NOT all differences are meant to be reconciled; not all are problems that need to be solved. Some people may like to wear white shoes to school, and others, black. A minister makes a ruling, small voices of disagreement, and the issue is considered settled.

If only all differences of opinion were that simple to solve, life would be much simpler.

Unfortunately, some differences, particularly those involving race and religion, are not that straightforward. Race and religion have become very much part of our personal and national identity – due in part to excessive politicking on both intertwined topics over the past 15 years – and have become highly charged and emotive issues.

The reality, however, is that a topic only becomes a problem when we choose to look at it that way.

For years now, LGBT folk, particularly transgender people (who have been the focus since a minister agreed to meet Nisha Ayub, an activist whose photo was removed from the George Town Festival), have lived and worked among us with little to no issue.

Often, when there is an aggrieved party, it is usually the transgender person – from being molested and raped, abused, subjected to dehumanising humiliation in the hands of enforcement officers, the public and so on.

Sadly, the meeting, a positive step forward for Malaysia in embracing all her citizens, turned into controversy, with the government being accused of everything from being insensitive to the “majority” to turning its back on religion.

On closer inspection, what has actually changed? What is the LGBT community actually demanding?

Equal rights to marriage? Civil unions or partnerships? The right to cohabitate?

No; for the most part, they just want to be left alone, a request that does not seem too much by any standard.

For the longest time, this has not been a topic in Malaysia and for good reason – there never was need for it to be a topic. The LGBT community weren’t out to “convert” people, or promote any agenda to paint Kuala Lumpur pink and hang decorative condoms from every City Hall tree.

People, just let people be. The transgender community has been in Malaysia since before Merdeka, and suddenly, which toilet they use is an issue?

The transgender and LGBT community is not the only non-issue-turned-issue recently. The new administration, while still a bit wet behind the ears when it comes to handling touchy topics, appears to be more open and accommodating compared with the last.

However, not all issues are even issues to begin with. For example, merging Father’s Day and Mother’s Day into Parents’ Day is not really a pressing requirement. Neither should they regress or back down at the first sign of trouble.

There is quite a lot of truth in the saying, “when you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression”. Not all challenges to the status quo are meant to disrupt society, but to allow more space for it to grow, and for us to coexist harmoniously.

Malaysians are sensitive. For some issues to be discussed maturely, these issues first need to be desensitised.

While some quarters are reeling from election losses – civil society groups cut off from their sources of near-limitless funds, individuals denied their customary access to the corridors of power, and the civil service rife with influential and dissatisfied members who had drawn their power from their ability to draw from two abovementioned – these issues need to be handled delicately but firmly.

Bearing in mind that some differences are just polarities to be managed and not solved. – August 15, 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.