Islam, LGBTs and Migration Conference: We all have something to say

The annual CALEM Conference of 2012 will be held in Paris with the hosting of HM2F (Muslim LGBTs of France). The event is coinciding with the discussions on gay marriages and equal adoption rights for LGBTs in France. Under the governance of Socialist Party of Francois Hollande, gay marriages and equal adoption rights are waiting to pass the parliament voting, while the Holy Alliance of orthodox Muslim, Christian and Jewish groups are speaking up against these changes in society.

 

However the CFCM (The Council of Muslims in France) stood against the conservative and narrow views of this alliance and state by its President Mohammed Moussaoui that “The non-compliance of gay marriage with the principles of Islamic jurisprudence is unanimous within all Muslim schools of law. But given the principle of secularism, which takes into account the diversity and plurality of religions and beliefs in our society, we are aware that the rules and standards of any religion cannot be put forward or oppose the standards and regulations of the Republic which have to be applied to everyone". For this reason, France holds extra importance as the host country of the conference which is gathering LGBT activists, Muslims and and experts working on religions and beliefs.

 

The main topics that will be covered during the Conference are lesbians and tansgenders in Islam, gay marriages in Eastern European countries, Gay Prides and LGBT organizations in Western European countries, decriminalization of homosexuality in Arab countries and refugees in Europe.

 

The CALEM conference this year also devote two main workshops of the minorities within the minority: “HIV/AIDS and Transidentity” and “Refugees from the Arab-Muslim World in France”.

 

 

Nevin Öztop, who is participating in the event on behalf of Kaos GL, is speaking on November 17th in the panel “Lesbian and Transgender Muslims: Secularism as a double chance against double discrimination”. Öztop is taking the floor a second time on the same day to speak on the “Regional Network Against Homophobia’s Lesbians and Transgenders” and how religions play a role in Turkey and among the neighboring countries. 

 

In addition to Öztop, Biljana Stankovic from Novi Sad Lesbian Organization in Serbia, Marina Barreiro from Sarajevo Open Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kristi Pinderi from LGBT Pro Albania are also participating in the conference as members of the Regional Network Against Homophobia.

 

The Regional Network Against Homophobia, coordinated by Kaos GL since May 2011, is a horizontal network of LGBT organizations and individuals from the Middle East, the Balkans and Caucasia. The member countries follow as Croatia, Albania, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Greece, Bosnia Herzegovina, Tunisia, Algeria, Iraq, Palestine, Iran,  Lebanon, Israel, Armenia, Georgia and Turkey.