rawrevol asked:

Hello! :) I was actually scavaging your blog to find that article on Homosexuality in Sikhism, but when I click on the link it doesn't seem to be found. Any other way I can get to it, really intereseted in looking at your views because, I myself am looking into what SIkhism has to say about the topic. Thank you !

Hello, love!

It’s not working for me either. No worries, I’ll post it here!

pkang asked:

I RECENTLY HAD A FOLLOWER ASK, WHY ARE SIKHS SO HOMOPHOBIC? - MAKES ME ASK WHAT ARE THE GURU GRANTH SAHIB’S TEACHINGS TOWARDS THE GAY & WHAT, IN YOUR OPINION, ARE THE SIKH COMMUNITIES’ REACTION TOWARDS THE GAY COMMUNITY, IN GENERAL.

PS: GREAT BLOG! :)

Hi, love!

Lovely to wake up to this and I thank you for bringing this up! =) This is one issue I wish would be discussed more often. I think that much like Sikhi’s stance on the creation of this world, it is not known by many Sikhs. From my experience, many think Sikhi is against homosexuality! This is not the case.

First off, homosexuality is not discussed within Sri Guru Granth Sahib. Many would say that this means Sikhi is against homosexuality but that cannot be argued. Why? Because in Sikhi it is taught that we must respect, love and preserve the dignity of every human being, regardless of our differences. Marriage and aspects, such as sex/lust, however, are discussed. Marriage is discussed as the unity of two souls into one. Both couples are to work together on their path for unity with God and to serve God. They are to excel one another on this journey and unity. Lust does not allow for one to do this for it is considered to have no strong foundation to it since it is based on sex. Hence, marriage based on lust would go against Sikhi’s views on marriage. Lust is one of the Five Evils in Sikhi and it is seen as a force that only weakens a human. On a side note, just in case anyone is confused, Sikhi is not against sex. It is stated that sex is a natural part of human beings (pre-marital sex is denounced though) but lust, on the other hand, is forbidden.

Many have taken the aspect of lust within Sikhi to mean that homosexuality is wrong. The argument is that homosexuality is based on lust only. Of course, that is ridiculous because by this extension, one would be arguing that homosexuals only care about sex and form relationships just for sex. If that is what one argues, then you might as well extend this argument to heterosexuals. Those who are against homosexuality think that homosexuality is only formed on lust and so it is anti-Sikh. But who is to say that those belonging in the LGBQT community are not capable of forming relationships based on love and not lust, just as heterosexuals? Who is to say that homosexuals are not capable of forming the spiritual unity and serving God, just as heterosexuals? All human beings, regardless of their sexuality, are capable of forming relationships based on love. I think this is where ignorance comes in because homophobia only works to cloud one’s mind with misinformation and hatred. This fear that comes from the lack of knowledge only makes homophobes in the Sikh community think wrongly of homosexuality.

Moreover, the interesting thing is that marriage is discussed in terms of the souls of the two individuals involved in the unity. The soul in Sikhi is not illustrated in terms of gender. It is from this that one can derive the argument that Sikhi is therefore, not against homosexuality. Yet, those against homosexuality use the argument that the spiritual unity of marriage is discussed between a man and a woman. That is true. However, again, this does not mean that Sikhi excludes homosexuals since Sikhi has always emphasized on equality. Why would the Gurus be against homosexuality, while promoting equality for allhuman beings?

Another interesting thing? Nowhere in the Lavaan does it discuss marriage between a male and female. It is not gender/sex-based! =) The only time when the topic of gender comes in is when marriage is discussed as the unity between the bride (the united soul of the couple) and the groom (God). It should be known that while God is spoken in terms of a male, it is only done as a metaphorical representation since God is genderless within Sikhi.

The only place in which you will find the exclusion of homosexuality in Sikhi is within the Rehat Maryada, I believe. That is the only thing to my knowledge that discusses marriage as strictly being between a man and woman. For those who do not know, this is, in essence, a set of conducts for Sikhs to live by. If my memory is fresh on this, after Guru Gobind Singh, there were multiple copies of conducts written by various individuals who were trying to set a standard for a Sikh lifestyle. While it is based on what the Gurus have said, not all of it is completely in line with what the Gurus believed and stated. This is one of the reasons why earlier or various versions were not accepted. Guru Gobind Singh did start the Rehat Maryada but over time it has been changed and things have been added into it. The finalized version was sanctioned by the Akal Takht, which in the modern context, is not exactly friendly towards homosexuals. It wasn’t long ago that they condemned homosexuality as being anti-Sikhi and stated that it was an illness! Again, ignorance largely controls this mindset.

The bottom line? Homosexuality is not discussed within Guru Granth Sahib. However, this does not mean that Sikhi is against it. So what would lead someone like me to say Sikhi accepts it? The very basic values within Sikhi that state to treat everyone equally, that everyone is born equal and everyone is loved by God. In my opinion, those against homosexuality in the Sikh community only twist certain words around to fit their criteria; i.e. using the concept of lust as a reason to be against homosexuality. It does not and will not ever make any sense for the Gurus or God to confirm loving-kindness towards all but at the same time exclude others. Excluding or condemning the LGBQT community is anti-Sikhi.

With respect to the reaction from homophobes in the Sikh community: In my experience, it is largely viewing homosexuality as an illness that can be fixed. Violence has been used against homosexuals in the Sikh community. Thus far, it has largely been a verbal response from what I have seen. Then you have institutions like Akal Takht, which has published a decree that publicly banishes homosexuality from Sikhi. In any case, ignorance lies behind the reactions. I believe the reason as to why it is not discussed is not only because of the fear from not having knowledge on homosexuality, but also because there is a fear that there might not be a direct answer for the issue. Again, this is because Sikhi does not actually discuss homosexuality. 

People should ask themselves how Guru Nanak would react to the hatred placed against homosexuals and how Guru Nanak would treat the community…I can say for certain that violence, hatred or anything negative would not be his response! =)

P.S.

Much appreciated! Thank you!

ASK