believed that homosexuality should be accepted by society
This was an increase from 29 per cent in 2011 and 23 per cent in 2006.
The interplay between Islam, Muslims and LGBT issues has been especially contentious in recent years.
In the UK, ex-Muslim group CEMB caused controversy with its “Allah is gay” and “F**k Islamic Homophobia” signs at Pride in London.
It complained that critics were trying to silence the group.
It also drew parallels between the plight of gay people and those who want to become “ex-Muslim”.
It’s not all bad news when it comes to evangelical Christians and LGBT rights, though.
Research from earlier this year showed that support for equal marriage among evangelicals is slowly rising.
Despite the majority still opposing same-sex marriages, the acceptance rate has grown 21 percent in the last decade from a 14 percent acceptance rate up to 35 percent now.
The research found that the support for marriage equality across different religious groups varies, but all are slowly showing an increase.
