LGBTQIA+ Forum in Malaysia Canceled Following Online Abuse And Threats
Image: Malaysian authorities still believe homosexuality can simply be 'reversed'.
Image: Pete Unseth via Wikimedia Commons
A forum aimed at promoting sexual health awareness and sharing queer experiences in Malaysia has been indefinitely postponed following a wave of online abuse and criticism from government officials.
Titled 鈥淧ride Care: Queer Stories & Sexual Health Awareness,鈥� the event was organised by Pemuda Sosialis, the youth wing of a small opposition party, and was set to be held next month.
Online threats cancel聽Pride Care聽event in Malaysia聽
The forum was envisioned as a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to share their stories and raise awareness about sexual health challenges.
However, after the event鈥檚 promotion began circulating on social media, it quickly became the target of hate-fuelled comments and threats.
Users tagged the Royal Malaysian Police, demanding an investigation, while prominent figures in the government condemned the event.
By Wednesday, Religious Affairs Minister Mohd Na鈥檌m Mokhtar publicly described the forum as an endorsement of 鈥渄eviant culture,鈥� reinforcing the government鈥檚 increasingly conservative stance.
This rising hostility is seen as part of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim鈥檚 broader attempt to appeal to Malaysia鈥檚 Muslim majority, especially with the growing influence of the Islamist Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS), now the largest party in Parliament鈥檚 lower house.
Although Anwar has previously expressed moderate views, saying in a 2023 CNN interview, 鈥淢uslims and non-Muslims alike, there is a consensus 鈥� they do not accept this鈥� But do we then go and harass them? That is a different subject. I do not approve of any attempt to harass,鈥� the latest developments suggest increasing political pressure to distance his administration from anything perceived as LGBTQIA+ advocacy.
On Saturday, Pemuda Sosialis announced the indefinite postponement of the forum, citing the safety of participants.
The group also issued a statement blaming the government for enabling the backlash.
A now-deleted Facebook post shared a touching message.
鈥淯nfiltered and unapologetic, we want to show that you are seen. Despite everything, you are not alone in this journey. Your existence and experiences are valid. Your body deserves respect and care” they wrote.听
Malaysia鈥檚 LGBTQIA+ community continues to suffer from archaic laws with homosexuality still remaining illegal in the country and LGBTQIA+ people largely existing without any rights and visibility as same-sex behaviour and diverse gender expression is criminalised.
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