Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity

The Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity was launched in January 2013 in Atlanta.^[1] The organization was formed by members of the Queer Muslim Working Group, with the support of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Several initial MASGD members previously had been involved with the Al-Fatiha Foundation, including Faisal Alam,^[2] Urooj Arshad,^[3] Tynan Power, and Imam Daayiee Abdullah. Co-founders include Raquel Saraswati,^[4] Yas Ahmed,^[5] Imi Rashid and Sahar Shafqat.^[6]

In 2016, The Advocate magazine named four MASGD steering committee members in its list of "21 LGBT Muslims Who Are Changing the World."^[7] MASGD is currently led by Mx. Yaffa AS.^[8] As of late 2022, MASGD is one of the few entirely Global Majority and Trans Muslim orgs.

The mission of MASGD is to support, empower, and connect LGBTQ+ Muslims. The mission statement goes on to say: "In our work, we challenge root causes of oppression, including misogyny, racism, capitalism, and xenophobia. We celebrate gender and sexual diversity within Muslim communities and promote an understanding of Islam that is centered on inclusion, justice, and equity."^[9]