Growing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric spurred by the recent signboard initiative in PAS-led states risks deepening self-censorship and social isolation within the community, cautioned rights group Justice for Sisters (JFS).
JFS co-founder and researcher Thilaga Sulathireh asserts that the initiative, framed under the guise of morality, will only further marginalise the LGBTQ+ community and entrench fear in public discourse.
She also anticipates a rise in hostile actions targeting the community, which has been the victim of misinformation and stereotypes.
In particular, she raised concerns over how authorities in educational institutions might enjoy impunity and be allowed to continue discriminating and enacting violence against LGBTQ+ students.
“Especially in universities, we have heard and documented cases of bullying, students living in hostels being surveilled or monitored by wardens, and even being subjected to efforts to change their sexual orientation and gender identity.
“We foresee an increase in such cases,” she told Malaysiakini.
Earlier this month, Terengganu state executive councillor for local government, housing, and health Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah said the signboards condemning homosexual acts are intended to instil public hatred towards such behaviour.
Responding to questions over one such signboard placed near the main entrance of Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, he said the initiative is to educate the public to reject actions deemed contrary to religious teachings and societal norms.
Kelantan Deputy Menteri Besar Fadzli Hassan later commended the signboards, saying the state might also implement such a step if it produces “good results”.
He added that the Kelantan government agrees with Terengganu’s stance that LGBTQ+ is a “major enemy contributing to the moral decline of society”.
Harmful, inaccurate description
Thilaga also pointed to how the signboard campaign appears to have led to the fueling of hate speech propagated by PAS figures against the LGBTQ+ community.
She referred to a statement by PAS Youth vice-chief Hanif Jamaluddin raising concerns about the Malaysian transgender population.
Citing a survey claiming that approximately 24,000 transgenders live in Malaysia, Hanif reportedly said the figure can be attributed to “confusion” about one’s identity, imported cultural values, and weaknesses in religious education and upbringing.
Thilaga said that accusing LGBTQ+ people of living a “deviant lifestyle” is a stigmatising, harmful, and inaccurate description.
“Sexual orientation and gender identity of LGBTQ+ people, similar to cisgender heterosexual individuals, are part of human diversity. The notion that anything other than heterosexuality and cisgender identity is invalid is deeply problematic and harmful.
“It’s also a myth and stereotype that LGBTQ+ people are religiously and morally bankrupt. This (belief) justifies and allows religious exclusion with impunity as well as the weaponisation of religion against LGBTQ+ people,” she added.
Thilaga said conversion practices led by states and other authorities, in the name of religion, are harmful and go against human rights and evidence.
Such conversion practices must be corrected, including by government agencies such as the Health Ministry, she said. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.