Know History, Know Self.
Radical Love: A CARE PACKAGE with Practical Resources
for Tending to Ourselves and Each Other
In 2018, in response to the Trump Administration's Muslim and African Travel Ban, Queer Crescent emerged as a space for LGBTQIA+ Muslims in the Bay Area. We began with a simple yet powerful intention: to create generative spaces where our community could come together, share their stories, and begin to heal. Our first peer-led support group in Oakland, CA, was more than just a gathering; it was a reclamation of space, a refusal to be silenced or erased.
From those early healing circles, we saw the strength that comes from collective care. The more we listened, the more we understood that our pain and joy, struggles and victories, were deeply interconnected. These healing circles became the bedrock of our philosophy: "heal to organize."
As we grew, so did our reach. We expanded into mutual aid, with the Radical Muslim Mutual Aid distributing over $65,000 and the Muslim Fund for Bodily Autonomy redistributing over $12,000. Both of these projects offered direct support to those who needed it most. We also engaged in research, launching the largest survey of LGBTQIA+ Muslims to better understand the realities our community faces, mapping how systemic oppression impacts multiply-marginalized Muslims daily.
But we never lost sight of our foundation: healing justice. From one-off programs to the creation of the Sarah Hegazi Fellowship—named to honor the Egyptian queer socialist activist who died by suicide in 2020—our work is anchored in healing.
It is through healing that we build resilience, and through resilience that we build power.
- words by Rubyna Ali, 2024 Sarah Hegazi Fellow
A post-2024 election offering from Queer Crescent and our Sarah Hegazi Fellow, Rubyna Ali, this zine is meant to inspire conversations about how we can imbue our strategies for survival and resilience with an ethos of care; to consider ways we can show up for ourselves and each other, and ‘move’ through times of struggle while ensuring that no one is left behind.
The resources offered in the zine are an exploration of simple ways we can experiment with making safer, more accessible spaces and communities; reducing harm; strengthening relationships; and cultivating opportunities for healing. We hope that these tips and tools provide you and your beloveds with some support as you dream up and create the liberated future we long for.
Palestine is a Queer Issue
Queer Crescent has joined millions in calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and towards a Free Palestine. We rallied LGBTQ+ organizations and leaders to sign-on to our campaign, and commit to resisting pinkwashing.
Watch our teach-in co-hosted with Palestinian Feminist Collective, Lavender Phoenix, Teaching Palestine and AMED Ethnic Studies.
20 years of the War on Terror: Terrorizing Communities
resist.
Queer Crescent Core Member Neda hosted an Instagram live conversation with Shamayel from @Blingistan. on Resistance in Afghanistan and Fighting Imperialism. Watch recording.
reframe.
Download the War on Terror infographics.
link.
Shenaaz linked gendered violence and the War on Terror during a cohort Convening of Move to End Violence, as part of her role in the Fifth and final cohort of this three year long leadership program. Watch the recording.
Cultural Change:
Sheer Qorma x Queer Crescent Collaboration
commune.
Sheer Qorma illustrates common experiences faced by many LGBTQI+ Muslims including grief and loss; repair and reconciliation; and reparenting. Through the characters and the choices they face, community is also given a roadmap on how transformation can be achieved at various places - whether parent, sibling, partner or self. We brought together community members Urooj Arshad and Anum Awan to discuss the healing and cultural importance of this film. Watch the panel recording.
reflect.
We’ve created a Sheer Qorma x Queer Crescent workbook to support you unpacking this film. Download the fillable workbook here. Follow Sheer Qorma to learn about future screenings.
Big thanks to MASGD and Hidayah LGBTQ for working with us and co-sponsoring this event.
There is no ban on abortion in Islam.
QC Advisor Rafa Kidvai breaks down all the assumptions made about Islam and abortion on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee. This is part of our organizing efforts to flank the reproductive justice movement in the face of mounting anti-abortion and anti-trans bans sweeping the country. Reproductive justice is bodily autonomy which is very much a queer issue.