UNDERSTAND us first before preaching heaven and hell to us, said transgender Mohamed Bakri Abu Bakar during a Lesbians, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) programme today.

Bakri, also known as Kak Jun, said Malaysians should not be so quick to judge them.

“If people don’t know the person then don’t preach about heaven and hell because we don’t know where we will go.

“Get to know a person first before preaching to them. If the authorities are convincing, they will change.

“Don’t be so dramatic and say that we will only receive a ticket to heaven if we change our ways,” Bakri said during an LGBT awareness programme organised by the Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) in Universiti Malaya today, which was attended by about 300 students.

Jakim officer Dr Mohd Izwan Md Yusof, who was giving a talk during the programme, said they were willing help out anyone who wanted to change their lifestyle.

“Jakim does not agree with the LGBT lifestyle but we don’t deny that they also have the right to be given counselling and guidance.

“Some are already set in their ways but we welcome anyone who wants to change to come to Jakim.

“Maybe in our community they have been stigmatised and labelled that they will go to hell, but we will have to educate the people on this so they will see the bigger picture that there is room for us to help the LGBT, if they want it,” he said.

Bakri said the authorities and religious people should be gentle with the LGBT community.

“Jakim is good in approaching the LGBT now. Before this the religious department in other states will shout at them and abuse them when conducting raids. So they (LGBT) are afraid of them (religious authorities). So they start to feel more separated from the religion.

“Things have changed now as the authorities have a better approach in dealing with the LGBT.”

Bakri said that he has been working with Jakim since 2012 to help members of the LGBT community who want to “return back to their ways”.

“Last time when I use to dress as a woman, people use to call me ‘bapok’ (transvestite) and it is very rude. I also have feelings.

“I was a sex worker for 20 years and I was thinking of changing my lifestyle after my mother passed away. After a few years I attended a Jakim programme and it changed me,” he said.

A former lesbian, who wants to be known as Rynn, said she despised people who told her that she would go to hell because of her ways.

“Last time, I use be proud to be a lesbian, but I didn’t like people preaching to me and talking about going to hell,” she said at the programme. – October 13, 2017.