Location: Joy 94.9 Studio, Level 9, 225 Bourke St,
Melbourne, Australia
Presented by Seksualiti Merdeka, Malaysia
Hosted by Joy 94.9
Supported by Victoria AIDS Council
Facebook Event Link
IS THERE HOPE FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, TRANSGENDER, INTERSEX AND QUEER (LGBTIQ) FOLKS IN MALAYSIA? Are there social movements in Malaysia working on the rights of those who are discriminated, marginalised and persecuted for their sexual orientation and gender identities? What are they up against? How can Malaysian LGBTIQs in Melbourne, as well as other Malaysians and Melbournians help?
Over the last year in Malaysia, we have seen how a Malay gay man offering hope to young LGBTIQs through youtube received death threats, how educational institutions are sending effeminate boys to boot camps, how the court’s denial of the transsexual Aleesha from changing her name and gender was followed by her severe depression and death, how moral policing squads caused individuals to jump from their rooms to their deaths, how religious & political leaders tried to prevent a Malaysian gay pastor in New York from marrying his partner. Meanwhile, across Malaysia, the majority of LGBTIQs live a life of silent heartbreaks and fear.
Yet, all is not lost. We have been seeing more and more articles, letters and comments in the media in support of Malaysian LGBTIQs. Even the Ministry of Women, Family & Community Development spoke against sending the boys to boot camp and later in support of the late Aleesha. Meanwhile, two women married in Johor to joyful celebrations, Malaysian Buddhist leaders spoke up in support of LGBTIQ folks, Malaysian activists were invited to the first regional LGBTIQ caucus meeting in Jakarta, and United Nations passed a resolution to document human rights abuse of people for their sexual orientations and gender identities. And from the 1-13 Nov this year, we will be having the 4th annual Seksualiti Merdeka, a human rights festival celebrating the diversity of sexual orientation and gender indentity.
+ + +
Pang Khee Teik, co-founder of Seksualiti Merdeka will be in Melbourne for the World Summit on Arts & Culture. While here, he hopes to meet up with Malaysian lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students and professionals, and other Malaysians and Melbournians interested in supporting the rights of Malaysian LGBTIQs.
We will discuss the state of human rights for LGBTIQs in Malaysia, what work has been done, what else needs to be done, share our hopes and brainstorm on how we can support LGBTIQs back in Malaysia. We can also discuss how those who are planning to return to Malaysia can prepare themselves so that they will be ready to join the cause or simply to live a fulfilling life as an LGBTIQ when they are back.
Well-known Malaysian activist Sonia Randhawa, who is based in Melbourne, will also talk about how we can support the larger civil movements for better democratic processes in Malaysia and how that can impact sexuality rights.
The forum is hosted by JOY 94.9, with thanks to Jason Gipps, presenter of Joy Pop, and is moderated by Budi Sudarto from VAC/GMHC, the convenor of Gay Asian Proud.
1 comments:
Hats off to Pang for making it a success in Australia.......I'm a gay medical student from a private university in Malaysia and doing my clinical internship at a hospital in the East Coast....I initially had the fear of coming out to my house mates....but then when I confessed about my sexual orientation, the result were not as dramatic as I suspected....my housemates were just okay with it. Just that sometimes, they make some crude remarks(jokes) about gay guys. That too didnt come into my way....Malaysians are slowly changing.....but you must have a brave heart to face the consequences....it may not be a bed of roses but its better than that
Post a Comment