EARLIER this week, an aide to our new youth and sports minister resigned his office due to public pressure on the minister for hiring an advocate of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights. This was a sad development because from most accounts, the person was said to be capable, hardworking and more than qualified for the job.

It is rather sad that even amid the renewed sense of hope and rekindled spirit of patriotism, a Malaysian is denied his right to serve his country simply because of his ideas about sexual orientation. Ideas that have absolutely no bearing on his ability to perform his tasks well. Ideas that are far less dangerous, divisive or harmful than some spewed by public officials in the past.

LGBT is such a taboo term in Malaysia, it is probably safer to talk about other “forbidden” ideologies like Zionism or communism.

It is not really surprising that religious NGOs, official government bodies, religious authorities, community leaders not directly involved in the discussion, even politicians wanting to capitalise on a hot issue, have consistently and rather forcefully, spoken out about the LGBT community in Malaysia, labelling them everything from “merely” deviant to sinister organised, nefarious movement with a secret agenda.

The goal post for “agenda”, too, ranges from recognition of gay rights, to the complete conversion of Semenanjung and Borneo to a full-fledged Sodom and Gomorrah, complete with (unnatural) sex parties done on the scale of Macy’s or Mardi Gras.

A few forums or get-togethers do not an orgy make. Neither can they really affect the way a country runs its policies. They can, however, allow for an exchange of ideas and for discussion with an open view for dialogue and understanding.

In fighting against LGBT rights, those against it seem to have crossed the line into fighting against the LGBT person’s right to exist as an ordinary citizen.

This also seems to be exclusive to certain causes or moral wrongs, while we appear to tolerate others. Adultery, for example, is often held as an offence as grave as “being LGBT” in most religious communities, yet adulterers, some caught on film, are not talked about as much as public figures suspected of being an LGBT sympathiser. Often these people are vilified with far stronger terms and language.

Even people convicted of public fraud, or corruption, or murder, are less prone to be subjected to such harshness.

This mostly appears to stem from the idea that “modern” LGBT ideas are not only sinful and dangerous, but contagious as well. If that were truly the case, you would see most of Europe being gay.

Of course, in a democracy, the will of the majority determines the rules. But the voice of the minority should not be suppressed on any grounds, however strong we feel those grounds are. Likewise, debate about issues should be done in a civil manner as all parties do have a right to be heard. More importantly, a person should not be punished for not agreeing with a view, religious or otherwise.

To stop a person from performing a job, or to restrict his or her movement or right of association, or deny them representation is going beyond fighting against an ideology, a way of life or a moral choice. It is denying them basic rights that should belong to every Malaysian.

It is entirely possible to have vastly differing ideas about religion, or morality, or sexual expression yet share a common goal such as fighting corruption or nation-building. – July 11, 2018.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.