YOURSAY | Gender discrimination against Constitution, laws outdated

 

YOURSAY | ‘LGBTs are citizens and deserve equal protection before the law.’

PN supporters fixate on 'LGBT agenda' at women's march to tar govt

Proarte: For the past 25 years, LGBT persecution by politicians has become a regular feature. Those who identify themselves as LGBT are citizens and deserve equal protection before the law.

Gender discrimination is against the Constitution. Our Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his family have been through the full horrors of what LGBT persecution can result in.

A conviction for sodomy is difficult to prove. The widely criticised conviction of Anwar in 2015 for sodomy saw evidence being presented which was highly suspect and which to my mind only an irrational person could accept.

Anwar's experience should make him have the firm conviction that the British laws on sodomy and oral sex (Section 377) which we inherited are outdated and have only served to blackmail and convict political opponents.

It is instructive to note that the Indian Supreme Court in 2018 repealed section 377 and hence decriminalised sodomy saying it was "unconstitutional" because it denied Indian citizens equality before the law.

Not many Malaysians realise that Section 377 of the penal code criminalises oral sex and sodomy even between a heterosexual husband and wife and this would criminalise virtually all sexually active Malaysians and not only the LGBT community.

It is about time all Malaysians stand up in solidarity with their LGBT brethren.

It is a blot on our nation to have Section 377 still in the penal code more so when our own PM has been a victim of this cruel, easily abused law.

It is simply wrong to criminalise sexual activity between consenting adults which rightfully should be a personal matter. The state should have no role to intrude into the personal confines of our bedrooms.

Malaysia Madani cannot allow the vicious and bankrupt political agenda of PAS and Perikatan Nasional supporters to insult and marginalise the LGBT community who are citizens with constitutional rights.

Morality cannot be ascribed to sexual identity and Malaysians must update themselves on modern scientific views on gender identity.

BobbyO: There are enough issues in the world that need serious attention like lack of the basic necessities, jobs, medical attention, quality education, enough basic salaries and the list goes on.

Why are we more interested in condemning and even at times, assaulting people who live their own lives, some even contribute to the nation through their talents.

NoobMaster69: This is what PN is capable of doing, making noises that have no impact economically and don't improve the country as a whole.

So, by having no LGBT banners and flags at rallies mean LGBT will reduce in this country? It's a matter of personal choice, which PN has no control over. Even if now they control the whole country, LGBT will still exist.

If PN is so holy, they should just stop being in politics. From the millions of votes that they garnered, I'm sure many from the community voted for them. The way I see it, they shouldn't even get a single LGBT vote.

Coward: Even if it is an issue, those people decided to miss the forests for the trees. It's deliberate, for women empowerment means they lose influence.

If they don't like the march, then celebrate the achievement of women instead, particularly Muslim women in Malaysia.

We have our second Bank Negara governor Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus, our chief justice Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat, who’s winning praises for keeping evidence safe for former premier Najib Abdul Razak's audit tampering trial, National Audit Department officer Nor Salwani Muhammad, and now the first Asian to receive an Oscar for best actress, Michelle Yeoh.

They are the people that we should be proud of. Note that all my examples except one are Muslim ladies. Does PAS feel threatened by them?

Jaybond: For the layman rakyat, the TikTokers were right and young voters will buy this story wholeheartedly and most probably we will see another green wave in this coming state election.

This is real. This group of marchers is not going to help this government in any way.

We are not ready just yet. Everyone got to be patient in demanding their rights.

Life will be very difficult if PN takes over this government where they'll use every apparatus in their control to crush everything that's not to their liking.

For this unity government to last, they must do something. It's now or never.

Not Bitten Twice: NGOs and activists, there's a time and season for everything. We must work hard to keep this government (which is the best we have, so far).

There is such a thing as overzealousness for fighting for issues dear to you. However, let us stabilise this government first.

I, too, have plenty of issues to fight for. But it can wait if it is not immediately urgent.

MarioT: LGBT is a reality that cannot be eliminated through strict laws or through any vigorous religious campaign against it.

An issue of creation that is beyond human control, cannot be shunned but given apathy, understanding and acceptance.

Narrow-minded thinking largely displays immaturity and a medieval attitude and belief. - Mkini