The following is a message from the organisers of the event, Seksualiti Merdeka:

Almost two-thirds of all countries in the world no longer consider same-sex relationships a crime, with many dismantling homophobic and transphobic policies, implementing anti-discrimination laws, recognising same-sex unions, allowing gays and lesbians to serve in the military. Yet in Malaysia, not only do we still criminalise sodomy, arrest transsexuals, raid gay-friendly venues and prevent the positive portrayals of queers in the media, we also seem to be stepping up on state-sponsored acts of homophobia and transphobia, such as the boot camps for effeminate boys. When will Malaysia recognise lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ) people as human beings deserving of equal rights? How long will LGBTIQs here continue to suffer the denial of our basic rights at the hands of both authorities and the public?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has removed homosexuality from the list of mental disorders on May 17, 1990. Yet more than 20 years later, homosexuality is still regarded as a crime in 76 out of 195 countries in the world. In South East Asia alone, 4 out of 11 countries, including Malaysia, still have laws that will put LGBTIQs in prison. While the outlook for the global movement may be positive, the daily reality for LGBTIQs stuck in these countries remain bleak and depressing.

In 2006, International Day Against Homophobia & Transphobia (IDAHO) was then mooted on May 17 to commemorate WHO's historical action, to help people around the world to get together, reach out and push towards a world free from homophobia and transphobia. In Malaysia this year, we are commemorating IDAHO on May 29.

WHAT IS HOMOPHOBIA & TRANSPHOBIA

Homophobia & Transphobia refer to prejudice, aversion, hatred and irrational fear toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual or any non-heterosexual orientation. Author, activist, and civil rights leader Coretta Scott King stated that "Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood." Among more discussed forms are institutionalized homophobia (e.g. religious and state-sponsored) and internalized homophobia – a form of homophobia among people who experience same-sex attraction regardless of whether or not they identify as LGBT.

On May 29, we will look at the LGBTIQ situation in ASEAN, hear confessions from ex-homophobes and work on a proposed 29 Ways Towards an LGBTIQ-Friendly Malaysia. Why 29 Ways? Because we want to pay tribute to the 29 Yogyakarta Principles, on the Application of International Human Rights Law in relation to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. On Sunday May 29 2011, we stand in solidarity with people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity across Malaysia and the world.

MALAYSIA HAS TO DO THE SAME! 

The global movement toward recognising of LGBTIQ rights is unstoppable now. Countries that still penalise homosexuality are in the minority, even in Asia. Since the first IDAHO in 2006, countries that have decriminalised homosexuality include Nepal, India, Fiji, Nicaragua, Panama, Kosovo, Vanuatu, Niue & Tokelau (part of the realm of New Zealand). Malaysia has to do the same. But will fellow Malaysians stand up for the rights of their brothers and sisters who are persecuted for nothing more than their sexual orientation and gender identity? What can we do? 

If you believe in equal rights for all Malaysians, come join us this Sun May 29, 3pm, at The Annexe Gallery, as we launch our campaign against homophobia and transphobia in Malaysia.

PROGRAMME 

1. Courage Unfolds: Screening of 30mins documentary on LGBTIQ movements throughout Asia. 

2. Neighbourhood Watch: Thilaga, Khartini & Pang share lessons from their time at the very 1st ASEAN LGBTIQ caucus meeting in Jakarta earlier this month.

3. Confessions of Ex Homophobes: Individuals share about how they changed from being homophobic. Come and share! 

4. Malaysian LGBT Milestones: Launch of website to document important markers in Malaysian history for LGBTIQs. 

5. Unveiling the 29 Ways: Towards at LGBTIQ-friendly Malaysia: Audience pick their favourite way(s), break into groups to discuss how they can contribute to the campaign in their own ways, and present their ideas. We need as many people as possible to join in this campaign. So come and bring supportive friends!

Day/Date: Sunday, May 29
Time: 3:00pm - 6:00pm
Venue: The Annexe Gallery, 2nd Floor, Central Market Annexe
(Behind Central Market) Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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29 WAYS

Here are a handful of the 29 Ways. The rest will be unveiled this Sunday during the event, and after which, it will be hosted on a website. Watch this space! 

1. Don't use terms associated with LGBTIQs as slurs. Don't use terms like gay, fag, dyke, pondan, bapok, pengkid, ah qua, etc. to make fun, insult, hurt anyone, whether gay or straight. Don't perpetuate homophobic jokes to tease someone or at the expense of LGBTIQs.

2. Support your LGBTIQ friends. If your friends or acquaintances comes out to you (i.e., tells you that they are queer), be kind and accepting, and let them know that your friendship does not depend on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

3. Get educated on the issues. Try and understand the perspective of LGBTIQs as well as the history of and theory behind sexuality rights and queer rights. Start a reading group or study circle on issues related to sexuality rights.

4. Support initiatives that seek to democratise Malaysia: Everyone, including the LGBTIQ, must understand that sexuality rights cannot be seen as a separate set of rights from, for example, freedom of expression, or freedom of association or freedom of movement. Together, we have to work for a free and independent judiciary system and a government that is accountable to all Malaysians, irrespective of sexual orientation and gender identity. 

5. Support/link to this campaign. Use the virtual badge (image below) on your blog or website to declare yourself a supporter of this campaign. Or link to this page using Facebook or Twitter. Tell your friends! Blog about us! Tweet our #29Ways!

For the rest of the 29 Ways, come on Sunday 29 May. Meanwhile, here is another set of 29 Ways according to The KL Word. Make your own set!