AUG 3 — Life for a gay person in Malaysia can’t be easy. After all, this “choice” of lifestyle is a crime. An act that is considered homosexual is punishable by a caning and a 20-year sentence. Muslims face additional penalties under Syariah law.
Organisations like the People's Voluntary Anti-Homosexual Movement (PASRAH) have dedicated their efforts to eradicate homosexuality by supporting severe penalties and closing down gay gathering places. Nevertheless, the country has a vibrant gay community that refuses to be intimidated.
Why do so many Malaysians continue this pointless crusade against homosexuality? In a nation that wants to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with developed countries, it chooses to marginalise a double-digit segment of its people.
Yes — it is generally accepted that 10 per cent of any given human population is homosexual. This statistic helps to explain why gay marriage is legal in many countries such as Argentina, Norway, Belgium, Iceland, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Portugal, South Africa and, my homeland, Canada.
Although issues over gay rights divide Americans, outright discrimination is widely recognised as wrong. Even France has a gay ad for McDonalds. However, some Malaysians continue to choose to be more like Uganda and its laughable anti-gay activists. However, there is hope.
The idea of legalised gay marriage in Canada was unthinkable as recent as 10 years ago. Even today, Canadian homosexuals face discrimination — but it is not nearly as bad as it was a generation ago. My grandfather had a gay brother, and he was shunned by the family. It may have been justified back then, but I would be ashamed if my family did that now.
Evidence that things are getting better suggests that Malaysia may too go through a paradigm shift and become as accepting. Let there be no doubt that despite the anti-gay laws: there is a pride movement in this country.
The year 2008 brought big changes with the creation of an annual event calledSeksualiti Merdeka. It is a sexuality rights festival held at the Annexe Gallery in KL aiming to “underscore the fact that even after all these years since Merdeka [independence], many of us are still not free to be who we are.”
As well, organisations like Pink TriangleFoundation Malaysia have given the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) community a voice, are growing in size and support and continue to provide a safe place for those who have questions on sexuality. Malaysia needs more events and organisations like these.
Some individuals are going above and beyond to give the gay community a voice. Jerome Kugan and Pang Khee Teik have put together an excellent collection of literary works from this marginalised segment of society called Body2Body: A Malaysian Queer Anthology . Malaysian gay people now have a positive and growing voice.
However, the biggest obstacle is perhaps the mainstream Malaysian media. As stated by activist Zaitun "Toni" Mohamed Kasim, “Sexuality in Malaysia, as with most other discourses in the country, is mired within a political system that teeters on ethnic and religious fault lines." Clearly, the media follows suit.
According to Alagappar & Kaur (Oct, 2009) of the University of Malaya in a study of the portrayal of homosexuality in Malaysia’s mainstream printed press, the media continually relies heavily on prominent politicians and religious leaders as expert sources when it comes to expressing judgment — instead of looking at psychologists or experts on sexuality.
Consequently, there is a less favourable representation towards homosexuality. They found that 74 per cent of the news articles published in New Straits Times were framed in a negative way. Furthermore, the media by highlighting the seriousness of the issue informs its readers that homosexuality is not acceptable within Malaysian culture. Unfortunately, some people only know what they hear on the news.
One glance at the mainstream Malaysian media and the existing laws and an outsider would think that homosexuals in this country are social pariahs. After all, a former deputy prime minister is on trial, again, for sodomy.
Interestingly enough, many gay Malaysians do not try to hide who they are. Open displays of homosexuality are everywhere. For example, tomboyism and lesbianism are more prevalent here than anywhere I have been before.
I have never seen so many girls in relationships with girls. This isn’t just liberal-minded or “butchy” females. There are many petite and dainty females in couples. A subculture of girls with short hair, baggy pants, and manly physique exists, and is as prominent as the Lady Boy phenomena in Thailand.
Tomboyism cannot be equated blindly with lesbianism, but there is most definitely a correlation. Even more, traditional Muslim women in hijab can be found hand in hand with a lesbian partner. These people seem to be respected, employed, and accepted in civil society. Conservatives don’t like this, and in otherwise progressive year of 2008 a Fatwa was released on tomboys. Thus far, it appears to be ineffective. Are you surprised?
Homosexuality is not on the rise, here or anywhere. Gay people have always existed, and to think it can be eradicated is crazy talk. It is merely the acceptance of homosexuality that is becoming more prevalent. Malaysian law and media opinion can both progress, and be the voice of the people — not just the conservative elites — and show the world what Malaysia truly feels about homosexuality.
Alternatively, they can continue to suppress and vilify these contributing members of society. Those individuals and organisations who are giving a voice to Malaysia’s gay population should be applauded. Sorry PASRAH and its supporters, gay people have and will always continue to exist. A small minority of Malaysians can continue to pretend all they want, but I am happy to say that the country is and will continue to be, as gay as anywhere else.
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