Amidst another Islamic terrorrist attack in Germany, a liberal left-wing socialist regime many questions arise once again. The question of LGBTQ and women rights is predominantly one of them. However, the question is whether Islam, Communism, and Marxism can even barely coexist or ever coexisted historically with LGBTQ and women rights. Striking a balance between deeply ingrained religious or political beliefs and deep-seated indoctrination always leads to a critical society. Under such circumstances, the quest for inclusivity and fundamental rights for women and sexual minorities always has been a challenging endeavor. Can these rights truly coexist within these frameworks?
In this exploration, we scrutinize the key examples of struggles and tensions hindering the harmonious coexistence of these ideologies on a global scale. This article explores the intricate issue of the treatment of women and LGBTQ individuals in Islamic, Communist, and Marxist regimes through case studies, historical data, and cultural references.
Theocratic Resistance in Islamic Societies
Many Islamic societies base their legal and social structures on traditional interpretations of religious texts. These religious textures are often quite detrimental to LGBTQ and women rights. Sharia law, a fundamental aspect of governance in many Islamic nations, frequently enforces rigid gender roles and condemns homosexuality. The punishment for infidelity is death by stoning of the women. Such rulings perpetuate societal prejudice, creating a hostile environment for women that includes rigid dress code, movement restrictions, marriage of girl child, and even honor killing. Under Sharia law, often homosexuality outright prohibited, with punishments ranging from imprisonment to the death penalty.
Religious leaders, such as Ayatollahs in Shia-majority regions, have issued fatwas (religious edicts) condemning homosexuality. In Iran, homosexuality is punishable by death. Amnesty International’s reports highlight systemic persecution, where LGBTQ individuals face both legal and societal oppression. For women, the legal system of Iran enforces dress codes, restricts freedom of movement, and discriminates in areas like inheritance and testimony in court. Under the Wahhabi Islamic law of Saudi Arabia, LGBTQ individuals face severe legal consequences, including corporal punishment and execution. Human Rights Watch highlights how arrests and punishments for LGBTQ activities often include public shaming. According to ILGA’s 2023 report, 68 countries worldwide still criminalize homosexuality, with many following Islamic or Marxist legal frameworks. Women rights in these nations also face significant barriers to equality. Here, often women are denied basic rights under patriarchal interpretations of religious texts or as a part of a strict political agenda.
Communist Repression of Individual Freedoms
Communist regimes, which prioritize collective interests over individual freedoms, have a history of suppressing LGBTQ rights and marginalizing women who challenge traditional roles. In some instances, communist regimes have suppressed women rights as a Western import. On the other hand, they have suppressed LGBTQ rights in the name of prioritizing collective interests over individual freedoms. Historically, communist regimes have sidelined such issues as “bourgeois decadence”.
Under Stalin in the USSR, women, though ironically equal under Communist ideology, often bore double burdens as workers and primary caregivers, facing systemic gender discrimination. On the contrary, homosexuality was criminalized and deemed incompatible with the state’s vision of conformity and productivity. Under Stalin, homosexuality was criminalized, with harsh sentences for those convicted. Though homosexuality was decriminalized in 1997 in China, censorship remains pervasive. The Chinese government removes LGBTQ content from media and tightly controls activism. Women, too, face significant challenges, including workplace discrimination and a persistent gender pay gap. They don’t get fair importance even in marriage.
Conservative Societal Norms
Deeply ingrained conservative norms in both Islamic and Communist societies perpetuate discrimination. These norms mostly marginalize LGBTQ individuals and restrict women rights. The pressure to confront established norms often results in marginalization and stigmatization. The situation proved more challenging, especially for those who deviate from traditional gender and sexuality expectations.
Despite being a democracy, Indonesian conservative Islamic groups exert significant influence, pushing anti-LGBTQ agendas. Women in Indonesia also face challenges, such as child marriage and domestic violence, often justified by conservative interpretations of Islam. A 2020 Pew Research survey revealed that only 9% of Indonesians believe homosexuality should be accepted, highlighting the societal resistance faced by LGBTQ individuals.
Anti-LGBTQ Rhetoric and Political Expediency
Both Islamic and Communist leaders have used anti-LGBTQ rhetoric to consolidate power. Similarly, women rights are often framed as Western imports, undermining local advocacy efforts. This same rhetoric often targets LGBTQ individuals, portraying them as counter to the collective goals of the state and social deviation.
In Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov’s regime has been accused of orchestrating a “purge” against LGBTQ individuals. Survivors report torture and detention, reflecting the regime’s alignment with traditional Islamic values. Women, too, face significant societal and political barriers, including honor-based violence. In Latin America, some leftist groups portray LGBTQ rights and feminist movements as Western impositions, stalling progress within these communities. President Erdogan’s administration frequently uses anti-LGBTQ rhetoric to galvanize conservative voters, portraying LGBTQ advocacy as “immoral” and “Western”.
Violence, Social Stigma, and Discrimination
State or religious institutions sanctioned violence and societal discrimination against LGBTQ individuals and women remain widespread in regions dominated by Islamic or Communist ideologies. This creates an atmosphere of fear, making the coexistence of LGBTQ rights with Islam and communism a distant and difficult prospect.
Women in Uganda face high rates of gender-based violence, exacerbated by weak legal protections. Although not a communist state, Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Act reflects the intertwining of conservative religious beliefs and governance. Similar patterns of state-sanctioned violence can be observed in other religiously influenced nations. Liberal, opinionated, strong women face significant stigma, with public opinion heavily influenced by conservative interpretations of Islam. A 2021 Pew Research survey found that 95% of Egyptians believe homosexuality should not be accepted in Egyptian society. Traditional family structures in many Islamic and communist societies emphasize heteronormativity, marginalizing those who deviate from these expectations.
Lack of Legal Protections
The absence of anti-discrimination laws in many Islamic and Communist countries leaves LGBTQ individuals and women vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. The absence of legal safeguards leaves them prone to discrimination, harassment, and denial of basic human rights.
Russia’s “gay propaganda” law prohibits positive representation of LGBTQ topics. Recent amendments have expanded these restrictions, further isolating the community. Women’s rights activists also face crackdowns, with limited avenues for advocacy. Under Wahhabi Islamic law, LGBTQ individuals face severe legal consequences, including corporal punishment and execution. Human Rights Watch highlights that public expressions of LGBTQ identity often lead to arrests and public shaming. Similarly, women require male guardians for many aspects of their lives, limiting their autonomy. In 2023, ILGA reported that 91% of Middle Eastern countries lack anti-discrimination laws protecting LGBTQ individuals. Meanwhile, women rights organizations frequently encounter state resistance.
While the notion of coexistence between Islam, Communism, and LGBTQ rights may seem idealistic, the harsh realities painted by these examples reveal a stark divide. The coexistence of women rights and LGBTQ rights with Islam, Communism, and Marxism is fraught with challenges. Despite that in every liberal, democratic, tolerant society where free speech is often protected by law there women and the LGBTQ community attack the government. Especially if those governments are conservative right-wing governments then they cry for more women rights. For similar interesting web content on geopolitics follow our Geopolitical Events section.