Editing Nation of Islam (section)

=== Gender and sexuality issues ===

[[File:BLACK MUSLIM WOMEN DRESSED IN WHITE APPLAUD ELIJAH MUHAMMAD DURING THE DELIVERY OF HIS ANNUAL SAVIOR'S DAY MESSAGE IN... - NARA - 556245.jpg|thumb|right|Women members of the NOI at a Saviour's Day meeting in 1974. A women's outfit incorporating a headpiece and full-length garment covering the arms and legs was introduced in the 1930s, intended to preserve the wearer's modesty.{{sfn|Gibson|2017|p=35}}]]

The NOI's teachings on gender are conservative and patriarchal.{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1p=330|2a1=Barnett|2y=2006|2p=879|3a1=Turman|3y=2015|3p=140}} It promotes strict gender roles,{{sfn|Allen|1996|p=8}} maintaining that the security of the black family is ensured when its members adhere to their gendered responsibilities.{{sfn|West|1996|p=42}} Emphasis is placed on the family unit,{{sfn|Barnett|2006|p=879}} with the Nation being critical of the historically [[Matrifocal family|matrifocal]] focus of many African-American families, instead stressing the importance of a male family figurehead.{{sfn|Finley|2022|p=47}}

Seeking to restore black manhood,{{sfn|Haywood|2017|p=9}} the Nation expresses great concern regarding the emasculation of black men, attributing this attitude to the failure of black men to prevent the sexual assault of black women by white men over the centuries.{{sfn|Curtis IV|2002|p=171}} It expects men to be providers for their family.{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1p=330|2a1=Barnett|2y=2006|2p=879}} Women are expected to act as caretakers of the household and the children,{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1p=330|2a1=West|2y=1996|2p=42|3a1=Barnett|3y=2006|3p=879|4a1=Colley|4y=2014|4p=409}} and are cautioned against forming friendships with men.{{sfn|Gibson|2017|p=39}} Outsiders often perceive the Nation's women as being victims of male oppression and control.{{sfn|Gibson|2017|p=33}}

The group's leadership is overwhelmingly male,{{sfn|Barnett|2006|p=879}} although several women rose to senior positions during the 1990s;{{sfnm|1a1=Gibson|1y=2012|1p=104|2a1=Gibson|2y=2017|2p=42}} in 1998 the Nation appointed its first woman minister, Ava Muhammad, as head of Mosque Number 15 in Georgia.{{sfn|Gibson|2012|p=104}} Some Nation women still play an active role in their communities,{{sfn|West|1996|p=41}} sometimes challenging established gender norms in the organization.{{sfn|Gibson|2017|pp=39–40}}

The NOI strictly enforces heterosexual monogamy among its members and encourages sexual abstinence prior to marriage.{{sfn|Curtis IV|2016|p=18}} Members seeking to court another are expected to inform the captain of their local Fruit of Islam or Muslim Girls Training branch about their intentions.{{sfn|Gibson|2017|p=38}}
Men found to have beaten their wives are temporarily suspended from Nation membership.{{sfn|Gardell|1996|p=330}} Divorce is discouraged but not forbidden.{{sfn|Gibson|2017|p=33}} Children are expected to study hard, avoid street culture, and respect their elders.{{sfn|Gardell|1996|p=61}}

Although Nation members are allowed to marry non-members,{{sfn|Gibson|2017|p=38}} the group stipulates that they should only marry other black people,{{sfn|Gardell|1996|pp=61, 335}} claiming that sex with white women emasculates black men.{{sfn|Curtis IV|2002|pp=171, 172}} Birth control methods are criticised as an attempt by the white establishment to lower the black birthrate,{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1p=335|2a1=Gibson|2y=2012|2p=103|3a1=Curtis IV|3y=2016|3p=16|4a1=Finley|4y=2022|4p=59}} although Farrakhan stated support for [[abortion]] in cases of rape, incest or where the woman's life is endangered.{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1p=335|2a1=Gibson|2y=2012|2p=103}}
Same-sex relationships are condemned as immoral.{{sfnm|1a1=Gardell|1y=1996|1p=336|2a1=Barnett|2y=2006|2p=879|3a1=Finley|3y=2022|3p=56}} Elijah Muhammad complained that schools, jails, and prisons were "breeding dens of homosexuals,"{{sfn|Finley|2022|p=56}} while Farrakhan banned gay men from his [[Million Man March]], bringing accusations of [[homophobia]].{{sfn|Gibson|2012|p=101}}