Fun Fast Facts
- Malaysia retains its colonial era criminal ban on sodomy and oral sex.
- As Malaysia is a Muslim country, Muslim citizens may also be charged in special Islamic courts.
- In 1994, the government banned anyone who is homosexual, bisexual or transsexual from appearing in the state controlled media.
- In 2001, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia stated that the country will deport any visiting foreign cabinet ministers, or diplomats who are gay.
- In 2010, the Film Censorship Board of Malaysia announced it would only allow depiction of homosexual characters as long as the characters “repent” or die.
- Earlier this year Malaysia ’s deputy education minister was quoted as saying “LGBT is a social illness. We have to raise awareness on it. Just like drugs, a lack of awareness will cause LGBT to spread.”
LGBT-friendly organisation: Malaysia Gay-Straight Alliance
W3JOY interviewed Kevin from Malaysia:
There is no support from government, no support from hospitals. No support. Nothing, basically nothing.
You can’t talk about this freely to anyone.
As a person, you are always under pressure.
If I may compare it to Western countries, or maybe Australia, nobody talks about it.
Unfortunately, I got bad deal. I went mountain biking, I found a person who was a diplomat in the Australian Embassy of Malaysia. Me and my friend just came to a conversation, and he said, “You know what, I don’t understand these people….because they act like sissies”
There is a lot of homophobia here…I think the Islamic rule is getting harder in here, and the people here are under more pressure…it’s getting bad now.
W3JOY interviewed: Pang Khee Teik from Malaysia
On the anti-gay musical:
I’m fine with any kind of expressions, and people can say whatever they want to say, no matter how stupid they are.
On safety:
I think safety is always an illusion. While I do feel that I am safe to a degree, I am aware that the position and the privilege that I have has afforded me some luxury.
We receive quite a number of death threats for what we do.
On external assistance to the LGBT community
One of the things that has made me happy and sad are conversations like the one that I’m having with you now…I think because we are so global, it has created a situation where…activists from Malaysia have been invited around the world. We are not really talking to the people who really matter…the dialogue needs to be on a local level.
The dialogue needs to be where we can make a difference.
The arrogance and the kind of tone that is being used…the language is one of new imperialism.
I’m not denying the value of solidarity….To be human is to be global as well….What I wish they would do is empower the local activists.
W3JOY interviewed: Jonathan from Melbourne
I grew up in a small city in Malaysia, after high school I went to KL…that’s when I started to know that gay clubs exist in KL. It was an eye-opening experience.
I was in my early 20s and I went to a gay club by myself…it was very frightening…it was also a Tuesday, it was very quiet that night.
I’m not sure how my family is going to react, I’m not sure how they are going to accept my homosexuality. I’m afraid of rejection.
Some of my friends have come out recently, and they have been surprised by how their parents have reacted. It was actually quite positive. Their families are Catholic, and it gave me courage to come out to my family sometime in the future.
I just want to be true to myself. I’ve been here for a long time, and I accept it, who I am. It’s just a matter of time before I come out to my family.
Islam plays a big part…homosexuality is excluded.
Compared to other countries in the Middle East, Malaysia is actually quite moderate. As long as you keep your private life private.
It’s very hard for people to establish a gay scene outside of KL.
Published on: Jan 31, 2013 @ 2:54
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:30 — 33.4MB)