Episode 2: Ameera Khan
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Queerful is a podcast about the power of stories and the creativity of the LGBTQ+ community. Hosted by Benjamin Rose (they/them), each episode features ordinary humans who are changing the world in the most queerful ways.
In this episode, Benjamin Rose interviews Ameera (she/her/hers) about her coming out journey, queerness within Islam, and building community.
Ameera Khan is a Bengali-American Muslim whose Islam is informed from a myriad of sources, including theological training in the completion of her Hifz, or memorization of the Quran, and both traditional and progressive Muslim perspectives. She is informed by Sunni, Sufi, anti-patriarchal, and liberation theology-oriented traditions within Shari'a, Quran, Hadith, and Islamic History. This includes properly interpreting dominant narratives around commonly cited Islamic excuses for homophobia and transphobia, including the story of the people of Lot.
Ameera joined the Muslim Youth Leadership Council as a Youth activist in 2018 to learn how empowered queer and transgender Muslims are reclaiming their narrative across the country. She has held numerous workshops surrounding the topic of reclaiming Queer Islamic History, broadening the narratives of who is considered a Muslim or a Vessel of Divinity and Wisdom. She has also organized conferences, most recently the Muslim Youth Leadership Council's 1st Virtual Conference on May 2nd and 3rd, 2020, which drew virtual attendees from across the globe. In her professional life, she typically works as DevOps Engineer.
Facebook: @bengalbrony
Instagram: @bengalbrony
LinkedIn: Ameera Khan
Episode Notes
Below are links to various organizations, media, and resources mentioned in the episode and/or recommended by Ameera!
Black Lives Matter
Find More Resources
Muslim Youth Leadership Council
Website
"I'm Muslim and I Might Not Be Straight" [PDF]
"I'm Muslim and My Gender Doesn't Fit Me" [PDF]
Muslims for Progressive Values
Website
"Sexual Diversity in Islam: Is There Room in Islam For Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Muslims?" [Article]
El Tawhid Juma Circle
Website
El-Farouk Khaki, Imam
Shahana Hanif
Campaign Website
Teen Vogue Interview
Scott Siraj Al-Haqq Kugle
Homosexuality in Islam [Book]
Paris is Burning
Pais is Burning [Film]
Metro Trans Umbrella Group
Website
Sayer Johnson, Executive Director & Co-Founder