Deputy-inspector general of police Khalid Abu Bakar has declared a blanket ban on all events related to the 'Seksualiti Merdeka' festival which is scheduled to run till Nov 13. The annual festival has been held annually in Kuala Lumpur since 2008 with minimal problems or negative press.
Malaysiakini, an independent news website, reported Khalid as saying that the police will clamp down on the programme should it go on.
He told a press conference today: "The police is responsible to maintain public order. When there is a threat to public order, then we must take the appropriate action."
Earlier this week, the festival was slammed by Islamic Party PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi who accused the movement of fighting an “immoral” battle and urged the cancellation of the related events.
The Star newspaper quoted him as saying in a statement: "The gay and lesbian culture is a deviated culture and should not be fought for or practised by any human being, especially Muslims."
The festival has been roundly opposed by Perkasa – a non-governmental Malay Supremacist organisation – and the Selangor Islamic Religious Council.
When asked to comment, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described the festival as a "deviationist" activity that goes against the tradition, culture and religion practised by the various communities in the country, reported the state-run news agency Bernama.
"That's why to me, it (the programme) is totally unsuitable and I don't know its benefits. I don't understand why they carry out such promotions, is there any political agenda behind it? But for Malaysians, they certainly have their own evaluation.
"But to me, any activity that does not benefit the majority of Malaysians should not be carried out. It's a waste of time, although they can say it's their own right and freedom," he said.
Pang Khee Teik, co-founder of Seksualiti Merdeka, said it was illogical to promote homosexuality because “you are either gay, or you are not”, and that the objective of the festival is to promote understanding for the marginalised and misunderstood community.
"We still have rights as human beings and, honestly, I genuinely believe that we are not doing anything wrong. We are not hurting anyone," he said.
"It is not promoting homosexuality, but a promotion of people who understand sexuality and those who accept themselves."
On Thursday, Pang wrote on the Seksualiti Merdeka website:
WE CAN BE GAY BUT NOT OPENLY?
It's true, nobody needs to be openly gay. But while so many Malaysian LGBTs young and old are being bullied, kicked out from homes, forced to drop out from schools, fired from jobs, abused by families, blackmailed, forced to be who we are not, to live a lie, arrested for being who we are, beaten up, driven to depression and suicide, KEEPING QUIET IS NOT AN OPTION.
ASKING US TO KEEP QUIET IS ASKING US TO TAKE YOUR ABUSE WITH A SMILE. No, we will not take it anymore. Our moral decay began when we turned a blind eye in the face of injustice, when we mute our voices to abuses around us. That is why some of us choose to be open. Because it's time to put a stop to all the hate and misunderstanding and abuse. It's time for Seksualiti Merdeka.
Other NGOs and groups have voiced their support including The Malaysian Bar and Sisters in Islam (SIS).
SIS said in a statement on Nov 1: "As a Muslim women’s organisation, we agree with Datuk Ibrahim that many Muslims are opposed to affirming sexual diversity or granting rights to sexual minorities. However, we are also aware that there are many Muslims who engage in events such as Seksualiti Merdeka in order to gain a better understanding of gender and sexuality in society. This dialogue, especially on thorny issues, is important for all Malaysians in our quest to understand how to manage diversity and disagreement in civil ways. As Allah says in the holy Quran: 'Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom (hikmah) and beautiful preaching and argue with them in ways that are best.' (Surah An-Nahl 16:125)
"Furthermore, the reality is that sexual minorities in Malaysia, especially Muslims, are vulnerable to numerous abuses by state and community actors which often threaten their very lives. Surely there must be a more humane way forward even among Muslims such as Datuk Ibrahim who are opposed to inclusive sexuality rights."
The Malaysian Bar said it is "proud once again to support the annual Seksualiti Merdeka series of events, with this year’s theme of 'Queer Without Fear'. We recognise the LGBT community in Malaysia as one facing persecution on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. No doubt there are those amongst us who do not agree with the sexual orientations and gender identities of the LGBT community’s members. But it is precisely because of this that sexual minorities, and indeed other minority communities, need to be protected. Individual freedoms and liberties mean very little if they are only extended selectively, or to those who agree with the majority view."
The organisers cannot be contacted at press time. More updates to follow. Click onto seksualitimerdeka.org for updates and statements of support from Malaysian NGOs and groups.
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Reader's Comments
That said, the NGO's seem to have it well in hand, and the statements from the Sisters in Islam are particularly good. They can always ask for whatever outside help or publicity they want, if they need it.
They claim " many protests from Islamic and non-Islamic organisations", but only "2 police reports", as well as threats by the police against a former head of the Bar Association.
A quote of particular interest is that the police "said the law in the country did not recognise any deviationist activity that could destroy the practise of religious freedom".
This is uncannily similar to the sort of language (taken bizarrely out of context here) that is used by Christian Evangelicals/ fundamentalists in the West to complain about not being allowed to discriminate against gay people. This leads me to suspect that maybe the "reports" were made by the same sort of people believed to have made "reports" about the Pink Picnic and Pink Run in Singapore a couple of years ago. In other words, it may be the Christian fundies stirring things up against gays, as they love to do. There are plenty of them in Malaysia too.
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=624526
After reading this article, I can only say 'touche'. ;-)
The moment i saw that, any hope is diminished with that kind of zealous mindset...the ban was based solely on his oppinions? Dude...if there such thing as democracy (which is now being overruled by religion) let the fucking people speak. We do not WANT to hear base on your thoughts alone. You just shot yourself with your own words.
What kind of benefits to you SIR? Your actions alone breeds hate, bigotry and violence. I see no agenda; no human choose whom they are to be. Its how they live through it day by day. Campaign educates and encourages love and tolerance.
Disgusting. Now theres a gay agenda? What about your oppinions stuffing unto others. That my friend is beyond agenda....propaganda.
Fuck....getting out of hand these freaks turn out to be
Hmm, and I thought Malaysia was a modern society.
The police make the rules? Is that kinda like a police state?
Scary!
Just look at who was the troublemaker in this particular issue......need I say more?...........
"Earlier this week, the festival was slammed by Islamic Party PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi who accused the movement of fighting an “immoral” battle and urged the cancellation of the related events."
This guy obviously considers himself to be God Almighty and fit to judge the rest of us!!!! What an EGO...I feel sorry for him.
Festival stopped
‘Seksualiti Merdeka’ organisers suspend activities after police declare them unlawful
Aizat Sharif
Andrew Sagayam
Friday, November 4th, 2011 10:53:00
Seksualiti Merdeka
KUALA LUMPUR: Seksualiti Merdeka, the annual sexuality rights festival, has been temporarily halted after police declared the activities unlawful.
Celebrating the “human rights of people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities”, the festival is organised by a loose coalition of NGOs, including the Malaysian Bar Council, and individuals. Its programme includes forums, talks, workshops, book launches, art exhibition and performances.
This year’s festival is themed “ Queer Without Fear”.
Pang Khee Teik, the co-founder of the group, said the members had yet to decide whether to continue or cancel the activities.
Pang Khee Teik
PANG: Society cannot simply kick somebody out because of a person’s sexual orientation
Yesterday, Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar declared a ban on any function organised by any group relating to the festival in the interest of public order.
Said Pang: “We are going to have a meeting among our organising committee. For now, all our planned activities will be temporary inactive.”
He said the festival had been organised for the past four years “with a slow increase in participation”.
About 1,500 people took part last year.
“How could it be unlawful when the only activity we do is give talks on sexuality awareness and rights so that the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people can be accepted by society and not be discriminated against?”
Pang said when interviewed by The Malay Mail at The Annexe Gallery at Central Market yesterday.
The Annexe Gallery was where the Seksualiti Merdeka exhibition area was supposed to be but it has since been abandoned.
Pang criticised the authorities, saying Perkasa and Pas Youth were among the movements “that have always been against all good intentions that Seksualiti Merdeka tries to portray”.
“It not just unfair but it creates a hype of craziness among the authorities. I don’t understand — they make noise, judging us like we are all bad but did they come to us or join our talks to understand the equality and anti-discrimination that we are trying to preach?”
He said “society cannot simply kick somebody out because of a person’s sexual orientation”.
“Instead, society should accept them as minorities who have the right to live. They do not bring harm to people.”
Pang did not rule out the possibility of the group shifting their programmes to other venues if the committee’s meeting called for them to soldier on.
Commenting on the involvement of former Bar Council president Datuk S. Ambiga, who was supposed to officiate at the programme next Wednesday, Pang said her role had nothing to do with politics.
“Ambiga is a woman who stands for all people regardless of ethnicity and religion. She is also a protector of human rights in Malaysia. I don’t see any political interference here. This is solely about human rights,” he said.
Many have protested against 'Seksualiti Merdeka' festival, says Deputy IGP
THE police have banned functions by any group relating to the Seksualiti Merdeka festival in the interest of public order.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said police had received "information" on the movement that organised the festival promoting the equality and rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people.
"We received two police reports lodged in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday and yesterday, protesting against the programmes organised by the group," he said.
Khalid said police would take action under Section 27A(1)(C ) of the Police Act 1967 and Section 298A of the Penal Code for "causing disharmony, disunity or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will or prejudicing the maintenance of harmony or unity, on grounds of religion".
"We have identified and will call everyone involved, including former Bar Council president Datuk S. Ambiga, to record their statements," he said.
He said police had been told many people and organisations, including 17 non-governmental organisations, objected to the activities, scheduled to be held at the Central Market.
"We received protests from NGOs, including Islamic and non-Islamic ones, which feared the programmes could create disharmony and enmity and disturb public order."
He said the law did not recognise any deviatory activity that could destroy the practice of religious freedom.
"We hereby declare the festival banned and we urge the organisers to stop the activities with immediate effect," he said.
"If they fail to adhere, action will be taken against them."
Khalid also urged the public not to attend any of the programmes organised by the group.
"The Bar Council should advise the organisers that their action is against the law. I don't understand why they did not explain to them," he said.
Khalid said that as a national security agency, the police were responsible for public order and they must tackle any threat early.
"The police are not against any human rights expression.
But when the programme threatens national security, we have to act," he said.
Religious groups OK with activities if they are legal
RELIGIOUS groups are fine with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movement as long as their activities go by the book.
The leaders of the groups were commenting on yesterday's police ban on the ongoing Seksualiti Merdeka movement festival at the city centre. The festival is until Nov 13.
Hindu Sangam president R.S. Mohan Shanmugan said the LGBT people had rights and should be free to exercise them within the confines of the law.
"We should not discriminate against them. They are also human beings and have their rights. They should be free to express what they strongly believe in. But, at the same time, they should abide by the laws on such matters," he said.
"If they have to apply for a police permit to organise such a festival, they should do so. They have to follow the law."
Buddhist Maha Vihara Brickfields temple president Leslie Jayawardena said society had to accept the sexual preferences of individuals and it was not an offence to hold such a festival as long as it was held privately.
"If they are disturbing the peace and causing public nuisance then police have the right to move in. But if it is a closed event held privately, then the matter falls under the responsibility of the property owner."
On Wednesday, Malay rights group Perkasa sent a note of protest to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) demanding they stop the Seksualiti Merdeka movement festival.
Perkasa youth wing chief Irwan Fahmi said the move to ban the festival was important to prevent certain nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) from encouraging “abnormal and immoral activities”.
He said if the organisers continued with the programme, people would learn to accept homosexuality and “forbidden relationships”.
Yesterday, Deputy IGP Datuk Seri Khalid Abu Bakar said police banned the festival after receiving objections from groups, including Muslim and non-Muslim NGOs.
The groups feared the programme could create disharmony, enmity and disturb public order.
Exhibition area abandoned
There were supposed to be 12 sessions of talks and discussion on sexual awareness and rights at the venue from Wednesday to Nov 13.
A talk titled "Nine to Five: Sexual Rights In The Workplace" was scheduled to be held at 8pm yesterday.
The Malay Mail visited the area at Level Two of the building, hoping to get the reaction of the participants on the police ban.
However, the banners, posters and paraphernalia on the festival, put up earlier, had been removed.
Instead, the section was temporarily occupied by a catering company providing food and drinks for a private function next door.
Interviewed by The Malay Mail, Seksualiti Merdeka cofounder Pang Khee Teik said they were suspending the activities until a decision was reached made by the organisers.
On Tuesday, police halted a human rights workshop organised by the group. The raid was carried out by four police officers — two uniformed and two in plainclothes — who demanded they be allowed to enter the room.
Said Pang: "We refused at first but they returned with the building security and asked us to cooperate. They peeped through the doors and left."
Being Queer Without Fear
SEKSUALITI MERDEKA is an annual sexuality rights festival held in Kuala Lumpur.
Organised by a coalition of local NGOs, it features talks, forums, workshops, art, theatre and music performances, interactive installations and film screenings, by a coalition of Malaysian NGOs, artists and individuals.
This year's theme — Queer Without Fear — highlights how homophobia and transphobia have negatively affected and continues to affect the lives of untold numbers of Malaysians who are discriminated against and persecuted because of their sexual orientations and gender identities.
The first Seksualiti Merdeka was held in August 2008, coinciding with Merdeka celebrations, bringing together about 500 people including those from the LGBT community.
Comments
So the Malaysian authorities violated their own laws by causing disharmony and disunity using religion. What hypocrites - forcing religion onto people makes it no longer religion, just politics. Islam is better than that when it isn't being used to oppress people as a political mechanism (by definition of the term freedom, you cannot have freedom of religion if the government favors one religion).
Submitted by Dan on Friday, November 4th, 2011.
reply
please report if there is any discrimination against any gays or lesbians in workforce in Malaysia. My personal opinion is, these exhibition is something similar to gay pride movement in Western countries. In the name of so-called creating awareness on diversity of sexual preference & to avoid discrimination against minority sexual group (LGBT), these groups are proudly advocating homosexualism as another form of life style that can be adopted by individual.
For me personally, I don't care if the person is gay and definitely I will not discriminate against them, but why do you need to have these annual event just to show yourself as a gay? What u gain from here? Absolutely nothing. Or maybe, it is the "in-thing" to come out and proclaim oneself as gay?
Speaking from religious point of view, major religions in Malaysia, Islam and Christianity (Abrahamic religion) forbids homosexual relationship what more to proclaim proudly as an homosexual. End of the day, even if you are a gay or straight, it is God who will judge. My point is, don't have to have these exhibition (which I presume is sponsored by gay rights movement from the West) just to show your gay pride.
Be gay, or whatever you want to be, but don't bring these unwanted Western culture of having gay pride movement into our beloved Malaysia. If at all any of these people are discriminated due to their sexual leaning, they can lodge a report and action shall be taken. But, I'm against these public display of self-pride in being a homosexual.
Submitted by Rayan Ka Goling is back on Friday, November 4th, 2011.
xxxxx
'Speaking up for my sexuality'
The Malaysian Insider – 15 hours ago
NOV 4 — I know I took an entire month off without saying anything but as President Bartlett from “The West Wing” would say, “Break’s over.” So let me start the 11th month of the year with a simple statement: I am gay, which basically means I take to liking guys over girls. And yes, this is the same Hafidz Baharom who has respect for Nik Aziz, believes in Muhammad and Allah, and also supports the existence of an anti-terrorism law. So as you can probably tell by now, I am not the kind of person who just belongs neatly to one group.
Hell, if Umno had an equivalent of the American Log Cabin Republicans, I’d probably be a member. At least, that’s what fellow writer Zaidel Baharuddin is constantly saying.
So when someone comes out badmouthing the one and only event that gave me the courage to come out to my parents in 2008, I would just like to say this: you probably have a member of my community in your families. And your denial, your labelling them as dirty, unclean, unholy abominations adds to their confusion and this will encourage them to distance themselves from you. Seksualiti Merdeka, though I may no longer be a part of it, exists purely to undo that damage.
After all, if Allah made men in many races and colours, what makes you think He himself does see sexuality in a similar context? Who are we to say we understand His designs?
Homosexuality is not a threat to any religion. It does not make people more or less religious. It does not make them religion-hating individuals or atheists. It does not even make them convert and become apostates. So can you truly play religion as a card to explain your fear of what you do not understand?
And to the dumbfounded and perhaps just dumb, uneducated women on that session of “Wanita Hari Ini”, homosexuality is not a threat to your way of life. If your husband is gay and married you, chances are he is still gay or perhaps bisexual to begin with.
And if you have a man who dates transgender women instead of you, that is his preference; it is not a threat to your livelihood, dearest members of the opposite sex. And honestly, if you are decrying that transgender people are getting better jobs than you, I suggest you just find a nice spot on the Penang Bridge and jump off. Because a Mak Nyah — a member of the most discriminated group in the country — can overcome prejudice and get a job better than you.
You are literally, dearest women, a waste.
I am not a threat to this country. No more than a socialist is. No more than a religious fanatic who thinks we need to take back sex from the Jews is. No more than the pro-Palestine nutcases who boo any Israeli athlete who steps into our country is.
I am a taxpayer, a voter, and perhaps one of the highest contributors to the nation’s overpriced sin tax via alcohol and cigarettes that will eventually lead me to contribute even more to the nation via medical bills in the later future. Hell, as a community, we probably spend more on the luxury taxes and import duties than the prime minister’s wife.
All I am saying is this. We are a nation of 28 million and growing. We differ in our politics, our views on religion and even perhaps our views on whatever pets we prefer. However, it is a known fact that every single Malaysian deserves to live his/her life in peace especially when it has no bearing on anyone else.
And no, just because you are disgusted by the sight of two guys locking lips in front of you, it is not causing you bodily harm. You may be mentally scarred, but that is just because you’re a homophobe. And while politicians altogether dawdle on this issue to avoid losing votes, other more religious ones are already whoring themselves on this issue to win over their dwindling votes.
But of course, it’s not just the religious who are doing the whoring. It seems the Malay supremacists are at it as well. And while there are members of the LGBT community who are racists in this day and age, and perhaps even more who are self-hating, guilt-tripping people supporting those who don’t support them, I am sure there are more gays, lesbians, transgenders and bisexuals who will just keep quiet and wait for the ballot boxes to roll out to prove their displeasure.
I know I will. Come December, I might very well start writing for another side thanks to religious idiots such as these.
* The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the columnist.
If you all communicate with each other, and all dob yourselves in for arrest at your local police at a given day and hour, how do you imagine that that they will ever accommodate all of you in the prison system?
The total prison capacity of all Malaysia's prisons combined is only 32,000 (in the 30 prisons, June 2009), already overcrowded at 38,387. You don't realise how much power you already have.
http://www.prisonstudies.org/info/worldbrief/wpb_country.php?country=102
Now you have Facebook, Twitter, YouTube to co-ordinate a single national uprising against your oppression. All it takes is enough anger at injustice, belief in your inherent goodness as a human being, and a decision to act.
Malaysia is the country the female ,former Welshwoman , Prime Minister of Australia wanted to send refugees to...
On the side, despite being a republican , I think Aussies need the Queen for some rational thinking at a high level.
God Save Malaysia...
Malaysia has a lot of corruption tolerated, why not this little party too?
Oh, well, GLBT Malaysians, you can decide for yourselves what to do next?
Gay rallies serve a purpose for gay people by helping a minority publicly state their pride in their identity and who they are, thereby improving their own self worth and creating recognition and acceptance in a society.
If a minority is invisible it will be persecuted that is the human way.
These events , I read , haave been on for the last few years without any trouble but suddenly this year the organizer ....decided to go crazy and adopt an aggressive approach ( unasian like ) and this is what it gets him.
The organizer ....I read all his history, see accompanying /
related articles onabove in fridae as above... was an evangelical Christian ..surprise surprise !
Let it be a lesson for him... jeopardizing gay
Life for the majority of gays in Asia, who mostly don't give a damn about such activist events ( probably ....too busy having fun and sex and living well !!)
Shame on him ...selfish and self promoting
Let it be a lesson learnt for him.
For election next year.
It will cause disharmony ? How ? Ppl will start killing each other or go beserk because they felt threatened ? My advice check yur foundation.
Will straight ppl sudden becum LGBT after the workshops ? This kind of comment reflects the little knowledge those ppl hv in terms of LGBT issues... The more reason for us to hv it,no ?or will ppl suddenly run naked or hv sex in public after the forum ?
Then some talks about events that does not benefit general malaysian society ...errr ... I dun think its a parade or roadshows at malls or anything like that...but it is held in a corner of Pasar Seni ... Which i think hv more tourist than local...
It shows how extreme, intolerant n cunning those ppl can be
As organizers of such events in Asia you DID NOT ANTICIPATE such publicity ?... And you call me an ass ?
Never heard of the co founder Pang until this article on fridae came up and I was curious and did some reading ...one article after another and various links.After another...not personal attack on him at all...but a general conclusion from reading those articles ...after all he seem
to be fond of being interviewed and indulging the various media....Including a picture of himself with police in the background !
The resulting reaction by your government would likely bring up unnecessary problems for the lgbt community ...In your country ...talking about stirring up . I suspect the lgbt in Malaysia would rather not have such attention on them !
I read that this event has been around for years which must only mean your government had chosen to close an eye ...so why the sudden interest and clamp down ? ...i also read in your newspapers online that you had asked a
prominent person to officiate the event ...AND YOU DON'T CALL THAT ASKING FOR ATTENTION ? ...and you call me names ....
I have visited Malaysia ( & Singapore & Thailand) several times and have always had good times and met very
interesting gay people and they seem to lead very good lives ...
Many ways to eat an apple...in a trouble free way !
Instead of expressing your "humble " opinions i suspect you would probably need more honest and realistic soul searching .
I dunno how you usually eat your apple... certainly there is a thousand ways to eat them. Different people have different ways in doing things. A way you disagreed with does not mean it is a bad one.
If you think the whole of Seksualiti Merdeka committee, some whom I know personally can be swayed into a confrontational way by Pang singlehandedly, then you clearly underestimated the intelligence of these Malaysians or you think Pang rules with a iron fist.
Over the past few years the movement has defined its direction clearly and gained much support from different NGOs and professional bodies. All stakeholders will want this event to go smoothly and not derailed by some news report. But let's recognise that as a movement gained momentum and publicity, there will be resistance and objections. That is precisely why people are doing what they are doing. You only know how far you can push if you do it. If you only run away whenever there is slight resistance, you deserve to remain in square one.
People during the Stonewall period might think the initial group triggered something inappropriate in the political environment then. But social movements often involved different levels of engagement, sometimes confrontational, sometimes subtle, sometimes peaceful and at times with violence. And in different societies, different communities, people have different considerations. Clearly you think this ban is a bad thing, let's wait and see. You will be surprised with the development, even if it does not happen immediately.
In 1990s, a group of angry lawyers wrote in to protest after a police raid on a local gay pub. The police issued a formal apology. Was that confrontational? Clearly it was. Was it necessary? I dunno because I was too young to remember. But today, gay pubs in Singapore were visited regularly by police, not during the clubbing hours but the non business hours so that the owners and the police can have common understanding of non drug policy and other safety issues. no gay pubs were raided anymore.
More recently, when the authorities banned the first Pink Picnic in our Botanical Gardens, overwhelming numbers shown up in the original venue just to show that we did not need to have permission to have a picnic. Was it un-asian to state our rights as the country's citizen to assemble for something as simple as a picnic? If that "rebellious" pink picnic did not happen, do you think Singapore will have a PinkDot that has 10000 attendees this year?
It is easy to point fingers to blame so and so whenever something frustrating happens, you need to remember a movement leader can only spark the idea, any movement will consist of hundreds and thousands of supporters and attendees, often nameless. Clearly, they shared the same idea of eating the apple... and they have intended to eat it publicly, and not in darkness.
The theme of SM 2011 is Queer without Fear, in case you missed it.
Thanks a lot for your broad views over such incident that had happened in Malaysia which seems being threat your comfort zone (CHINA).
I could not agree with your blunt 'attack' and 'trespassing' to others country issues by making such a damaging condemn. The event of Sexualiti Merdeka (SM) is not mean to create bad publicity or any publicity.
You have zero minded of how our country system works (unless if you are Malaysian pretended to be a Chinese national).
Have you ever attend any of the SM event? If you not and never have make an initiative you should save your time and do better things than trying to create more damaging and influence others gay men in Asia to create more negative environment for the community.
Are you also trying your best effort to create your personal publicity and to be a HERO over here? Are you one of the closeted guy (never dare to show your face photo in your profile) that worried your comfort zone being threatened even though this incident took place in Malaysia.
I would have understand for Malaysian to give such comment but not from YOU! whom is an outsider. Please stick to where you are if you worried this episode would have been a threat to you for your next visit to MY country!!! Your negative feedback to this issue is NOT WECOME by my Fellow citizen in Malaysia. Should you have further reply again, we will not reply as to let you find more space to make your senseless criticisms BUT will treat your comments as you talking to the air.
And I would like to enjoy that apple in the best possible way.
Its all in the approach that is taken to achieve that and still be enjoyable. Rather than be counterproductive .
I never suggested the whole committee of this event has been Swayed , all I know and have read is that co founder Pang is the spokesperson....and I comment based on what's written on what's reported.
And of course talking about rights is not unasian ...it's the approach ..( eg too confrontational ) that unfortunately can work against you if it is done provocatively...and confrontational. Sometimes even the labeling or naming can be counter productive even.
Respect the cultural parameters of the country and sometimes even pushing it can be fine as long as it is done genuinely and most importantly effectively .
You mention " queer without fear " well I don't see evidence of fear in those countries ...they seem to be having a lot of fun ! ...I think the fear comes from family pressures and that's a cultural thing that exist everywhere
.
Talking about sex is more than fine .... And it appears the
government of Malaysia has allowed the event to be held
for many years before ..so something must have made them react this way...
The example of the pink picnic is one I have some knowledge of because of replies and discussion on another news topic "shanghai pride" in this forum.
The pink dot organization ...yes that seems to work well and healthy and effective approach on dealing with such matters...so from what i have read about that organization it's doing a good job !
And as you have mentioned the police visiting clubs
outside night time club hours is another good middle way to dealing with the matter effectively too....
I suppose it is best not to sensationalize and bring up too much attention...and probably this will serve the lgbt people better !
I will have to address two points you have brought up in your reply to me. I do hope you will spend some time to think of them. These points are valid, in whichever country or community where LGBT do not enjoy full or any freedom.
All of us choose the people we interact with and perhaps in your interaction with Singaporeans or Malaysians, they are not telling you their full stories. Obviously we do not talk about fear of being a LGBT person in our own country on a daily basis. There are plenty of other things a LGBT person is worried about.
You are half right when you said that most people have fear in disclosure to their families. However, if you probed further, you will know basis of acceptance from families are their understanding of LGBT. No one system works alone. A LGBT person and their families interact with larger system such as the society, institutions such as schools, religious establishments or government bodies. Many of the discriminations are state supported, especially in Malaysia.
Even in Singapore where we somewhat have a slightly easy life, many LGBT live in constant fears. I work in a gay and lesbian counselling agency in Singapore, and everyday I see men and women struggled with different level of rejections, discriminations or fear. Some of these fears are baseless but you simply could not write it off for them because it impacts them and it is real to them.
A festival like SM comes into the picture to fill in the missing pieces in information about LGBT, when the media either gives distorted information or no information at all. It not only promotes a better understanding among the non LGBT people, but also strengthen the mental wellness of those LGBT people who are living in fear or isolation. If you have attended any LGBT event in your own country, when you are less sure of yourself and frightened by the thoughts that you are alone, you will know the usefulness of such festival.
This leads me to the second point and perhaps explains why SM organisers made the decision to increase the publicity. In all LGBT movement, there will always be core group of people. As a movement or festival gained strengths and momentum, one will realise that they are soon talking to the converted. The only way, often the most risky way is to go public, so that those LGBT who have not heard of the movement and living in isolation, can find the information and courage to join in. Of course, in the process, there will be people who object to its openness or over exposure.
This is an inevitable stage that all movement must go through. Because if that does not happen, such a LGBT movement or festival will become a self-fulfilling big closet event where others are excluded. Such highly publicised moves, may cause discomfort among those who prefer not to rock the boat.
I want to end this by saying, let's not be too unhappy that a festival like Seksualiti Merdeka is being banned this year. It can be back next year, and it comes back with a different brand name too. The most important thing is having courage to move forward. And courage is not about doing something, it is about doing something even if you are having fear.
For the minority among the group, who would rather choose to stay in low-profile to be able to enjoy the 'freedom' (free to doom eventually), that's your choice. As Confucius says,"道不同，不相為謀。" - if you not agreed in mind, then should not get involved. As Madasia would be one of this, so stay out of attacking SM / Pang. It's good to discuss and flourish, but please leave out any personal attacks.
Do try to understand from a more holistic approach too in relates to the SM banned issue, rather then viewing from the pipe. The political climate in Malaysia have evolved, and things are no longer staying the same. That's why you wonder "It was acceptable before and why not now".
SM is off this year, but the great thing is.... it now seeded in many's heart. The "festival" although physically being banned, but it'd still serve the purpose, or better this year!
Well that does explain the continued victim mentality of such activists and the stubborn use of labeling (ie lgbt ) to further their struggle.
I suggest these people should find alternative and more effective ways which is less confrontational to further their struggle. Maybe I suggest to stop behaving like a victim first ?
As for me ( and I also believe the majority of homosexuals) Do not care for such confrontational approach....and many and yes more like the majority live very fruitful and happy life ( and within their cultural context ) though may not be 100% perfect life AND without such need for glare in publicity...
STOP this victim behavior approach.
I guess "1Malaysia" only applies if you're the RIGHT sort of Malaysian, eh?
If you know any Malaysians, help them to circumvent these blocks by using proxy servers. Any IT-knowledgeable person can help. Or you can Google it.
GRRRRR!!! Malaysia: Drag yourselves into the 21st century!
IF YOU WANT TO LIVE YOUR LIFE IN PEACE IN MALAYSIA - DO SO QUIETLY!!!
Anyone who marches up the street is discouraged.........GAY or NOT!!
If you want to go to your local gay Club in KL or around - by all means do it! Do it quietly and with some respect for the country in which you live!!! KL and surrounds has many successful gay clubs......WHY??? It is because, as a whole, no one gives a SHIT if you rgay in Malaysia as long as you behave with respect!!
My BF's family are all very devout Muslims - yet they accept us because we live our lives together quietly and with respect to those around us.
Being GAY does NOT mean that you need to SCREAM from every roof top in the world.
No one needs to SCREAM GAY!!!
Simply behave like "normal" human beings and you will be treated in a "normal" and respectful way.
FUCKING DICKHEADS!!! Absolutely no need to scream!!
The festival isn't about marching down the streets. It's held indoors and just like a gay club, one doesn't have to attend if one's not interested...
If you want to live your life that way, more power to you. But the reason you're even "accepted" and not dragged out of your home and lynched, and the reason that KL has "many successful gay clubs" (and P.S., it doesn't) is BECAUSE other people have stood up for themselves and not just hidden in the closet and accepted whatever crumbs the establishment has brushed off the table for them.
There are many people who have spent their lives busting their asses so you could do what you wanted with yours. Try to show a little respect for THEM.
It's actually an Asian thing , we just do it and enjoy it but not display it like some one who needs attention.
You have certainly understood Asia .
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