Tuesday, November 8, 2011

In The Name Of Freedom (or so they say)

We all have to agree that, for the past few years we have seen quite a number of changes happening around us. Whether it's political or not is a different issue, but the main thing is, 'changes' or as our Prime Minister repeatedly said, 'Transformation'. Well, not many people like the words nowadays, but it is happening in front of our very eyes. Yes we denied it. We have seen Bersih and Bersih 2.0, where people gathered in yellow to prove a point, to make a statement. I don't deny it's a good effort, it shows Malaysian is no longer clueless of what's happening, they find the need of freedom to speak their mind in different kind of media. It's really great, it really is. We have seen it in other countries, but now we have seen it in our country.

People, not only Malaysian, but people of the world need freedom. We have read history, time and time again there will be someone stepping out from the crowd, fighting for what they believe. Now we see it here, in Malaysia. And the latest issue, the 'Seksualiti Merdeka' event that will be held on November 9 to 13. The question is, should or, should not the event be held despite the controversy that made headlines and news?

This is my view:

I will start with the reality. All over the world, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) group aren't very well accepted in the society. They were the queer, they were the different, they were the black sheep of the community. This is true. Even in a freer country like America, there is still bullies and discrimination happening towards this group of people. But of course, compared to Malaysia, they're a lot more tolerated, and a lot more 'mainstream' than our country. Some of them were tortured and teased, until some of this people, especially kids and teenagers chose to end their lives. It's a reality.

And next 'what do people think of these LGBT group?' I've read many articles regarding this stuff, watched interviews on TV and videos from the internet. Some people thought this kind if act isn't suppose to exist. People hate them because they're different. While some hate, some do support them. They said these people need to be stood up for, someone has to back them up, someone need to support their decision, someone need to accept them the way they are. In Malaysia, the last time this group wasn't suppose to exist. We can't deny they don't exist, but at least they were discreet enough to keep it at the low. But now we have seen the movement to make it out there. They want people to accept them as who they are, they want to get out of the closet freely without worry. What do you think about them? Do you think it is wise to truly admit you want to be with someone of the same sex? That's on you.

Now we move to, is it relevant in Malaysia, where majority of people is Islam, the official religion is Islam, for us to have this kind of activity. We all know in Islam, intimate relationship with the same sex is a sin. We have been taught through the story of the prophets, particularly Prophet Hud and his people, the Sodom, having relationship with what we knew today as Gay and Lesbian, including his own family, and how Allah punished them by flipping over their land which now we knew as the 'Dead Sea'. Does this story did not convey any message? Or are we ignoring it? If this event evokes anger in a lot of people, brought more hate than the original intention of making people accept them, should it still be allowed? What if the majority of people did not want this event to be continued and the minority still wants the event to go on, what happen to democracy? Is it fair if many oppose, a few support but still 'Seksualiti Merdeka' goes on, is it fair?

Now I share with you my personal view on this; I don't think 'Seksualiti Merdeka' should go on. It is not because I'm a homophobes, it is not because the majority of people did not support it so I want to join the majority group, no. 'Seksualiti Merdeka' is irrelevant in Malaysia to me. You know why;

1. The term used, 'Seksualiti Merdeka' or 'Freedom of Sexuality' give people the idea of a 'free sex party' as we heard in the news. Don't blame the news if they reported it that way because it sounded like one. A little discreet program name would probably be more tolerable, and remember, I said 'probably';

2. some people label LGBT group as the new 'religion', and they say no. But the fact that the program is organized make it a religious issue. Don't say we're not a Islamic country (remember Islam is only our country official religion, if we're an Islamic country, our laws will be according to Islamic Law too), we're free to do this kind of thing. This is not a loophole people. It's the issue of morality as well; and,

3. it is most probably harmful. Despite the good intention of the organizer to educate people, and to give them awareness about the LGBT group, I fear it brings more hate than love. I personally don't discriminate these people, but who knows what others will do. It might as well tore families apart, just to name a few.

I have more to say;

Celebrities have a lot of influence to people, because they are the spokesperson, they are the role model, because the are in the public eyes all the time. We knew Elton John is gay, married to a man even, we knew that Lady Gaga is a big supported of this group, and that 'Born This Way' is the anthem to this group. Well, if you're born this way, as a man, it is only natural to you to be attracted to a woman, and vice versa, and transgender, you're born as man you want to be a woman, that's not born this way, baby. Again, I'm making a point, I'm not a homophobes. Just a person tired of listening to people talking about rights, and this, and that, what's wrong, what's right.

I had my say.

Peace!

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