KUALA LUMPUR: Being gay or lesbian in Malaysia is a struggle. The continued government attacks on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the country is getting another attack, in the form of “educational” seminars for parents to “spot gay children.” The Teachers Foundation of Malaysia has organized 10 seminars in the country to assist teachers and parents in spotting the signs of homosexuality in their children and students. On Wednesday this week, some 1,500 people attended one such seminar, a spokesman for the foundation said. “It is a multi-religious and multicultural (event), after all, all religions are basically against that type of behavior,” said the official in comments published by Reuters news agency. According to one handout delivered to participants, signs of homosexuality in boys may include “preferences for tight, light colored clothes and large handbags,” local media reported. Last month, Malaysia's Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Jamil Khir Baharom said that same-sex marriages would “erode the family institution" and called on Malaysians of all ethnic backgrounds to protest against gay rights in the country. It was the latest attack on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in the country. He was commenting on the recent wedding reception of Malaysian gay Christian pastor Ngeo Boon Lin and his musical producer husband, American Phineas Newborn III, who were married in New York last year. The minister said that even the Christians in the country prohibited such practices. “The reception portrayed Malaysian society as confused. It's clear their motive was to fight for gay rights," he said. For the country's lesbian and gay population, the struggle for rights is an uphill battle. With the country's legal code based largely on the British system that was implemented last century during its occupation of Malaysia, and coupled with the growing power of Islamic clerics, creating openness and dialogue is often difficult. But couples like Rina and Youssra are beginning to see changes in everyday perception towards their relationship. “First it was our friends who were a little taken aback by our getting together, but they came around," continued Rina. “Now we can go to a number of clubs in KL and elsewhere, spend time on the beach and not be bothered, because we see that once people learn about us and see us, it is different." Much to the continued frustration of the community, the government continued its anti-gay strategy on last Tuesday, arguing that the country's constitution does not give LGBT rights. Deputy Minister Mashitah Ibrahim told the Dewan Rakyat that the federal constitution does not protect gay rights in the country. Mashitah said that Article 8 of the constitution, which talks about equality, has never been interpreted to mean sexual preference and only applies to gender. “Article 8 of the Federal Constitution says there must be no discrimination of citizens in terms of religion or sex. ‘Sex' has never been interpreted to mean sexual orientation; it has always been interpreted to mean either male or female, and they are [the only ones] protected by the constitution," said Ibrahim. Clause 1 of Article 8 states that “all persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law". Clause 2 states that “there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent, place of birth or gender." She said this in reply to a supplementary question from Ngeh Khoo Ham (DAP-Beruas) during question time this morning. Ngeh had asked whether it was right for the government to respond to the LGBT issue based on religious doctrine. The deputy minister had earlier said that the government is serious in tackling the issue of LGBT as it went against the constitution of the country, which states that Islam is the official federal religion. She said that through the many government initiatives, including rehabilitation and other programs, “many have returned to the path," an idea that has LGBT activists angered. “We see that LGBT happens following what is happening in Europe. It is not only individual but a movement. They are being mobilized to come out, as if they have been oppressed, on the excuse that their human rights have been taken away," she added. The LGBT community in Malaysia has repeatedly told Bikyamasr.com that they fear for their safety often after repeated government attempts to curtail their basic rights. One activist and lesbian told Bikyamasr.com recently that “while society is becoming more tolerant to gay people, the government is doing the opposite."
