FACTORS that lead more people to become involved in the LGBT (lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender) lifestyle include past experience, social media exposure and upbringing, Mohd Izwan Yusof from the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) said.

The department’s family, social and community development senior assistant director said the rise in LGBT numbers may be due to exposure to social media.

“Youths have more access to the internet today. They can access LGBT-related mobile apps and materials like videos that they should not be watching.

“This is why parents need to monitor their kids closely at home,” he said at a seminar on LGBT in Penang today.

Izwan also said LGBTs did not flaunt their lifestyles in the past, but with access to the internet and social media platforms, many have come out openly about their lifestyles.

“They are more daring (now). They dare to confess, take photos with their partners and post on social media sites.”

Izwan said one’s upbringing, such as growing up without a father, lacking love and being overprotected can lead to LGBT lifestyles.

“An overly strict father may forbid his daughter from befriending boys from their neighbourhood. But these days, parents should worry more if their children don’t go out and prefer to stay in their rooms.

“This is the internet era after all. Youths are exposed to many things online.

“If parents don’t allow their kids to interact with others of the opposite sex, the children can also experience culture shock.”

Izwan said he once interviewed a lesbian, who told him how she rarely interacted with boys or men.

“Her friend was a girl. They became very close and in the end, they became a couple,” he said.

Other factors, Izwan said, include traumatic experiences like being raped, sodomised or forced to perform oral sex; and being subjected to bullying and ridicule.

Izwan said parents must never allow their small children, namely those aged three or four, to go to the toilet alone because nobody can predict where sexual predators are lurking.

“If they are harmed, the implications are huge. They will carry it to adulthood.”

He also cautioned against teasing people, such as boys or men who are gentler (lembut).

“People often like to tease them and even call them names like ‘sotong’. They may not have tendencies to become ‘mak nyah’ (transgendered) at the beginning but the prolonged bullying may lead to that.”

Izwan also said mingling with the LGBT community and addiction to pornography is also another factor.

“Those who are addicted to porn will eventually explore and start watching same-sex porn as well.”

Izwan said Jakim disagrees with the LGBT lifestyle, as Islam does not legitimise acts of homosexuality.

However, the human rights of members of the community are also not to be denied.

“We hate the sin, not the sinners. We can guide and advise them so they can return to the right path,” he said, adding that Jakim conducts a number of voluntary programmes to help the community. – October 29, 2018.