Muslim Greens Linked Colonialism to Queerphobia
New guidance attributes the origins of anti-LGBTQ legislation in several countries to historical British colonial rule.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in LGBTQand
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The Muslim Greens, a Green Party special interest group, published new online guidance arguing that British colonial efforts established forms of queerphobic oppression in various nations. The document asserts that these colonial ambitions influenced the creation of restrictive laws currently found in the Middle East and other regions.
Why it matters
By framing modern anti-LGBTQ statutes as legacies of colonial intervention rather than inherent local traditions, the group aims to reshape the discourse surrounding the intersection of Islamophobia and human rights. This perspective challenges conventional understandings of how legal systems in parts of Asia and Africa developed their stances on homosexuality.
The group listed 18 specific bullet-point examples of behavior they classify as Islamophobia. These claims emerge against a backdrop where homosexuality remains a criminal offense in nations including Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Iraq, Oman, and the UAE.
The players
The Muslim Greens
They serve as a recognized special interest group within the Green Party.
Green Party
This political organization has described the new guidance from its interest group as comprehensive and evidenced.
The details
The group's published guidance posits that colonial projects designed to mirror British forms of oppression directly resulted in the queerphobic legislation observed abroad today. The document emphasizes that while the UK has since moved to decriminalize homosexuality and legalize same-sex marriage, the legal remnants of its imperial influence persist in other jurisdictions.
Timeline
Homosexuality was first decriminalized in the UK in 1967.
The Same Sex Couples Act legalized same-sex marriage in the UK in 2013.
The Muslim Greens published their guidance on October 3, 2026.
Roadmap
The arguments put forth by the Muslim Greens align with broader efforts by activists to decolonize legal frameworks in formerly occupied territories. This discourse seeks to challenge long-standing assumptions about the historical origins of morality-based legislation across the Middle East, South Asia, and Africa.
Readers may find that this guidance alters their understanding of international human rights advocacy and the historical context of global LGBTQ laws. Adopting this perspective may influence how individuals approach discussions regarding the root causes of systemic discrimination in their own communities.
The takeaway
Understanding the historical roots of modern legislation can provide a more nuanced perspective on how global political shifts manifest in current human rights records. By examining the impact of colonialism, observers may develop a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding legal reform and social change.
Further reading
For more on the intersection of global advocacy and policy, visit the LGBTQand section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by GB News.
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Is it valid to attribute modern anti-LGBTQ laws in other nations to the British Empire?
