Being Queer in Malaysia

While we observe rainbow flags being flown everywhere on the Internet, the Pride Month definitely sheds light on fellow lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, (LGBTQ+) individuals who often face bullying, harassment and discrimination due to their sexual and gender preferences .

In an Islamic country that are against homosexuality and cross dressing , where sodomy is considered a crime under Shariah and Federal law. It’s enforced by religious authorities who would usually target any LGBT individual who could be imprisoned with a fine of RM5000 and six strokes of the cane under the 1995 Syariah Criminal Offences Selangor.

Malaysia is against LGBTQ+ communities and has done conversion therapies that are deemed as inhumane.

LGBTQ individuals in other countries do receive equal rights and respect legally. For example, United States United Kingdom, European Union (Except for Lithuania , Romania, Poland and Latvia) Taiwan and recently Thailand legalized gay marriage .

The LGBTQ community in Malaysia struggle to express themselves with their sexuality because homosexuality is frowned upon and considered a taboo here .

A 22-year-old fashion student named Sofi (a pseudonym) from the LGBTQ community in Malaysia and has clarified body positive for identifying his sexuality as gay. He shared that he embraced his sexuality through arts and defending his own community from any homophobic remarks.. “People need a voice and if some people can’t voice out, I will have to step in and defend them,” said Sofi.

When he was young, he lived in a rural area where, besides his house, other houses did not have Wi-Fi connection. “I remembered that my neighbourhood friends used to come to my house, one day they decided to watch pornography.”

”They thought I’m weird because I wasn’t into heterosexual pornographic content and I realised that I’m not into women,.” said Sofi. That was the moment he realized his orientation .

Only Sofi’s friends in university and his cousin who identifies as a lesbian only knows about his sexual orientation.

Sofi recalled his memories when he was still in school, that he got picked on for having a soft and feminine personality. The other students would often call him derogatory slurs such as “Bapok” and “Pondan”.

Sofi says he doubts Malaysia would legalise gay marriage “They should but I know they won’t because it is a Muslim country overall. However I’m hoping to see some positivity towards LGBTQ.”

“Yes, there should be protection for LGBTQ rights, not just only for queer people but in general including men, women and children.”

“Bullying and harassment has always been an issue and I hope to see them being treated with respect and dignity,” he said.

“Also queer people are also being punished legally in Malaysia with a death penalty, I would really want to see that to be abolished.” he said.

*Real names have been concealed to protect anonymity.*