Nongovernmental Organizations and Muslim Queer

The Netherlands offers a particularly interesting case study of what it means to incorporate a changing sense of values toward sexual freedom while maintaining a strong sense of national culture and context. During the height of the Dutch system known as “Pillarization, ” daily life was defined by religion. Every town and village not only consisted of Protestant and Catholic churches, but also separate schools, butchers, grocers, doctors, and shops, in a sort of “separate but equal ” society that did not require much interaction between people perceived as different. The sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s had a significant effect on Dutch society, resulting in a retreat from the domination of religion and a rethinking of various societal norms. Gay and lesbian Dutch in particular benefited as Dutch society became more accepting of different expressions of sexuality, and in 2001, the Netherlands became the first country to allow same-gender marriage. The introduction of a significant Muslim community to the Netherlands has once again challenged the status quo and caused many Dutch to rethink their commitment to the concept of multiculturalism. Muslim immigrant communities have grown significantly i