page_title: Sikh feminism
section_title: Equality in the Temple (Gurdwara)
hierarchical_section_title: Sikh feminism / Issues / Equality in the Temple (Gurdwara)
caption_attribution_description: English: Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh (Sikh Temple), located at Edmonton, Alberta
context_page_description: Sikhism was founded in Punjab in 1469 by Guru Nanak on the foundations that everyone is equal, regardless of caste, age, or gender. Both men and women were supposed to follow the 5 Ks, Kesh, Kangha, Kara, Kachera and Kirpan, and there was never a distinction between what a woman should be allowed to do versus as man. Men and women are treated equally in the Temple, and everyone eats and prays side-by-side. Both men and women are meant to carry the Kirpan with them as they are responsible for their own physical protection, and should not depend on others. Sikhs are strictly against the caste system and many chose to use "Kaur" or "Singh" as a last names to push against the problematic caste system in India. There is only one God in Sikhism and they are without form or gender, and everyone is equal in the eyes of god. Many Sikh women believe that this absence of assignment of code of conduct for a woman versus a man, proves that their religion is historically committed to gender equality. Presently, the culture doesn't always follow these traditions and equality is often more true in ideals rather than daily practice.
context_section_description: Any man or woman is welcome in the Temple and accepted in all prayers and recitations of the Guru Granth Sahib. Every Temple has a Langar (kitchen) where people of any gender and from any faith, ethnicity or cultural background, are welcome to a free vegetarian meal. Everyone eats on the floor together to show social equality. Despite the fact it is not prohibited for men and women to sit together, traditionally they still sit on opposite of the congregation in the Darbar Sahib Hall (main hall), both equal distances from the Guru Granth Sahib. Sikh scriptures are usually publicly recited by men and generally it is only men addressing the congregation. Though anyone can be a Granthi (ceremonial reader), the long hours and social restrictions surrounding the job make it less conducive for a woman as she is generally also required to take care of her children. Women are often the caregivers or cooks, while men are reading from the Guru Granth Sahib. The lack of accessibility and encouragement for women to apply to be a Granthi creates inequality within the temple and discourages the possibility for change.
  Homosexuality was never explicitly mentioned in the guru granth sahib but marriage between man and woman is repeatedly encouraged.  Sikhism has no specific teachings about homosexuality and the Sikh holy scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, does not explicitly mention heterosexuality, homosexuality or bisexuality. Many have opened this up to interpretation, but it is argued that the guru's teachings were based on the ground of equality for all and homosexuality is no exception.
caption: Nanaksar Gurdwara: Sikh Temple on Horsehills Road in Edmonton, Alberata, Canada.
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