IN most modern political debates, arguments require sincere engagement and unadulterated empathy. However, political leaders as well as activists use public shaming as a way to sanction their will upon us and especially those from various minority groups, in particular, the LGBT community.

While this technique may churn out the desired results in the short term, it is usually negative and indicates yet another deterioration of Malaysia’s already fragile social fabric.

According to United Nations reports, violence against LGBT communities are most widespread and in countries like Malaysia, LGBT rights are simply not recognised. Sodomy is a criminal offence in this country – interestingly, a remnant under a British Empire colonial era law. 

In addition to that, Human Rights Watch states that “discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is pervasive in Malaysia” as social attitudes are shaped by religion – both Islam and Christianity and our political leaders’ apathetic position towards the LGBT communities.

The latest example of this kind of politics by punishment is the setting up of a new research academy in Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (Usim) that is dedicated to the study of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. According to Infad director Irwan Mohd Subri this research will wholeheartedly find ways to “bring them back to the right path”.  The LGBT research academy was first mooted last year following what was perceived as the community’s increasing presence in public life. Surely, there are better and more effective ways to address this issue?

The discrimination, social isolation, health disparities and economic fragility that the LGBT community faces need to be addressed diligently. Transgender individuals have often been arrested by police officers under the civil laws governing “public indecency”, and for Muslims, they will be further charged by religious officers under Sharia Laws for “impersonating” women.

Human Rights Watch also reported that the prohibition of cross-dressing makes transgender people more susceptible to ‘arbitrary arrest, physical and sexual assault, imprisonment, discriminatory denial of health care and employment, and other abuses.’ There is also a social stigma where many assume transgendered people are closely linked or in some cases, thought to be responsible for the spreading of the HIV virus – as most are unable to secure legal jobs, many are forced to earn their living as sex workers.

This kind of discrimination, harassment and violence are often justified in the name of “culture” but prejudice is prejudice; inhumanity is inhumanity and bigotry is an evil that we should get rid of. This offensive argument totally disregards the fundamental truth that LGBT rights are also human rights, no matter how uncomfortable some of us may feel. Therefore, the use of religion or culture to allow discrimination and demonise LGBT individuals should stop immediately.

Fact of the matter is, everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and respect – no matter what their sexual orientation is. Just like every other political debate, topics focusing on the LGBT community should be met with the same approach – political debates and constructive opinions should take the centre stage. Instead of vilifying, we should attempt to understand the psychological aspect of this, instead of punishing them, we should reason and comment logically to avoid unnecessary hateful exploits by those who are unable to accept diversity.

Any person of conscience, irrespective of their religious or political beliefs, should be able to agree that violence against any person and in any form is simply intolerable. But just like everything else in this country – topics of race, religion and sexual orientation are often deemed too sensitive for discussions.

Progress will take time but progress can happen when individuals stand up and speak out against social injustice and bigotry. Finding sound solutions through dialogue is not easy, but it is what we should be doing in Malaysia. Hate and equality do not mix and this is something our country and its people, need to fully understand. – February 3, 2018.

* Syerleena is a councillor at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). She is a Malaysian who believes that our life experiences shape us into fascinating beings.

* 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.