Analysing the Health of Queer Muslims Through the 4M Framework

A Scoping Literature Review

Bibliographic Data

ID12466952
AuthorsShiffa Samad (University of Technology Sydney, corresponding author), Siobhan Irving (0000-0002-9422-4827, University of Technology Sydney), Sujith Kumar Prankumar (0000-0003-2215-1275, Nottingham Trent University), Horas Wong (0000-0001-8473-1086, University of Manitoba), Muhammad Naveed Noor (0000-0002-7847-6637, UNSW Sydney), Bernard Saliba (0000-0001-8752-4242, UNSW Sydney)
Year2025
Volume29
Issue4
Pages1971-1995
Publication date2025-03-24
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSexuality & Culture (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1095-5143 • E-ISSN: 1936-4822
PublisherSpringer Science+Business Media (PUBLISHER • DE)
DOI10.1007/s12119-025-10342-3
OpenAlexW4408822920
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited35

The health and wellbeing of queer Muslims, a group positioned at the intersection of multiple marginalised identities, remains underexplored in academic literature. This scoping literature review critically analyses existing research on queer Muslim health using the 4M framework (Mega, Macro, Meso, Micro) to identify structural and individual determinants impacting health outcomes. The study highlights the profound influence of intersecting factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, geographic location, and socioeconomic status on healthcare access and health outcomes. Findings reveal that dominant epistemological assumptions about queerness and Islam perpetuate stigma, discrimination, and minority stress, leading to adverse health outcomes. Key barriers include inadequate funding, homonormative healthcare policies, and exclusionary cultural expectations within healthcare settings. Conversely, supportive familial, peer, and religious networks, along with access to digital resources, are identified as facilitators of better health outcomes. The review calls for culturally competent, strength-based models of care and emphasises the need for future research to address the diverse health experiences of queer Muslims across different regions and identities

Queer · Sociology · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · Gender Studies · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Marriage and Sexual Relationships · Psychology

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