For Muslims in public school, navigating Halloween and the holiday season from November until April can be difficult. That challenge has only increased with the focus on June’s Pride Month.
You may think comparing Halloween to Pride Month seems like a stretch. However, consider that, like Halloween, Pride Month is a stark reminder we are living as minorities in a society becoming increasingly permissive, one in which promiscuity is celebrated as sexual liberation while religious piety is regarded as archaic. Just as Halloween invites educators to decorate, celebrate, and incorporate the holiday into the classroom during October, Pride Month means LGBTQ+ paraphernalia, literature, and lessons are being introduced into our children’s learning environment. Often, parents are unaware of what is being presented to children in school. As Muslims, however, we must be proactive in standing up for our rights to uphold our religious beliefs and to educate our children with the values we hold sacred.
History of Pride
Pride Month first gained federal recognition as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in 1999. In 2009, former Pres. Barack Obama declared June LGBT Pride Month, and later former Pres. Joe Biden declared June LGBTQ Pride Month1. In 2023, he issued a proclamation stating Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Pride Month “honor(s) a movement that has grown stronger, more vibrant, and more inclusive with every passing year. Pride is a celebration of generations of LGBTQI+ people, who have fought bravely to live openly and authentically. And it is a reminder that we still have generational work to do to ensure that everyone enjoys the full promise of equity, dignity, protection, and freedom.”
Since 2000, Pride has made considerable strides, both politically and culturally. What began as a call to rightfully end unlawful violence against gay and lesbian individuals in the late 60’s and 70’s evolved into rallies for the legalization of same-sex marriage, which occurred per a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling,2 and for LGBT-inclusive sex education in public schools.
Historically, the “LGB” movement was concerned with rights of gay, lesbian, or bisexual folks; however, “T” and “Q” were added later to include transexuals, queer people or “questioning” individuals “to acknowledge those exploring their gender or sexual identity3. The acronym has evolved even more to encompass a broader range of identifiers. For example, a plus sign may be included to recognize other gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as “I” and “A” to include “intersex” and “asexual.” Undoubtedly, the movement, its acronym, and flags representing the people who identify as such will continue to change. It has already grown increasingly politicized to the point that anyone who opposes same-sex marriage, LGBT sex education, or gender fluidity is labeled a right-wing extremist. Those who support it are grouped together under leftist liberal ideology that also advocates for egalitarianism and open-border policies.
Pride’s Impact on Public Schools
As Pride gained momentum, public education systems began to provide curricula for every grade level describing the lifestyles and sexuality of LGBT people. Resultingly, expressing gender fluidity and “questioning” sexuality has become an acceptable norm for children, no matter their religious beliefs. Some school boards, such as in Montgomery County, Maryland, have even eliminated the option for parents to opt out of LGBT-centered instruction. This is where we Muslims must draw the line.
Although it may seem like we are swimming upstream with the amount of LGBT propaganda circulating in the media, entertainment, and social media, remember we have the same right to freedom of expression as any other citizen. Additionally, we are not the only faith community that rejects some of the proposed reforms surrounding the issue of LGBT individuals; just as we are not the only religious group that frowns upon the concepts of Halloween and trick-or-treating. Nevertheless, being religious outcasts or minorities in society is not something unforeseen or new to Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Islam began as something strange, and it will return to being strange, so blessed are the strangers.” (Sahih Muslim)
How to Address Pride in Our Homes
Below are five steps Muslim parents can take to tackle the Pride issue head-on, including:
- Informing your children about the LGBT community It exists and is increasingly influential in American politics, media, and education, including in children’s books, movies, television shows, and social media channels. Parents can choose what age is most appropriate to inform their children about the existence of LGBT people, but they must keep in mind they will eventually be exposed to this information, some as early as preschool or kindergarten.
- Being involvedTo counter worrisome policies surrounding LGBT sex education or Pride celebrations in public school classrooms, parents must be involved in their children’s schools. They also must communicate their expectations and limitations to their child or children’s teachers and express their desire to opt their children out of lessons or activities they are uncomfortable with.
- Staying vigilant about the media Many parents innocently allow their children to watch movies and shows, or browse through YouTube on mobile devices, indiscriminately. However, they should be aware that more and more media features gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or gender fluid characters. Even cartoon shows with a preschool-age target audience will casually present LGBT characters and normalize sexual behaviors and social norms considered unacceptable in Islam. Ideally, parents should pre-screen shows or watch them with their children to address any of these issues. If this is a burden, parents should at least consult conservative review sites like Common Sense Media about particular movies or shows. Parents must talk to their children and help them recognize those attitudes and behaviors that are contradictory to Islam and explain why.
- Turning to the Quran and SunnahWhen speaking to our families about the LGBT community and sexual behavior, refer to our source of divine guidance, the Quran, and our manual on how to implement its teachings, the Sunnah. Understanding the story of Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) is a first step, so look for children’s books about the prophets and what the Quran says about his mission.
- Remaining firm about why we do not participate in or celebrate Pride Month
Recognize that the spectacle of Pride Month may appeal to children, especially younger ones who only see the surface-level colorful rainbows and innocent “Love is Love” slogans. They may associate it with seemingly fun holidays like Halloween, where teachers and students play dress-up and eat candy. Even older children and teenagers may empathize with the LGBT cause because of their peers or be coerced into participating in Pride celebrations because of social pressure. Gently remind them to stay true to their Muslim identity, be firm under pressure, and inform you of anything that violates their right to personal and religious objection. Be sure to emphasize compassion for fellow human beings while instilling a sense of pride in our beliefs. Our objections should never amount to harassment or violence against innocent individuals.
This year, June began during the blessed first 10 days of Dhul-Hijjah, a sacred time in the Islamic calendar when millions of Muslims make the pilgrimage to Makkah and believers worldwide are encouraged to increase their worship, charity, and good deeds. While much of society turned its attention to Pride Month, Muslims are reminded to anchor their focus on pleasing Allah (SWT). As we navigate challenges that come with living our faith openly, we must remember that true pride lies in our identity as Muslims, a pride rooted in submission to Allah (SWT), not the shifting values of society. Will Pride become Muslims’ new Halloween? It does not have to be. If anything, it should open the door for more honest and respectful dialogue about complex topics within our communities.
- https://www.jba.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2669499/the-history-of-pride-month/#:~:text=The%20federal%20government%20first%20recognized,declared%20June%20LGBTQ%20Pride%20Month.
- https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/stonewall-milestones-american-gay-rights-movement/
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/from-lgbt-to-lgbtqia-the-evolving-recognition-of-identity?loggedin=true&rnd=1687299712456
