A newspaper in Malaysia has faced criticism for publishing a list of ways to recognize a gay man or a lesbian. Homosexuality is prohibited in the Muslim-majority country and can result in 20 years in jail, caning, fines, and deportation for foreigners.
Sinar Harian, the top Malaysian newspaper, published bullet points to help readers recognize a gay man or a lesbian. The paper stated that gay men have beards, wear branded clothes, and go to the gym – not to exercise, but to check out other men. It also said that gay men’s eyes shine when they see attractive men.
For lesbians, they suggested looking for women who hug, hold hands, and criticize men, according to The Guardian.
“More critical issues need attention in this country,” stated Malaysian YouTuber Arwind Kumar, who warned that the article could “cost lives.” A gay man and a trans woman were recently murdered in the country.
“If you genuinely want to educate society, then explain the characteristics of a pedophile, a molester, a murderer, a kidnapper, individuals who actually endanger the lives of others. How does a gay person endanger your life?”
Kumar specifically objected to including beards on the list.
“I know many priests, I know numerous very religious people who love having beards,” he said. “Are you suggesting they are gay? That’s how ridiculous this is.” ustads [Islamic scholars], I know numerous extremely religious individuals who enjoy having beards,” he said. “Are you implying they are gay? That’s how absurd this is.”
Malaysia is one of the most anti-LGBTQ+ countries globally, according to human rights organizations. In 2015, Human Rights Watch stated that anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination is “widespread” in the country. The Global Trans Rights Index ranks Malaysia as the second-most anti-trans country globally.
Outright International notes that not only is homosexuality prohibited by federal law in the nation, but several states impose additional penalties on Muslim LGBTQ+ individuals under Sharia law, and the country’s censorship laws have been utilized to prevent LGBTQ+ groups from organizing.
A 2013 poll found that 86% of people in Malaysia believe that homosexuality should not be accepted. Thirty-three percent of Americans expressed the same view that year.
In 2019, four men were caned in Malaysia as part of a crackdown on homosexuality. That same year, Tourism Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi claimed there are no queer or trans people in Malaysia.
In August 2018, police in Kuala Lumpur raided the gay bar Blue Boy — afterward, the Federal Territory ministry claimed the arrests were meant to “stop the spread of LGBTQ culture in society.” That same month, authorities sentenced two women to public caning for “attempted sexual relations.”
In June 2017, the country’s health ministry offered its citizens cash prizes for creating anti-LGBTQ+ videos. The following month, a hardline national Muslim group urged its 50,000 members to oppose Starbucks for the coffeehouse chain’s pro-LGBTQ +workplace policies. That same year, an 18-year-old boy was attacked with helmets, burned, shot in the groin, and declared brain dead by medical authorities — his classmates had assaulted him for being “effeminate.”
Only a year ago, two individuals from the British rock band The 1975 kissed in front of an audience at a music festival in Malaysia, leading to the cancellation of the rest of the festival.
