Gold, silver rebound on Tuesday    Oil prices hold steady on Tuesday    Egypt's central bank, Afreximbank sign MoU to develop pan-African gold bank    Abdelatty outlines Egypt's peace and development vision for Eastern Congo and Horn of Africa    Egypt to launch 2026-2030 national strategy for 11m people with disabilities    Prime Minister reviews reforms to boost efficiency of state-owned economic authorities    Egypt, Lebanon sign deal to supply natural gas to Deir Ammar power plant    The apprentice's ascent: JD Vance's five-point blueprint for 2028    Kremlin demands Ukraine's total withdrawal from Donbas before any ceasefire    Egypt, Djibouti explore expanded infrastructure, development cooperation    Health Ministry, Veterinarians' Syndicate discuss training, law amendments, veterinary drugs    Egypt completes restoration of 43 historical agreements, 13 maps for Foreign Ministry archive    Egypt's "Decent Life" initiative targets EGP 4.7bn investment for sewage, health in Al-Saff and Atfih    Egypt, Viatris sign MoU to expand presidential mental health initiative    Egypt sends medical convoy, supplies to Sudan to support healthcare sector    Egypt's PM reviews rollout of second phase of universal health insurance scheme    Egypt sends 15th urgent aid convoy to Gaza in cooperation with Catholic Relief Services    Al-Sisi: Egypt seeks binding Nile agreement with Ethiopia    Egyptian-built dam in Tanzania is model for Nile cooperation, says Foreign Minister    Egypt flags red lines, urges Sudan unity, civilian protection    Al-Sisi affirms support for Sudan's sovereignty and calls for accountability over conflict crimes    Egypt unveils restored colossal statues of King Amenhotep III at Luxor mortuary temple    Egyptian Golf Federation appoints Stuart Clayton as technical director    4th Egyptian Women Summit kicks off with focus on STEM, AI    UNESCO adds Egyptian Koshari to intangible cultural heritage list    UNESCO adds Egypt's national dish Koshary to intangible cultural heritage list    Egypt recovers two ancient artefacts from Belgium    Egypt, Saudi nuclear authorities sign MoU to boost cooperation on nuclear safety    Australia returns 17 rare ancient Egyptian artefacts    Egypt warns of erratic Ethiopian dam operations after sharp swings in Blue Nile flows    Egypt golf team reclaims Arab standing with silver; Omar Hisham Talaat congratulates team    Egypt launches Red Sea Open to boost tourism, international profile    Sisi expands national support fund to include diplomats who died on duty    Egypt's PM reviews efforts to remove Nile River encroachments    Egypt resolves dispute between top African sports bodies ahead of 2027 African Games    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Gay arts festival faces condemnation in Malaysia
Gay activists in Malaysia hold a five-day festival at a private arts centre to counter widespread homophobia, while Muslim non-governmental groups plan to protest the event
AP Published in Ahram Online on 03 - 11 - 2011

Gay rights activists in Muslim-majority Malaysia are facing mounting pressure to scrap an annual arts festival that aims to fight discrimination. The "Sexual Independence" festival has been held under low-key circumstances in Kuala Lumpur since 2008, but growing awareness about the event is leading to criticism by politicians and religious leaders.
This year's five-day festival — starting Nov. 9 at a private arts centre and themed "Queer Without Fear" — will feature musical performances of "queer anthems sung by fierce local singers and drag divas who know what it means to love out loud and proud," organizers said Thursday.
Media censorship rules forbid movies and song lyrics that promote acceptance of gays, while a decades-old law makes sodomy punishable by 20 years in prison, though it is seldom and selectively enforced.
The festival program also includes talks on sexuality issues, a poster exhibition and a makeup workshop by a drag queen. One session is titled "Defense Against The Dark Arts: Homophobia 101."
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Thursday described the event as "inappropriate," according to the national news agency, Bernama.
"It is a waste of time, even though they can say it is their right" to stage the event, Muhyiddin reportedly said. Several Muslim nongovernment groups planned to protest the festival Friday. Separately, they have also demanded that authorities ban a planned concert by openly gay British star Elton John later this month. The government has yet to respond to those calls.
Gay rights activists said the festival was meant to counter widespread homophobia in this socially conservative Asian nation, where a young gay man received death threats last year after posting a YouTube clip defending his sexuality. Authorities accused him of insulting Islam, though no official action was taken.
Festival spokesman Pang Khee Teik said many Malaysian gays and transsexuals were being forced to "live a lie" because of discrimination. "Asking us to keep quiet is asking us to take your abuse with a smile," Pang said in an online statement posted Thursday. "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." The festival's sponsors and supporters include the Malaysian chapter of Amnesty International, the country's main grouping of lawyers and other human rights organizations.

Clic here to read the story from its source.