🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 131 (from laksa037)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa131.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://wao.org.my/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope/\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://wao.org.my/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope/\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/wao.org.my\/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope\/","crawl_time":1776006898,"first_indexed_time":1542180793,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"my,org,wao!\/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope\/ s443","src_root_hash":"7440708791170822731","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"Seksualiti Merdeka: Receiving Death Threats for Giving Hope - Women's Aid Organisation","meta_descriptions":["It Gets Better in Malaysia is a video project about giving hope to young LGBT Malaysians: even though things can be rough during the teenage years, it can get better. This message is targeted at the minority of young Malaysians who are growing up as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT)."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"RECEIVING DEATH THREATS FOR GIVING HOPE\nWhat Is “It Gets Better In Malaysia”?\nIt Gets Better in Malaysia is a video project about giving hope to young LGBT Malaysians: even though things can be rough during the teenage years, it can get better. This message is targeted at the minority of young Malaysians who are growing up as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT).\nThis project is in response to accounts of suicides and attempted suicides by LGBT teenagers and adults. Statistics of such suicides are anywhere between three to six times higher than by heterosexuals. This is due to the overwhelming feelings of loneliness, fear or hopelessness that result from the stigma and discrimination against them. Most people have their families to turn to. For LGBT youths, even their own families can be a source of rejection. They have no one to turn to. We decided it is up to us who have survived similar situations to reach out to young LGBTs. This is why the project was born. It’s not about making coming out videos. It is about giving hope to youths at risk.\nSeksualiti Merdeka, the organiser of an annual human rights festival on sexuality, especially the human rights of LGBT, took on this empowering project in belief of the message’s importance and relevance to Malaysia. The festival is organised by a coalition of groups and inviduals including the Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, among others.\nDEATH THREATS AGAINST HOPE GIVERS\nTo date, our video project has seen 15 contributions, four of which are online. The first is by singer \nPeter Ong\n on 9 Dec 2010, followed by engineer-writer \nAzwan Ismail\n on 15 Dec, university student \nKavidha\n on 17 Dec, and Pastor \nJoe Pang\n on 20 Dec.\nWithin five days, Azwan Ismail’s video – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – reached over 150,000 views and 3,400 comments, many of which are against him: commentators have urged him to repent and return to the right path (heterosexuality). However, most of these comments are vicious, rude and uncalled for, and some have even threatened violence and murder towards Azwan and Seksualiti Merdeka members.\nWe find it irresponsible of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom to ask JAKIM to monitor the activities of gay groups, while failing to ask JAKIM to criminalise those who post abusive and vulgar comments which threaten Malaysian citizens with violence and death.\nThe honorable minister’s primary concern is the image of Islam being tarnished. However, we feel that Islam’s image can also be tarnished by those who speak with hate and intolerance, completely without a trace of humanity.\nWe never intended to tarnish the image of Islam. We simply wanted to give hope.\nWe hope our leaders will not ignore threats of physical violence. Besides preventing meaningful discourse and debate, these threats also further intimidate fellow Malaysians who are already fearful for their well-being.\nAVENUES TO EXPRESS OURSELVES\nWe believe in respectful exchange of perspectives in Malaysia if we are truly a nation that celebrates diversity, dynamism, and creativity. If LGBT Malaysians are given avenues to express ourselves, we are certain the public will be more understanding and realise we are not a threat to society.\nWe advocate the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance for our emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. This promotes awareness and acceptance of others, and responsibility to ourselves and to others.\nSexual orientation and gender identity are identity issues. LGBTs do seek and fall in love just as heterosexuals do. There are already so many gay Malaysians working in all sectors of society from engineers to lawyers to CEOs.\nHomosexuality is not a foreign concept, writer \nAmir Muhammad\n says in support of Azwan’s video. “Some people,” he explains, “aren’t appalled by the fact of Azwan Ismail’s sexuality. What they are affronted by is that he’s a person who’s giving his own name, and being completely honest about what he wants to say.”\nThe intolerant and vicious comments prove that Malaysia is a hostile environment preventing any LGBTs from leading honest, open and meaningful lives. This vicious cycle of shame and intimidation needs to be broken once and for all. The pressure in having to pretend to be something we are not and the loneliness and fear that comes with it often results in a misery that may push some to the verge of suicide.\nAnd that is why, more than ever, we need messages of hope such as that by Azwan Ismail:\n“I am confident that things will be better. We have to gather our strengths from around us because there people who can help us and give us the confidence to be ourselves, to face our future…”\nWe need each other – not just other LGBTs, but all Malaysians. Please stop targeting and marginalising LGBT Malaysians. Give us a chance to tell our stories of hope.\nRECOMMENDATIONS\nWe believe Malaysian leaders, the media and the public should:\nEnsure the non-discrimination of all Malaysians based on sexual orientation and gender identity.\nCondemn threats of violence and murder in the name of any religion\nEstablish non-judgemental, constructive and positive spaces and enable opportunities for LGBTs in Malaysia to express themselves and to promote better understanding on issues based on sexual orientation and gender identity.\nAssure protection to participants of the “It Gets Better in Malaysia” project for helping to spread hope to our LGBT youths\nMENERIMA UGUTAN BUNUH BILA MEMBERI HARAPAN\nAPAKAH “IT GETS BETTER IN MALAYSIA?”\nIt Gets Better in Malaysia adalah projek video yang merakamkan mesej harapan untuk golongan muda LGBT Malaysia: walaupun situasi mungkin amat sukar di zaman remaja, namun keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik — ‘It gets better’. Mesej-mesej ini adalah untuk sebahagian kecil remaja Malaysia yang lesbian, gay, biseksual, transeksual (LGBT).\nProjek ini adalah tindak balas kepada kisah-kisah benar mengenai remaja dan dewasa LGBT yang bunuh diri atau cuba bunuh diri. Statistik menunjukkan bahawa frekuensi dan kemungkinan berlakunya kes bunuh diri remaja LGBT adalah antara tiga hingga enam kali lebih tinggi berbanding golongan heteroseksual. Ini adalah akibat perasaan kesepian, ketakutan, atau putus asa yang disebab oleh stigma dan diskriminasi terhadap mereka. Kebanyakan orang boleh mengadu kepada keluarga, tapi ramai remaja LGBT dipulau oleh keluarga mereka sendiri. Mereka tidak boleh mengadu kepada sesiapa. Kami memutuskan untuk memberi semangat kepada mereka kerana kami dapat mendalami perasaan yang sama. Inilah sebabnya projek ini dimulakan. Ia bukan projek membuat video ‘pengakuan gay’. Sebaliknya ia untuk memberi harapan kepada orang muda yang mungkin tiada harapan untuk hidup.\nSeksualiti Merdeka, penganjur acara tahunan hak asasi manusia mengenai seksualiti, terutamanya hak asasi golongan LGBT, memperjuangkan projek ini berlandaskan kepentingannya untuk Malaysia. Penganjur pesta ini terdiri daripada gabungan beberapa kumpulan-kumpulan dan individu-individu, termasuk Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, dan lain-lain.\nUGUTAN MEMBUNUH PEMBERI HARAPAN\nSetakat ini, projek video ini telah menerima 15 sumbangan, empat diantaranya yang telah disiarkan di Internet. Video pertama adalah dari penanyi Peter Ong pada 9 Disember 2010, diikuti oleh jurutera-penulis Azwan Ismail pada 15 Disember, seorang mahasiswi Kavidha pada 17 Disember, dan seorang paderi Joe Pang pada 20 Disember.\nDalam tempoh 5 hari, video Azwan Ismail yang bertajuk – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – mendapat lebih daripada 150,000 hits dan 3,400 komen, kebanyakan yang menentang beliau. Ramai komentator menggesanya untuk bertaubat dan kembali ke pangkal jalan (heteroseksual). Namun begitu, kebanyakan komen bersifat kejam, kasar, dan biadab, termasuklah ancaman keselamatan beliau serta ugutan bunuh.\nMenteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom bertindak secara tidak bertanggungjawab sebab beliau meminta JAKIM untuk memantau kegiatan kumpulan homoseksual tanpa meminta JAKIM untuk memantau mereka yang memberi komen yang kasar dan kesat, serta mengancam keselamatan dan nyawa rakyat negara Malaysia.\nTampaknya bahawa prioriti menteri terhormat adalah risiko menjejaskan imej agama Islam. Tetapi pada pandangan kami, imej Islam juga boleh dircalar oleh penganut-penganut yang bersuara tanpa toleransi dan penuh kebencian, serta langsung tiada sifat perikemanusiaan.\nKami tidak berniat untuk menjejaskan imej Islam. Kami hanya ingin memberi harapan.\nKami berharap para pemimpin kita tidak akan mengabaikan ancaman keganasan fizikal. Perlakuan sedemikian tidak bermanfaat kepada sesiapa dan menghalang diskusi yang bermakna sambil mengugut golongan rakyat Malaysia yang sudahpun tersisih dan hidup dalam ketakutan.\nRUANG UNTUK BERSUARA\nKami percaya yang rakyat Malaysia mampu meraikan kepelbagaian, dinamisme dan kreativiti dan juga saling bertukar pelbagai perspektif dengan hormat. Jika golongan LGBT di Malaysia diberi ruang untuk bersuara, kami yakin orang ramai saling memahami dan sedar kami bukan ancaman kepada masyarakat.\nKami ingin mengutarakan pentingnya kesejahteraan emosi, psikologi dan kerohanian diri dengan menekan aspek kesedaran diri dan penerimaan diri sendiri bagi setiap insan. Sifat ini memupuk kesedaran dan penerimaan akan orang lain, serta memupuk sifat bertanggungjawab diri sendiri setiap insan kepada diri sendiri dan juga orang lain.\nOrientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender adalah isu identiti. Golongan LGBT mencari dan jatuh cinta seperti golongan heteroseksual. Adalah kenyataan yang ramai rakyat Malaysia homoseksual yang berada di khalayak ramai dalam semua lapisan masyarakat, dari jurutera ke peguam ke CEOs.\nHomoseksualiti bukan suatu konsep asing, kata penulis Amir Muhammad yang memberi sokongan kepada video Azwan dalam blognya. “Beberapa orang,” dia menjelaskan, “tidak terkejut oleh kenyataan seksualiti Azwan Ismail. Apa yang buat mereka rasa terhina adalah bahawa dia memberi namanya yang sebenar, dan benar-benar jujur tentang apa yang ingin dikatakannya. “\nKomen-komen yang kejam dan tidak berperikemanusiaan membuktikan bahawa Malaysia adalah tempat yang amat menekan bagi golongan LGBT yang ingin hidup secara jujur, terbuka dan bermakna. Lingkaran rasa malu dan ugutan ini harus dihentikan. Paksaan untuk berpura-pura sebagai heteroseksual akan mengakibatkan tekanan yang bertambah dengan kesepian dan ketakutan. Kesengsaraan ini boleh mendorong sesiapa sahaja untuk mengakhirkan nyawa sendiri.\nSebab itu, mesej yang memberi harapan seperti yang dilafazkan Azwan Ismail diperlukan lebih-lebih lagi: “Saya yakin keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik. Kita cuma perlu mencari sumber-sumber kekuatan di sekeliling kita kerana terdapat mereka yang dapat membantu kita dan akhirnya dapat memberikan keyakinan kepada diri kita untuk menempuhi hari-hari yang akan datang…”\nKami saling memerlukan di antara satu sama lain – bukan hanya LGBT, tetapi semua rakyat Malaysia. Tolong hentikan menyisihan dan pengniayaan rakyat LGBT Malaysia. Berilah kami peluang untuk berkongsi harapan.\nKAMI MENGESYORKAN\nKami mengesyorkan para pemimpin, media dan masyarakat Malaysia supaya:\nMenjamin semua rakyat Malaysia tidak menghadapi diskriminasi atas dasar identiti jantina dan orientasi seksual\nMenolak sekeras-kerasnya ancaman keganasan dan ugutan nyawa atas nama agama\nMengadakan ruang-ruang yang tidak menghakimi, yang membina dan positif, dan memberi peluang untuk golongan LGBT di Malaysia untuk mengekspresikan diri mereka dan untuk mempromosikan pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang isu-isu berdasarkan orientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender.\nMenjamin keselamatan peserta “It Gets Better in Malaysia” supaya mesej harapan kepada remaja dapat disebarkan kepada mereka yang putus asa\nSeksualiti Merdeka\nwww.seksualitimerdeka.org\nseksualitimerdeka@gmail.com\n22 December 2010","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/wao.org.my\/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope\/#content)\n\n[![Women's Aid Organisation](https:\/\/wao.org.my\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/wao-logo-red-png-compressed-v3-3.png)](https:\/\/wao.org.my\/)\n\n- [About](https:\/\/wao.org.my\/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope\/)\n  - 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This message is targeted at the minority of young Malaysians who are growing up as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT).\n\nThis project is in response to accounts of suicides and attempted suicides by LGBT teenagers and adults. Statistics of such suicides are anywhere between three to six times higher than by heterosexuals. This is due to the overwhelming feelings of loneliness, fear or hopelessness that result from the stigma and discrimination against them. Most people have their families to turn to. For LGBT youths, even their own families can be a source of rejection. They have no one to turn to. We decided it is up to us who have survived similar situations to reach out to young LGBTs. This is why the project was born. It’s not about making coming out videos. It is about giving hope to youths at risk.\n\nSeksualiti Merdeka, the organiser of an annual human rights festival on sexuality, especially the human rights of LGBT, took on this empowering project in belief of the message’s importance and relevance to Malaysia. The festival is organised by a coalition of groups and inviduals including the Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, among others.\n\n**DEATH THREATS AGAINST HOPE GIVERS**\n\nTo date, our video project has seen 15 contributions, four of which are online. The first is by singer [Peter Ong](http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3EcTQpbFF4w&feature=related) on 9 Dec 2010, followed by engineer-writer [Azwan Ismail](http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SJLSteQIcms&feature=related) on 15 Dec, university student [Kavidha](http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Om_BERG9puk&feature=related) on 17 Dec, and Pastor [Joe Pang](http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qxQIjntpGe4&feature=related) on 20 Dec.\n\nWithin five days, Azwan Ismail’s video – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – reached over 150,000 views and 3,400 comments, many of which are against him: commentators have urged him to repent and return to the right path (heterosexuality). However, most of these comments are vicious, rude and uncalled for, and some have even threatened violence and murder towards Azwan and Seksualiti Merdeka members.\n\nWe find it irresponsible of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom to ask JAKIM to monitor the activities of gay groups, while failing to ask JAKIM to criminalise those who post abusive and vulgar comments which threaten Malaysian citizens with violence and death.\n\nThe honorable minister’s primary concern is the image of Islam being tarnished. However, we feel that Islam’s image can also be tarnished by those who speak with hate and intolerance, completely without a trace of humanity.\n\nWe never intended to tarnish the image of Islam. We simply wanted to give hope.\n\nWe hope our leaders will not ignore threats of physical violence. Besides preventing meaningful discourse and debate, these threats also further intimidate fellow Malaysians who are already fearful for their well-being.\n\n**AVENUES TO EXPRESS OURSELVES**\n\nWe believe in respectful exchange of perspectives in Malaysia if we are truly a nation that celebrates diversity, dynamism, and creativity. If LGBT Malaysians are given avenues to express ourselves, we are certain the public will be more understanding and realise we are not a threat to society.\n\nWe advocate the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance for our emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. This promotes awareness and acceptance of others, and responsibility to ourselves and to others.\n\nSexual orientation and gender identity are identity issues. LGBTs do seek and fall in love just as heterosexuals do. There are already so many gay Malaysians working in all sectors of society from engineers to lawyers to CEOs.\n\nHomosexuality is not a foreign concept, writer [Amir Muhammad](http:\/\/amirmu.blogspot.com\/2010\/12\/who-is-azwan-ismail-and-why-are-some.html) says in support of Azwan’s video. “Some people,” he explains, “aren’t appalled by the fact of Azwan Ismail’s sexuality. What they are affronted by is that he’s a person who’s giving his own name, and being completely honest about what he wants to say.”\n\nThe intolerant and vicious comments prove that Malaysia is a hostile environment preventing any LGBTs from leading honest, open and meaningful lives. This vicious cycle of shame and intimidation needs to be broken once and for all. The pressure in having to pretend to be something we are not and the loneliness and fear that comes with it often results in a misery that may push some to the verge of suicide.\n\nAnd that is why, more than ever, we need messages of hope such as that by Azwan Ismail:\n\n“I am confident that things will be better. We have to gather our strengths from around us because there people who can help us and give us the confidence to be ourselves, to face our future…”\n\nWe need each other – not just other LGBTs, but all Malaysians. Please stop targeting and marginalising LGBT Malaysians. Give us a chance to tell our stories of hope.\n\n**RECOMMENDATIONS**\n\nWe believe Malaysian leaders, the media and the public should:\n\n1. Ensure the non-discrimination of all Malaysians based on sexual orientation and gender identity.\n2. Condemn threats of violence and murder in the name of any religion\n3. Establish non-judgemental, constructive and positive spaces and enable opportunities for LGBTs in Malaysia to express themselves and to promote better understanding on issues based on sexual orientation and gender identity.\n4. Assure protection to participants of the “It Gets Better in Malaysia” project for helping to spread hope to our LGBT youths\n\n**MENERIMA UGUTAN BUNUH BILA MEMBERI HARAPAN**\n\n**APAKAH “IT GETS BETTER IN MALAYSIA?”**\n\nIt Gets Better in Malaysia adalah projek video yang merakamkan mesej harapan untuk golongan muda LGBT Malaysia: walaupun situasi mungkin amat sukar di zaman remaja, namun keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik — ‘It gets better’. Mesej-mesej ini adalah untuk sebahagian kecil remaja Malaysia yang lesbian, gay, biseksual, transeksual (LGBT).\n\nProjek ini adalah tindak balas kepada kisah-kisah benar mengenai remaja dan dewasa LGBT yang bunuh diri atau cuba bunuh diri. Statistik menunjukkan bahawa frekuensi dan kemungkinan berlakunya kes bunuh diri remaja LGBT adalah antara tiga hingga enam kali lebih tinggi berbanding golongan heteroseksual. Ini adalah akibat perasaan kesepian, ketakutan, atau putus asa yang disebab oleh stigma dan diskriminasi terhadap mereka. Kebanyakan orang boleh mengadu kepada keluarga, tapi ramai remaja LGBT dipulau oleh keluarga mereka sendiri. Mereka tidak boleh mengadu kepada sesiapa. Kami memutuskan untuk memberi semangat kepada mereka kerana kami dapat mendalami perasaan yang sama. Inilah sebabnya projek ini dimulakan. Ia bukan projek membuat video ‘pengakuan gay’. Sebaliknya ia untuk memberi harapan kepada orang muda yang mungkin tiada harapan untuk hidup.\n\nSeksualiti Merdeka, penganjur acara tahunan hak asasi manusia mengenai seksualiti, terutamanya hak asasi golongan LGBT, memperjuangkan projek ini berlandaskan kepentingannya untuk Malaysia. Penganjur pesta ini terdiri daripada gabungan beberapa kumpulan-kumpulan dan individu-individu, termasuk Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, dan lain-lain.\n\n**UGUTAN MEMBUNUH PEMBERI HARAPAN**\n\nSetakat ini, projek video ini telah menerima 15 sumbangan, empat diantaranya yang telah disiarkan di Internet. Video pertama adalah dari penanyi Peter Ong pada 9 Disember 2010, diikuti oleh jurutera-penulis Azwan Ismail pada 15 Disember, seorang mahasiswi Kavidha pada 17 Disember, dan seorang paderi Joe Pang pada 20 Disember.\n\nDalam tempoh 5 hari, video Azwan Ismail yang bertajuk – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – mendapat lebih daripada 150,000 hits dan 3,400 komen, kebanyakan yang menentang beliau. Ramai komentator menggesanya untuk bertaubat dan kembali ke pangkal jalan (heteroseksual). Namun begitu, kebanyakan komen bersifat kejam, kasar, dan biadab, termasuklah ancaman keselamatan beliau serta ugutan bunuh.\n\nMenteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom bertindak secara tidak bertanggungjawab sebab beliau meminta JAKIM untuk memantau kegiatan kumpulan homoseksual tanpa meminta JAKIM untuk memantau mereka yang memberi komen yang kasar dan kesat, serta mengancam keselamatan dan nyawa rakyat negara Malaysia.\n\nTampaknya bahawa prioriti menteri terhormat adalah risiko menjejaskan imej agama Islam. Tetapi pada pandangan kami, imej Islam juga boleh dircalar oleh penganut-penganut yang bersuara tanpa toleransi dan penuh kebencian, serta langsung tiada sifat perikemanusiaan.\n\nKami tidak berniat untuk menjejaskan imej Islam. Kami hanya ingin memberi harapan.\n\nKami berharap para pemimpin kita tidak akan mengabaikan ancaman keganasan fizikal. Perlakuan sedemikian tidak bermanfaat kepada sesiapa dan menghalang diskusi yang bermakna sambil mengugut golongan rakyat Malaysia yang sudahpun tersisih dan hidup dalam ketakutan.\n\n**RUANG UNTUK BERSUARA**\n\nKami percaya yang rakyat Malaysia mampu meraikan kepelbagaian, dinamisme dan kreativiti dan juga saling bertukar pelbagai perspektif dengan hormat. Jika golongan LGBT di Malaysia diberi ruang untuk bersuara, kami yakin orang ramai saling memahami dan sedar kami bukan ancaman kepada masyarakat.\n\nKami ingin mengutarakan pentingnya kesejahteraan emosi, psikologi dan kerohanian diri dengan menekan aspek kesedaran diri dan penerimaan diri sendiri bagi setiap insan. Sifat ini memupuk kesedaran dan penerimaan akan orang lain, serta memupuk sifat bertanggungjawab diri sendiri setiap insan kepada diri sendiri dan juga orang lain.\n\nOrientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender adalah isu identiti. Golongan LGBT mencari dan jatuh cinta seperti golongan heteroseksual. Adalah kenyataan yang ramai rakyat Malaysia homoseksual yang berada di khalayak ramai dalam semua lapisan masyarakat, dari jurutera ke peguam ke CEOs.\n\nHomoseksualiti bukan suatu konsep asing, kata penulis Amir Muhammad yang memberi sokongan kepada video Azwan dalam blognya. “Beberapa orang,” dia menjelaskan, “tidak terkejut oleh kenyataan seksualiti Azwan Ismail. Apa yang buat mereka rasa terhina adalah bahawa dia memberi namanya yang sebenar, dan benar-benar jujur tentang apa yang ingin dikatakannya. “\n\nKomen-komen yang kejam dan tidak berperikemanusiaan membuktikan bahawa Malaysia adalah tempat yang amat menekan bagi golongan LGBT yang ingin hidup secara jujur, terbuka dan bermakna. Lingkaran rasa malu dan ugutan ini harus dihentikan. Paksaan untuk berpura-pura sebagai heteroseksual akan mengakibatkan tekanan yang bertambah dengan kesepian dan ketakutan. Kesengsaraan ini boleh mendorong sesiapa sahaja untuk mengakhirkan nyawa sendiri.\n\nSebab itu, mesej yang memberi harapan seperti yang dilafazkan Azwan Ismail diperlukan lebih-lebih lagi: “Saya yakin keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik. Kita cuma perlu mencari sumber-sumber kekuatan di sekeliling kita kerana terdapat mereka yang dapat membantu kita dan akhirnya dapat memberikan keyakinan kepada diri kita untuk menempuhi hari-hari yang akan datang…”\n\nKami saling memerlukan di antara satu sama lain – bukan hanya LGBT, tetapi semua rakyat Malaysia. Tolong hentikan menyisihan dan pengniayaan rakyat LGBT Malaysia. Berilah kami peluang untuk berkongsi harapan.\n\nKAMI MENGESYORKAN\n\nKami mengesyorkan para pemimpin, media dan masyarakat Malaysia supaya:\n\n1. Menjamin semua rakyat Malaysia tidak menghadapi diskriminasi atas dasar identiti jantina dan orientasi seksual\n2. Menolak sekeras-kerasnya ancaman keganasan dan ugutan nyawa atas nama agama\n3. Mengadakan ruang-ruang yang tidak menghakimi, yang membina dan positif, dan memberi peluang untuk golongan LGBT di Malaysia untuk mengekspresikan diri mereka dan untuk mempromosikan pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang isu-isu berdasarkan orientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender.\n4. Menjamin keselamatan peserta “It Gets Better in Malaysia” supaya mesej harapan kepada remaja dapat disebarkan kepada mereka yang putus asa\n\n**Seksualiti Merdeka**  \n [www.seksualitimerdeka.org](http:\/\/www.seksualitimerdeka.org\/)  \n seksualitimerdeka@gmail.com  \n 22 December 2010\n\n### Share This\n- [Twitter](https:\/\/wao.org.my\/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope\/)\n- [Facebook](https:\/\/wao.org.my\/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope\/)\n- [Pinterest](https:\/\/wao.org.my\/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope\/)\n- [LinkedIn](https:\/\/wao.org.my\/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope\/)\n\n### Related Posts\n[Kenyataan Media JAG- Isu “Suka Sama Suka”](https:\/\/wao.org.my\/kenyataan-media-jag-isu-suka-sama-suka\/)\n\nKenyataan Media — Untuk Siaran Segera Kuala Lumpur, 23 September 2025 Joint Action Group for…\n\n[Urgent International Mobilisation for Palestinian Women and Girls in 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[แทงบอลโลก](https:\/\/bk8thepl.uk.com\/%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5)\n\n[bk8](https:\/\/bk8thai-official.net\/) [bk8](https:\/\/bk8thvip.online\/) [bk8](https:\/\/bk8th.io\/) [แทงบอลโลก](https:\/\/bk8thepl.uk.com\/%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%97%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A5)","attrs_readable_markdown":"**RECEIVING DEATH THREATS FOR GIVING HOPE**\n\n**What Is “It Gets Better In Malaysia”?**\n\nIt Gets Better in Malaysia is a video project about giving hope to young LGBT Malaysians: even though things can be rough during the teenage years, it can get better. This message is targeted at the minority of young Malaysians who are growing up as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT).\n\nThis project is in response to accounts of suicides and attempted suicides by LGBT teenagers and adults. Statistics of such suicides are anywhere between three to six times higher than by heterosexuals. This is due to the overwhelming feelings of loneliness, fear or hopelessness that result from the stigma and discrimination against them. Most people have their families to turn to. For LGBT youths, even their own families can be a source of rejection. They have no one to turn to. We decided it is up to us who have survived similar situations to reach out to young LGBTs. This is why the project was born. It’s not about making coming out videos. It is about giving hope to youths at risk.\n\nSeksualiti Merdeka, the organiser of an annual human rights festival on sexuality, especially the human rights of LGBT, took on this empowering project in belief of the message’s importance and relevance to Malaysia. The festival is organised by a coalition of groups and inviduals including the Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, among others.\n\n**DEATH THREATS AGAINST HOPE GIVERS**\n\nTo date, our video project has seen 15 contributions, four of which are online. The first is by singer [Peter Ong](http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=3EcTQpbFF4w&feature=related) on 9 Dec 2010, followed by engineer-writer [Azwan Ismail](http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=SJLSteQIcms&feature=related) on 15 Dec, university student [Kavidha](http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Om_BERG9puk&feature=related) on 17 Dec, and Pastor [Joe Pang](http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qxQIjntpGe4&feature=related) on 20 Dec.\n\nWithin five days, Azwan Ismail’s video – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – reached over 150,000 views and 3,400 comments, many of which are against him: commentators have urged him to repent and return to the right path (heterosexuality). However, most of these comments are vicious, rude and uncalled for, and some have even threatened violence and murder towards Azwan and Seksualiti Merdeka members.\n\nWe find it irresponsible of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom to ask JAKIM to monitor the activities of gay groups, while failing to ask JAKIM to criminalise those who post abusive and vulgar comments which threaten Malaysian citizens with violence and death.\n\nThe honorable minister’s primary concern is the image of Islam being tarnished. However, we feel that Islam’s image can also be tarnished by those who speak with hate and intolerance, completely without a trace of humanity.\n\nWe never intended to tarnish the image of Islam. We simply wanted to give hope.\n\nWe hope our leaders will not ignore threats of physical violence. Besides preventing meaningful discourse and debate, these threats also further intimidate fellow Malaysians who are already fearful for their well-being.\n\n**AVENUES TO EXPRESS OURSELVES**\n\nWe believe in respectful exchange of perspectives in Malaysia if we are truly a nation that celebrates diversity, dynamism, and creativity. If LGBT Malaysians are given avenues to express ourselves, we are certain the public will be more understanding and realise we are not a threat to society.\n\nWe advocate the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance for our emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. This promotes awareness and acceptance of others, and responsibility to ourselves and to others.\n\nSexual orientation and gender identity are identity issues. LGBTs do seek and fall in love just as heterosexuals do. There are already so many gay Malaysians working in all sectors of society from engineers to lawyers to CEOs.\n\nHomosexuality is not a foreign concept, writer [Amir Muhammad](http:\/\/amirmu.blogspot.com\/2010\/12\/who-is-azwan-ismail-and-why-are-some.html) says in support of Azwan’s video. “Some people,” he explains, “aren’t appalled by the fact of Azwan Ismail’s sexuality. What they are affronted by is that he’s a person who’s giving his own name, and being completely honest about what he wants to say.”\n\nThe intolerant and vicious comments prove that Malaysia is a hostile environment preventing any LGBTs from leading honest, open and meaningful lives. This vicious cycle of shame and intimidation needs to be broken once and for all. The pressure in having to pretend to be something we are not and the loneliness and fear that comes with it often results in a misery that may push some to the verge of suicide.\n\nAnd that is why, more than ever, we need messages of hope such as that by Azwan Ismail:\n\n“I am confident that things will be better. We have to gather our strengths from around us because there people who can help us and give us the confidence to be ourselves, to face our future…”\n\nWe need each other – not just other LGBTs, but all Malaysians. Please stop targeting and marginalising LGBT Malaysians. Give us a chance to tell our stories of hope.\n\n**RECOMMENDATIONS**\n\nWe believe Malaysian leaders, the media and the public should:\n\n1. Ensure the non-discrimination of all Malaysians based on sexual orientation and gender identity.\n2. Condemn threats of violence and murder in the name of any religion\n3. Establish non-judgemental, constructive and positive spaces and enable opportunities for LGBTs in Malaysia to express themselves and to promote better understanding on issues based on sexual orientation and gender identity.\n4. Assure protection to participants of the “It Gets Better in Malaysia” project for helping to spread hope to our LGBT youths\n\n**MENERIMA UGUTAN BUNUH BILA MEMBERI HARAPAN**\n\n**APAKAH “IT GETS BETTER IN MALAYSIA?”**\n\nIt Gets Better in Malaysia adalah projek video yang merakamkan mesej harapan untuk golongan muda LGBT Malaysia: walaupun situasi mungkin amat sukar di zaman remaja, namun keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik — ‘It gets better’. Mesej-mesej ini adalah untuk sebahagian kecil remaja Malaysia yang lesbian, gay, biseksual, transeksual (LGBT).\n\nProjek ini adalah tindak balas kepada kisah-kisah benar mengenai remaja dan dewasa LGBT yang bunuh diri atau cuba bunuh diri. Statistik menunjukkan bahawa frekuensi dan kemungkinan berlakunya kes bunuh diri remaja LGBT adalah antara tiga hingga enam kali lebih tinggi berbanding golongan heteroseksual. Ini adalah akibat perasaan kesepian, ketakutan, atau putus asa yang disebab oleh stigma dan diskriminasi terhadap mereka. Kebanyakan orang boleh mengadu kepada keluarga, tapi ramai remaja LGBT dipulau oleh keluarga mereka sendiri. Mereka tidak boleh mengadu kepada sesiapa. Kami memutuskan untuk memberi semangat kepada mereka kerana kami dapat mendalami perasaan yang sama. Inilah sebabnya projek ini dimulakan. Ia bukan projek membuat video ‘pengakuan gay’. Sebaliknya ia untuk memberi harapan kepada orang muda yang mungkin tiada harapan untuk hidup.\n\nSeksualiti Merdeka, penganjur acara tahunan hak asasi manusia mengenai seksualiti, terutamanya hak asasi golongan LGBT, memperjuangkan projek ini berlandaskan kepentingannya untuk Malaysia. Penganjur pesta ini terdiri daripada gabungan beberapa kumpulan-kumpulan dan individu-individu, termasuk Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, dan lain-lain.\n\n**UGUTAN MEMBUNUH PEMBERI HARAPAN**\n\nSetakat ini, projek video ini telah menerima 15 sumbangan, empat diantaranya yang telah disiarkan di Internet. Video pertama adalah dari penanyi Peter Ong pada 9 Disember 2010, diikuti oleh jurutera-penulis Azwan Ismail pada 15 Disember, seorang mahasiswi Kavidha pada 17 Disember, dan seorang paderi Joe Pang pada 20 Disember.\n\nDalam tempoh 5 hari, video Azwan Ismail yang bertajuk – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – mendapat lebih daripada 150,000 hits dan 3,400 komen, kebanyakan yang menentang beliau. Ramai komentator menggesanya untuk bertaubat dan kembali ke pangkal jalan (heteroseksual). Namun begitu, kebanyakan komen bersifat kejam, kasar, dan biadab, termasuklah ancaman keselamatan beliau serta ugutan bunuh.\n\nMenteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom bertindak secara tidak bertanggungjawab sebab beliau meminta JAKIM untuk memantau kegiatan kumpulan homoseksual tanpa meminta JAKIM untuk memantau mereka yang memberi komen yang kasar dan kesat, serta mengancam keselamatan dan nyawa rakyat negara Malaysia.\n\nTampaknya bahawa prioriti menteri terhormat adalah risiko menjejaskan imej agama Islam. Tetapi pada pandangan kami, imej Islam juga boleh dircalar oleh penganut-penganut yang bersuara tanpa toleransi dan penuh kebencian, serta langsung tiada sifat perikemanusiaan.\n\nKami tidak berniat untuk menjejaskan imej Islam. Kami hanya ingin memberi harapan.\n\nKami berharap para pemimpin kita tidak akan mengabaikan ancaman keganasan fizikal. Perlakuan sedemikian tidak bermanfaat kepada sesiapa dan menghalang diskusi yang bermakna sambil mengugut golongan rakyat Malaysia yang sudahpun tersisih dan hidup dalam ketakutan.\n\n**RUANG UNTUK BERSUARA**\n\nKami percaya yang rakyat Malaysia mampu meraikan kepelbagaian, dinamisme dan kreativiti dan juga saling bertukar pelbagai perspektif dengan hormat. Jika golongan LGBT di Malaysia diberi ruang untuk bersuara, kami yakin orang ramai saling memahami dan sedar kami bukan ancaman kepada masyarakat.\n\nKami ingin mengutarakan pentingnya kesejahteraan emosi, psikologi dan kerohanian diri dengan menekan aspek kesedaran diri dan penerimaan diri sendiri bagi setiap insan. Sifat ini memupuk kesedaran dan penerimaan akan orang lain, serta memupuk sifat bertanggungjawab diri sendiri setiap insan kepada diri sendiri dan juga orang lain.\n\nOrientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender adalah isu identiti. Golongan LGBT mencari dan jatuh cinta seperti golongan heteroseksual. Adalah kenyataan yang ramai rakyat Malaysia homoseksual yang berada di khalayak ramai dalam semua lapisan masyarakat, dari jurutera ke peguam ke CEOs.\n\nHomoseksualiti bukan suatu konsep asing, kata penulis Amir Muhammad yang memberi sokongan kepada video Azwan dalam blognya. “Beberapa orang,” dia menjelaskan, “tidak terkejut oleh kenyataan seksualiti Azwan Ismail. Apa yang buat mereka rasa terhina adalah bahawa dia memberi namanya yang sebenar, dan benar-benar jujur tentang apa yang ingin dikatakannya. “\n\nKomen-komen yang kejam dan tidak berperikemanusiaan membuktikan bahawa Malaysia adalah tempat yang amat menekan bagi golongan LGBT yang ingin hidup secara jujur, terbuka dan bermakna. Lingkaran rasa malu dan ugutan ini harus dihentikan. Paksaan untuk berpura-pura sebagai heteroseksual akan mengakibatkan tekanan yang bertambah dengan kesepian dan ketakutan. Kesengsaraan ini boleh mendorong sesiapa sahaja untuk mengakhirkan nyawa sendiri.\n\nSebab itu, mesej yang memberi harapan seperti yang dilafazkan Azwan Ismail diperlukan lebih-lebih lagi: “Saya yakin keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik. Kita cuma perlu mencari sumber-sumber kekuatan di sekeliling kita kerana terdapat mereka yang dapat membantu kita dan akhirnya dapat memberikan keyakinan kepada diri kita untuk menempuhi hari-hari yang akan datang…”\n\nKami saling memerlukan di antara satu sama lain – bukan hanya LGBT, tetapi semua rakyat Malaysia. Tolong hentikan menyisihan dan pengniayaan rakyat LGBT Malaysia. Berilah kami peluang untuk berkongsi harapan.\n\nKAMI MENGESYORKAN\n\nKami mengesyorkan para pemimpin, media dan masyarakat Malaysia supaya:\n\n1. Menjamin semua rakyat Malaysia tidak menghadapi diskriminasi atas dasar identiti jantina dan orientasi seksual\n2. Menolak sekeras-kerasnya ancaman keganasan dan ugutan nyawa atas nama agama\n3. Mengadakan ruang-ruang yang tidak menghakimi, yang membina dan positif, dan memberi peluang untuk golongan LGBT di Malaysia untuk mengekspresikan diri mereka dan untuk mempromosikan pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang isu-isu berdasarkan orientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender.\n4. Menjamin keselamatan peserta “It Gets Better in Malaysia” supaya mesej harapan kepada remaja dapat disebarkan kepada mereka yang putus asa\n\n**Seksualiti Merdeka**  \n [www.seksualitimerdeka.org](http:\/\/www.seksualitimerdeka.org\/)  \n seksualitimerdeka@gmail.com  \n 22 December 2010","meta_canonical":null}

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Meta Title	Seksualiti Merdeka: Receiving Death Threats for Giving Hope - Women's Aid Organisation
Meta Description	It Gets Better in Malaysia is a video project about giving hope to young LGBT Malaysians: even though things can be rough during the teenage years, it can get better. This message is targeted at the minority of young Malaysians who are growing up as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT).
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Boilerpipe Text	RECEIVING DEATH THREATS FOR GIVING HOPE What Is “It Gets Better In Malaysia”? It Gets Better in Malaysia is a video project about giving hope to young LGBT Malaysians: even though things can be rough during the teenage years, it can get better. This message is targeted at the minority of young Malaysians who are growing up as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT). This project is in response to accounts of suicides and attempted suicides by LGBT teenagers and adults. Statistics of such suicides are anywhere between three to six times higher than by heterosexuals. This is due to the overwhelming feelings of loneliness, fear or hopelessness that result from the stigma and discrimination against them. Most people have their families to turn to. For LGBT youths, even their own families can be a source of rejection. They have no one to turn to. We decided it is up to us who have survived similar situations to reach out to young LGBTs. This is why the project was born. It’s not about making coming out videos. It is about giving hope to youths at risk. Seksualiti Merdeka, the organiser of an annual human rights festival on sexuality, especially the human rights of LGBT, took on this empowering project in belief of the message’s importance and relevance to Malaysia. The festival is organised by a coalition of groups and inviduals including the Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, among others. DEATH THREATS AGAINST HOPE GIVERS To date, our video project has seen 15 contributions, four of which are online. The first is by singer Peter Ong on 9 Dec 2010, followed by engineer-writer Azwan Ismail on 15 Dec, university student Kavidha on 17 Dec, and Pastor Joe Pang on 20 Dec. Within five days, Azwan Ismail’s video – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – reached over 150,000 views and 3,400 comments, many of which are against him: commentators have urged him to repent and return to the right path (heterosexuality). However, most of these comments are vicious, rude and uncalled for, and some have even threatened violence and murder towards Azwan and Seksualiti Merdeka members. We find it irresponsible of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom to ask JAKIM to monitor the activities of gay groups, while failing to ask JAKIM to criminalise those who post abusive and vulgar comments which threaten Malaysian citizens with violence and death. The honorable minister’s primary concern is the image of Islam being tarnished. However, we feel that Islam’s image can also be tarnished by those who speak with hate and intolerance, completely without a trace of humanity. We never intended to tarnish the image of Islam. We simply wanted to give hope. We hope our leaders will not ignore threats of physical violence. Besides preventing meaningful discourse and debate, these threats also further intimidate fellow Malaysians who are already fearful for their well-being. AVENUES TO EXPRESS OURSELVES We believe in respectful exchange of perspectives in Malaysia if we are truly a nation that celebrates diversity, dynamism, and creativity. If LGBT Malaysians are given avenues to express ourselves, we are certain the public will be more understanding and realise we are not a threat to society. We advocate the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance for our emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. This promotes awareness and acceptance of others, and responsibility to ourselves and to others. Sexual orientation and gender identity are identity issues. LGBTs do seek and fall in love just as heterosexuals do. There are already so many gay Malaysians working in all sectors of society from engineers to lawyers to CEOs. Homosexuality is not a foreign concept, writer Amir Muhammad says in support of Azwan’s video. “Some people,” he explains, “aren’t appalled by the fact of Azwan Ismail’s sexuality. What they are affronted by is that he’s a person who’s giving his own name, and being completely honest about what he wants to say.” The intolerant and vicious comments prove that Malaysia is a hostile environment preventing any LGBTs from leading honest, open and meaningful lives. This vicious cycle of shame and intimidation needs to be broken once and for all. The pressure in having to pretend to be something we are not and the loneliness and fear that comes with it often results in a misery that may push some to the verge of suicide. And that is why, more than ever, we need messages of hope such as that by Azwan Ismail: “I am confident that things will be better. We have to gather our strengths from around us because there people who can help us and give us the confidence to be ourselves, to face our future…” We need each other – not just other LGBTs, but all Malaysians. Please stop targeting and marginalising LGBT Malaysians. Give us a chance to tell our stories of hope. RECOMMENDATIONS We believe Malaysian leaders, the media and the public should: Ensure the non-discrimination of all Malaysians based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Condemn threats of violence and murder in the name of any religion Establish non-judgemental, constructive and positive spaces and enable opportunities for LGBTs in Malaysia to express themselves and to promote better understanding on issues based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Assure protection to participants of the “It Gets Better in Malaysia” project for helping to spread hope to our LGBT youths MENERIMA UGUTAN BUNUH BILA MEMBERI HARAPAN APAKAH “IT GETS BETTER IN MALAYSIA?” It Gets Better in Malaysia adalah projek video yang merakamkan mesej harapan untuk golongan muda LGBT Malaysia: walaupun situasi mungkin amat sukar di zaman remaja, namun keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik — ‘It gets better’. Mesej-mesej ini adalah untuk sebahagian kecil remaja Malaysia yang lesbian, gay, biseksual, transeksual (LGBT). Projek ini adalah tindak balas kepada kisah-kisah benar mengenai remaja dan dewasa LGBT yang bunuh diri atau cuba bunuh diri. Statistik menunjukkan bahawa frekuensi dan kemungkinan berlakunya kes bunuh diri remaja LGBT adalah antara tiga hingga enam kali lebih tinggi berbanding golongan heteroseksual. Ini adalah akibat perasaan kesepian, ketakutan, atau putus asa yang disebab oleh stigma dan diskriminasi terhadap mereka. Kebanyakan orang boleh mengadu kepada keluarga, tapi ramai remaja LGBT dipulau oleh keluarga mereka sendiri. Mereka tidak boleh mengadu kepada sesiapa. Kami memutuskan untuk memberi semangat kepada mereka kerana kami dapat mendalami perasaan yang sama. Inilah sebabnya projek ini dimulakan. Ia bukan projek membuat video ‘pengakuan gay’. Sebaliknya ia untuk memberi harapan kepada orang muda yang mungkin tiada harapan untuk hidup. Seksualiti Merdeka, penganjur acara tahunan hak asasi manusia mengenai seksualiti, terutamanya hak asasi golongan LGBT, memperjuangkan projek ini berlandaskan kepentingannya untuk Malaysia. Penganjur pesta ini terdiri daripada gabungan beberapa kumpulan-kumpulan dan individu-individu, termasuk Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, dan lain-lain. UGUTAN MEMBUNUH PEMBERI HARAPAN Setakat ini, projek video ini telah menerima 15 sumbangan, empat diantaranya yang telah disiarkan di Internet. Video pertama adalah dari penanyi Peter Ong pada 9 Disember 2010, diikuti oleh jurutera-penulis Azwan Ismail pada 15 Disember, seorang mahasiswi Kavidha pada 17 Disember, dan seorang paderi Joe Pang pada 20 Disember. Dalam tempoh 5 hari, video Azwan Ismail yang bertajuk – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – mendapat lebih daripada 150,000 hits dan 3,400 komen, kebanyakan yang menentang beliau. Ramai komentator menggesanya untuk bertaubat dan kembali ke pangkal jalan (heteroseksual). Namun begitu, kebanyakan komen bersifat kejam, kasar, dan biadab, termasuklah ancaman keselamatan beliau serta ugutan bunuh. Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom bertindak secara tidak bertanggungjawab sebab beliau meminta JAKIM untuk memantau kegiatan kumpulan homoseksual tanpa meminta JAKIM untuk memantau mereka yang memberi komen yang kasar dan kesat, serta mengancam keselamatan dan nyawa rakyat negara Malaysia. Tampaknya bahawa prioriti menteri terhormat adalah risiko menjejaskan imej agama Islam. Tetapi pada pandangan kami, imej Islam juga boleh dircalar oleh penganut-penganut yang bersuara tanpa toleransi dan penuh kebencian, serta langsung tiada sifat perikemanusiaan. Kami tidak berniat untuk menjejaskan imej Islam. Kami hanya ingin memberi harapan. Kami berharap para pemimpin kita tidak akan mengabaikan ancaman keganasan fizikal. Perlakuan sedemikian tidak bermanfaat kepada sesiapa dan menghalang diskusi yang bermakna sambil mengugut golongan rakyat Malaysia yang sudahpun tersisih dan hidup dalam ketakutan. RUANG UNTUK BERSUARA Kami percaya yang rakyat Malaysia mampu meraikan kepelbagaian, dinamisme dan kreativiti dan juga saling bertukar pelbagai perspektif dengan hormat. Jika golongan LGBT di Malaysia diberi ruang untuk bersuara, kami yakin orang ramai saling memahami dan sedar kami bukan ancaman kepada masyarakat. Kami ingin mengutarakan pentingnya kesejahteraan emosi, psikologi dan kerohanian diri dengan menekan aspek kesedaran diri dan penerimaan diri sendiri bagi setiap insan. Sifat ini memupuk kesedaran dan penerimaan akan orang lain, serta memupuk sifat bertanggungjawab diri sendiri setiap insan kepada diri sendiri dan juga orang lain. Orientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender adalah isu identiti. Golongan LGBT mencari dan jatuh cinta seperti golongan heteroseksual. Adalah kenyataan yang ramai rakyat Malaysia homoseksual yang berada di khalayak ramai dalam semua lapisan masyarakat, dari jurutera ke peguam ke CEOs. Homoseksualiti bukan suatu konsep asing, kata penulis Amir Muhammad yang memberi sokongan kepada video Azwan dalam blognya. “Beberapa orang,” dia menjelaskan, “tidak terkejut oleh kenyataan seksualiti Azwan Ismail. Apa yang buat mereka rasa terhina adalah bahawa dia memberi namanya yang sebenar, dan benar-benar jujur tentang apa yang ingin dikatakannya. “ Komen-komen yang kejam dan tidak berperikemanusiaan membuktikan bahawa Malaysia adalah tempat yang amat menekan bagi golongan LGBT yang ingin hidup secara jujur, terbuka dan bermakna. Lingkaran rasa malu dan ugutan ini harus dihentikan. Paksaan untuk berpura-pura sebagai heteroseksual akan mengakibatkan tekanan yang bertambah dengan kesepian dan ketakutan. Kesengsaraan ini boleh mendorong sesiapa sahaja untuk mengakhirkan nyawa sendiri. Sebab itu, mesej yang memberi harapan seperti yang dilafazkan Azwan Ismail diperlukan lebih-lebih lagi: “Saya yakin keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik. Kita cuma perlu mencari sumber-sumber kekuatan di sekeliling kita kerana terdapat mereka yang dapat membantu kita dan akhirnya dapat memberikan keyakinan kepada diri kita untuk menempuhi hari-hari yang akan datang…” Kami saling memerlukan di antara satu sama lain – bukan hanya LGBT, tetapi semua rakyat Malaysia. Tolong hentikan menyisihan dan pengniayaan rakyat LGBT Malaysia. Berilah kami peluang untuk berkongsi harapan. KAMI MENGESYORKAN Kami mengesyorkan para pemimpin, media dan masyarakat Malaysia supaya: Menjamin semua rakyat Malaysia tidak menghadapi diskriminasi atas dasar identiti jantina dan orientasi seksual Menolak sekeras-kerasnya ancaman keganasan dan ugutan nyawa atas nama agama Mengadakan ruang-ruang yang tidak menghakimi, yang membina dan positif, dan memberi peluang untuk golongan LGBT di Malaysia untuk mengekspresikan diri mereka dan untuk mempromosikan pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang isu-isu berdasarkan orientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender. Menjamin keselamatan peserta “It Gets Better in Malaysia” supaya mesej harapan kepada remaja dapat disebarkan kepada mereka yang putus asa Seksualiti Merdeka www.seksualitimerdeka.org seksualitimerdeka@gmail.com 22 December 2010
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[Search](https://wao.org.my/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope/) [Open mobile menuClose mobile menu](https://wao.org.my/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope/) News [Home](https://wao.org.my/) » [News](https://wao.org.my/news/) » [News](https://wao.org.my/news/) » Seksualiti Merdeka: Receiving Death Threats for Giving Hope # Seksualiti Merdeka: Receiving Death Threats for Giving Hope - 29th December 2010 - heanglee - [Uncategorised](https://wao.org.my/category/uncategorised/) - [0 Comments](https://wao.org.my/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope/#respond) RECEIVING DEATH THREATS FOR GIVING HOPE What Is “It Gets Better In Malaysia”? It Gets Better in Malaysia is a video project about giving hope to young LGBT Malaysians: even though things can be rough during the teenage years, it can get better. This message is targeted at the minority of young Malaysians who are growing up as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT). This project is in response to accounts of suicides and attempted suicides by LGBT teenagers and adults. Statistics of such suicides are anywhere between three to six times higher than by heterosexuals. This is due to the overwhelming feelings of loneliness, fear or hopelessness that result from the stigma and discrimination against them. Most people have their families to turn to. For LGBT youths, even their own families can be a source of rejection. They have no one to turn to. We decided it is up to us who have survived similar situations to reach out to young LGBTs. This is why the project was born. It’s not about making coming out videos. It is about giving hope to youths at risk. Seksualiti Merdeka, the organiser of an annual human rights festival on sexuality, especially the human rights of LGBT, took on this empowering project in belief of the message’s importance and relevance to Malaysia. The festival is organised by a coalition of groups and inviduals including the Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, among others. DEATH THREATS AGAINST HOPE GIVERS To date, our video project has seen 15 contributions, four of which are online. The first is by singer [Peter Ong](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EcTQpbFF4w&feature=related) on 9 Dec 2010, followed by engineer-writer [Azwan Ismail](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJLSteQIcms&feature=related) on 15 Dec, university student [Kavidha](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om_BERG9puk&feature=related) on 17 Dec, and Pastor [Joe Pang](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxQIjntpGe4&feature=related) on 20 Dec. Within five days, Azwan Ismail’s video – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – reached over 150,000 views and 3,400 comments, many of which are against him: commentators have urged him to repent and return to the right path (heterosexuality). However, most of these comments are vicious, rude and uncalled for, and some have even threatened violence and murder towards Azwan and Seksualiti Merdeka members. We find it irresponsible of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom to ask JAKIM to monitor the activities of gay groups, while failing to ask JAKIM to criminalise those who post abusive and vulgar comments which threaten Malaysian citizens with violence and death. The honorable minister’s primary concern is the image of Islam being tarnished. However, we feel that Islam’s image can also be tarnished by those who speak with hate and intolerance, completely without a trace of humanity. We never intended to tarnish the image of Islam. We simply wanted to give hope. We hope our leaders will not ignore threats of physical violence. Besides preventing meaningful discourse and debate, these threats also further intimidate fellow Malaysians who are already fearful for their well-being. AVENUES TO EXPRESS OURSELVES We believe in respectful exchange of perspectives in Malaysia if we are truly a nation that celebrates diversity, dynamism, and creativity. If LGBT Malaysians are given avenues to express ourselves, we are certain the public will be more understanding and realise we are not a threat to society. We advocate the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance for our emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. This promotes awareness and acceptance of others, and responsibility to ourselves and to others. Sexual orientation and gender identity are identity issues. LGBTs do seek and fall in love just as heterosexuals do. There are already so many gay Malaysians working in all sectors of society from engineers to lawyers to CEOs. Homosexuality is not a foreign concept, writer [Amir Muhammad](http://amirmu.blogspot.com/2010/12/who-is-azwan-ismail-and-why-are-some.html) says in support of Azwan’s video. “Some people,” he explains, “aren’t appalled by the fact of Azwan Ismail’s sexuality. What they are affronted by is that he’s a person who’s giving his own name, and being completely honest about what he wants to say.” The intolerant and vicious comments prove that Malaysia is a hostile environment preventing any LGBTs from leading honest, open and meaningful lives. This vicious cycle of shame and intimidation needs to be broken once and for all. The pressure in having to pretend to be something we are not and the loneliness and fear that comes with it often results in a misery that may push some to the verge of suicide. And that is why, more than ever, we need messages of hope such as that by Azwan Ismail: “I am confident that things will be better. We have to gather our strengths from around us because there people who can help us and give us the confidence to be ourselves, to face our future…” We need each other – not just other LGBTs, but all Malaysians. Please stop targeting and marginalising LGBT Malaysians. Give us a chance to tell our stories of hope. RECOMMENDATIONS We believe Malaysian leaders, the media and the public should: 1. Ensure the non-discrimination of all Malaysians based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 2. Condemn threats of violence and murder in the name of any religion 3. Establish non-judgemental, constructive and positive spaces and enable opportunities for LGBTs in Malaysia to express themselves and to promote better understanding on issues based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 4. Assure protection to participants of the “It Gets Better in Malaysia” project for helping to spread hope to our LGBT youths MENERIMA UGUTAN BUNUH BILA MEMBERI HARAPAN APAKAH “IT GETS BETTER IN MALAYSIA?” It Gets Better in Malaysia adalah projek video yang merakamkan mesej harapan untuk golongan muda LGBT Malaysia: walaupun situasi mungkin amat sukar di zaman remaja, namun keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik — ‘It gets better’. Mesej-mesej ini adalah untuk sebahagian kecil remaja Malaysia yang lesbian, gay, biseksual, transeksual (LGBT). Projek ini adalah tindak balas kepada kisah-kisah benar mengenai remaja dan dewasa LGBT yang bunuh diri atau cuba bunuh diri. Statistik menunjukkan bahawa frekuensi dan kemungkinan berlakunya kes bunuh diri remaja LGBT adalah antara tiga hingga enam kali lebih tinggi berbanding golongan heteroseksual. Ini adalah akibat perasaan kesepian, ketakutan, atau putus asa yang disebab oleh stigma dan diskriminasi terhadap mereka. Kebanyakan orang boleh mengadu kepada keluarga, tapi ramai remaja LGBT dipulau oleh keluarga mereka sendiri. Mereka tidak boleh mengadu kepada sesiapa. Kami memutuskan untuk memberi semangat kepada mereka kerana kami dapat mendalami perasaan yang sama. Inilah sebabnya projek ini dimulakan. Ia bukan projek membuat video ‘pengakuan gay’. Sebaliknya ia untuk memberi harapan kepada orang muda yang mungkin tiada harapan untuk hidup. Seksualiti Merdeka, penganjur acara tahunan hak asasi manusia mengenai seksualiti, terutamanya hak asasi golongan LGBT, memperjuangkan projek ini berlandaskan kepentingannya untuk Malaysia. Penganjur pesta ini terdiri daripada gabungan beberapa kumpulan-kumpulan dan individu-individu, termasuk Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, dan lain-lain. UGUTAN MEMBUNUH PEMBERI HARAPAN Setakat ini, projek video ini telah menerima 15 sumbangan, empat diantaranya yang telah disiarkan di Internet. Video pertama adalah dari penanyi Peter Ong pada 9 Disember 2010, diikuti oleh jurutera-penulis Azwan Ismail pada 15 Disember, seorang mahasiswi Kavidha pada 17 Disember, dan seorang paderi Joe Pang pada 20 Disember. Dalam tempoh 5 hari, video Azwan Ismail yang bertajuk – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – mendapat lebih daripada 150,000 hits dan 3,400 komen, kebanyakan yang menentang beliau. Ramai komentator menggesanya untuk bertaubat dan kembali ke pangkal jalan (heteroseksual). Namun begitu, kebanyakan komen bersifat kejam, kasar, dan biadab, termasuklah ancaman keselamatan beliau serta ugutan bunuh. Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom bertindak secara tidak bertanggungjawab sebab beliau meminta JAKIM untuk memantau kegiatan kumpulan homoseksual tanpa meminta JAKIM untuk memantau mereka yang memberi komen yang kasar dan kesat, serta mengancam keselamatan dan nyawa rakyat negara Malaysia. Tampaknya bahawa prioriti menteri terhormat adalah risiko menjejaskan imej agama Islam. Tetapi pada pandangan kami, imej Islam juga boleh dircalar oleh penganut-penganut yang bersuara tanpa toleransi dan penuh kebencian, serta langsung tiada sifat perikemanusiaan. Kami tidak berniat untuk menjejaskan imej Islam. Kami hanya ingin memberi harapan. Kami berharap para pemimpin kita tidak akan mengabaikan ancaman keganasan fizikal. Perlakuan sedemikian tidak bermanfaat kepada sesiapa dan menghalang diskusi yang bermakna sambil mengugut golongan rakyat Malaysia yang sudahpun tersisih dan hidup dalam ketakutan. RUANG UNTUK BERSUARA Kami percaya yang rakyat Malaysia mampu meraikan kepelbagaian, dinamisme dan kreativiti dan juga saling bertukar pelbagai perspektif dengan hormat. Jika golongan LGBT di Malaysia diberi ruang untuk bersuara, kami yakin orang ramai saling memahami dan sedar kami bukan ancaman kepada masyarakat. Kami ingin mengutarakan pentingnya kesejahteraan emosi, psikologi dan kerohanian diri dengan menekan aspek kesedaran diri dan penerimaan diri sendiri bagi setiap insan. Sifat ini memupuk kesedaran dan penerimaan akan orang lain, serta memupuk sifat bertanggungjawab diri sendiri setiap insan kepada diri sendiri dan juga orang lain. Orientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender adalah isu identiti. Golongan LGBT mencari dan jatuh cinta seperti golongan heteroseksual. Adalah kenyataan yang ramai rakyat Malaysia homoseksual yang berada di khalayak ramai dalam semua lapisan masyarakat, dari jurutera ke peguam ke CEOs. Homoseksualiti bukan suatu konsep asing, kata penulis Amir Muhammad yang memberi sokongan kepada video Azwan dalam blognya. “Beberapa orang,” dia menjelaskan, “tidak terkejut oleh kenyataan seksualiti Azwan Ismail. Apa yang buat mereka rasa terhina adalah bahawa dia memberi namanya yang sebenar, dan benar-benar jujur tentang apa yang ingin dikatakannya. “ Komen-komen yang kejam dan tidak berperikemanusiaan membuktikan bahawa Malaysia adalah tempat yang amat menekan bagi golongan LGBT yang ingin hidup secara jujur, terbuka dan bermakna. Lingkaran rasa malu dan ugutan ini harus dihentikan. Paksaan untuk berpura-pura sebagai heteroseksual akan mengakibatkan tekanan yang bertambah dengan kesepian dan ketakutan. Kesengsaraan ini boleh mendorong sesiapa sahaja untuk mengakhirkan nyawa sendiri. Sebab itu, mesej yang memberi harapan seperti yang dilafazkan Azwan Ismail diperlukan lebih-lebih lagi: “Saya yakin keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik. Kita cuma perlu mencari sumber-sumber kekuatan di sekeliling kita kerana terdapat mereka yang dapat membantu kita dan akhirnya dapat memberikan keyakinan kepada diri kita untuk menempuhi hari-hari yang akan datang…” Kami saling memerlukan di antara satu sama lain – bukan hanya LGBT, tetapi semua rakyat Malaysia. Tolong hentikan menyisihan dan pengniayaan rakyat LGBT Malaysia. Berilah kami peluang untuk berkongsi harapan. KAMI MENGESYORKAN Kami mengesyorkan para pemimpin, media dan masyarakat Malaysia supaya: 1. Menjamin semua rakyat Malaysia tidak menghadapi diskriminasi atas dasar identiti jantina dan orientasi seksual 2. Menolak sekeras-kerasnya ancaman keganasan dan ugutan nyawa atas nama agama 3. Mengadakan ruang-ruang yang tidak menghakimi, yang membina dan positif, dan memberi peluang untuk golongan LGBT di Malaysia untuk mengekspresikan diri mereka dan untuk mempromosikan pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang isu-isu berdasarkan orientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender. 4. Menjamin keselamatan peserta “It Gets Better in Malaysia” supaya mesej harapan kepada remaja dapat disebarkan kepada mereka yang putus asa Seksualiti Merdeka [www.seksualitimerdeka.org](http://www.seksualitimerdeka.org/) seksualitimerdeka@gmail.com 22 December 2010 ### Share This - [Twitter](https://wao.org.my/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope/) - [Facebook](https://wao.org.my/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope/) - [Pinterest](https://wao.org.my/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope/) - [LinkedIn](https://wao.org.my/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope/) ### Related Posts [Kenyataan Media JAG- Isu “Suka Sama Suka”](https://wao.org.my/kenyataan-media-jag-isu-suka-sama-suka/) Kenyataan Media — Untuk Siaran Segera Kuala Lumpur, 23 September 2025 Joint Action Group for… [Urgent International Mobilisation for Palestinian Women and Girls in Gaza Needed](https://wao.org.my/urgent-international-mobilisation-for-palestinian-women-and-girls-in-gaza-needed/) Media Statement – For Immediate Publication Kuala Lumpur, 30 MAY 2024 Women's Aid Organisation (WAO)… [Joint NGO Report, for the Malaysian Government’s Review by the CEDAW Committee, at the 88th CEDAW Session in May 2024](https://wao.org.my/joint-ngo-report-for-the-malaysian-governments-review-by-the-cedaw-committee-at-the-88th-cedaw-session-in-may-2024/) Malaysia ratified the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women… ### Comments (0) ### Leave a Reply [Cancel reply](https://wao.org.my/seksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope/#respond) You must be [logged in](https://wao.org.my/wp-login.php?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fwao.org.my%2Fseksualiti-merdeka-receiving-death-threats-for-giving-hope%2F) to post a comment. 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Readable Markdown	RECEIVING DEATH THREATS FOR GIVING HOPE What Is “It Gets Better In Malaysia”? It Gets Better in Malaysia is a video project about giving hope to young LGBT Malaysians: even though things can be rough during the teenage years, it can get better. This message is targeted at the minority of young Malaysians who are growing up as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT). This project is in response to accounts of suicides and attempted suicides by LGBT teenagers and adults. Statistics of such suicides are anywhere between three to six times higher than by heterosexuals. This is due to the overwhelming feelings of loneliness, fear or hopelessness that result from the stigma and discrimination against them. Most people have their families to turn to. For LGBT youths, even their own families can be a source of rejection. They have no one to turn to. We decided it is up to us who have survived similar situations to reach out to young LGBTs. This is why the project was born. It’s not about making coming out videos. It is about giving hope to youths at risk. Seksualiti Merdeka, the organiser of an annual human rights festival on sexuality, especially the human rights of LGBT, took on this empowering project in belief of the message’s importance and relevance to Malaysia. The festival is organised by a coalition of groups and inviduals including the Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, among others. DEATH THREATS AGAINST HOPE GIVERS To date, our video project has seen 15 contributions, four of which are online. The first is by singer [Peter Ong](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EcTQpbFF4w&feature=related) on 9 Dec 2010, followed by engineer-writer [Azwan Ismail](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJLSteQIcms&feature=related) on 15 Dec, university student [Kavidha](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om_BERG9puk&feature=related) on 17 Dec, and Pastor [Joe Pang](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxQIjntpGe4&feature=related) on 20 Dec. Within five days, Azwan Ismail’s video – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – reached over 150,000 views and 3,400 comments, many of which are against him: commentators have urged him to repent and return to the right path (heterosexuality). However, most of these comments are vicious, rude and uncalled for, and some have even threatened violence and murder towards Azwan and Seksualiti Merdeka members. We find it irresponsible of the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom to ask JAKIM to monitor the activities of gay groups, while failing to ask JAKIM to criminalise those who post abusive and vulgar comments which threaten Malaysian citizens with violence and death. The honorable minister’s primary concern is the image of Islam being tarnished. However, we feel that Islam’s image can also be tarnished by those who speak with hate and intolerance, completely without a trace of humanity. We never intended to tarnish the image of Islam. We simply wanted to give hope. We hope our leaders will not ignore threats of physical violence. Besides preventing meaningful discourse and debate, these threats also further intimidate fellow Malaysians who are already fearful for their well-being. AVENUES TO EXPRESS OURSELVES We believe in respectful exchange of perspectives in Malaysia if we are truly a nation that celebrates diversity, dynamism, and creativity. If LGBT Malaysians are given avenues to express ourselves, we are certain the public will be more understanding and realise we are not a threat to society. We advocate the importance of self-awareness and self-acceptance for our emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. This promotes awareness and acceptance of others, and responsibility to ourselves and to others. Sexual orientation and gender identity are identity issues. LGBTs do seek and fall in love just as heterosexuals do. There are already so many gay Malaysians working in all sectors of society from engineers to lawyers to CEOs. Homosexuality is not a foreign concept, writer [Amir Muhammad](http://amirmu.blogspot.com/2010/12/who-is-azwan-ismail-and-why-are-some.html) says in support of Azwan’s video. “Some people,” he explains, “aren’t appalled by the fact of Azwan Ismail’s sexuality. What they are affronted by is that he’s a person who’s giving his own name, and being completely honest about what he wants to say.” The intolerant and vicious comments prove that Malaysia is a hostile environment preventing any LGBTs from leading honest, open and meaningful lives. This vicious cycle of shame and intimidation needs to be broken once and for all. The pressure in having to pretend to be something we are not and the loneliness and fear that comes with it often results in a misery that may push some to the verge of suicide. And that is why, more than ever, we need messages of hope such as that by Azwan Ismail: “I am confident that things will be better. We have to gather our strengths from around us because there people who can help us and give us the confidence to be ourselves, to face our future…” We need each other – not just other LGBTs, but all Malaysians. Please stop targeting and marginalising LGBT Malaysians. Give us a chance to tell our stories of hope. RECOMMENDATIONS We believe Malaysian leaders, the media and the public should: 1. Ensure the non-discrimination of all Malaysians based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 2. Condemn threats of violence and murder in the name of any religion 3. Establish non-judgemental, constructive and positive spaces and enable opportunities for LGBTs in Malaysia to express themselves and to promote better understanding on issues based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 4. Assure protection to participants of the “It Gets Better in Malaysia” project for helping to spread hope to our LGBT youths MENERIMA UGUTAN BUNUH BILA MEMBERI HARAPAN APAKAH “IT GETS BETTER IN MALAYSIA?” It Gets Better in Malaysia adalah projek video yang merakamkan mesej harapan untuk golongan muda LGBT Malaysia: walaupun situasi mungkin amat sukar di zaman remaja, namun keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik — ‘It gets better’. Mesej-mesej ini adalah untuk sebahagian kecil remaja Malaysia yang lesbian, gay, biseksual, transeksual (LGBT). Projek ini adalah tindak balas kepada kisah-kisah benar mengenai remaja dan dewasa LGBT yang bunuh diri atau cuba bunuh diri. Statistik menunjukkan bahawa frekuensi dan kemungkinan berlakunya kes bunuh diri remaja LGBT adalah antara tiga hingga enam kali lebih tinggi berbanding golongan heteroseksual. Ini adalah akibat perasaan kesepian, ketakutan, atau putus asa yang disebab oleh stigma dan diskriminasi terhadap mereka. Kebanyakan orang boleh mengadu kepada keluarga, tapi ramai remaja LGBT dipulau oleh keluarga mereka sendiri. Mereka tidak boleh mengadu kepada sesiapa. Kami memutuskan untuk memberi semangat kepada mereka kerana kami dapat mendalami perasaan yang sama. Inilah sebabnya projek ini dimulakan. Ia bukan projek membuat video ‘pengakuan gay’. Sebaliknya ia untuk memberi harapan kepada orang muda yang mungkin tiada harapan untuk hidup. Seksualiti Merdeka, penganjur acara tahunan hak asasi manusia mengenai seksualiti, terutamanya hak asasi golongan LGBT, memperjuangkan projek ini berlandaskan kepentingannya untuk Malaysia. Penganjur pesta ini terdiri daripada gabungan beberapa kumpulan-kumpulan dan individu-individu, termasuk Bar Council Malaysia, SUARAM, Empower, PT Foundation, United Nations, Amnesty International, KRYSS, Purple Lab, Matahari Books, dan lain-lain. UGUTAN MEMBUNUH PEMBERI HARAPAN Setakat ini, projek video ini telah menerima 15 sumbangan, empat diantaranya yang telah disiarkan di Internet. Video pertama adalah dari penanyi Peter Ong pada 9 Disember 2010, diikuti oleh jurutera-penulis Azwan Ismail pada 15 Disember, seorang mahasiswi Kavidha pada 17 Disember, dan seorang paderi Joe Pang pada 20 Disember. Dalam tempoh 5 hari, video Azwan Ismail yang bertajuk – It Gets Better in Malaysia: Azwan Ismail “Saya gay, saya okay” – mendapat lebih daripada 150,000 hits dan 3,400 komen, kebanyakan yang menentang beliau. Ramai komentator menggesanya untuk bertaubat dan kembali ke pangkal jalan (heteroseksual). Namun begitu, kebanyakan komen bersifat kejam, kasar, dan biadab, termasuklah ancaman keselamatan beliau serta ugutan bunuh. Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom bertindak secara tidak bertanggungjawab sebab beliau meminta JAKIM untuk memantau kegiatan kumpulan homoseksual tanpa meminta JAKIM untuk memantau mereka yang memberi komen yang kasar dan kesat, serta mengancam keselamatan dan nyawa rakyat negara Malaysia. Tampaknya bahawa prioriti menteri terhormat adalah risiko menjejaskan imej agama Islam. Tetapi pada pandangan kami, imej Islam juga boleh dircalar oleh penganut-penganut yang bersuara tanpa toleransi dan penuh kebencian, serta langsung tiada sifat perikemanusiaan. Kami tidak berniat untuk menjejaskan imej Islam. Kami hanya ingin memberi harapan. Kami berharap para pemimpin kita tidak akan mengabaikan ancaman keganasan fizikal. Perlakuan sedemikian tidak bermanfaat kepada sesiapa dan menghalang diskusi yang bermakna sambil mengugut golongan rakyat Malaysia yang sudahpun tersisih dan hidup dalam ketakutan. RUANG UNTUK BERSUARA Kami percaya yang rakyat Malaysia mampu meraikan kepelbagaian, dinamisme dan kreativiti dan juga saling bertukar pelbagai perspektif dengan hormat. Jika golongan LGBT di Malaysia diberi ruang untuk bersuara, kami yakin orang ramai saling memahami dan sedar kami bukan ancaman kepada masyarakat. Kami ingin mengutarakan pentingnya kesejahteraan emosi, psikologi dan kerohanian diri dengan menekan aspek kesedaran diri dan penerimaan diri sendiri bagi setiap insan. Sifat ini memupuk kesedaran dan penerimaan akan orang lain, serta memupuk sifat bertanggungjawab diri sendiri setiap insan kepada diri sendiri dan juga orang lain. Orientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender adalah isu identiti. Golongan LGBT mencari dan jatuh cinta seperti golongan heteroseksual. Adalah kenyataan yang ramai rakyat Malaysia homoseksual yang berada di khalayak ramai dalam semua lapisan masyarakat, dari jurutera ke peguam ke CEOs. Homoseksualiti bukan suatu konsep asing, kata penulis Amir Muhammad yang memberi sokongan kepada video Azwan dalam blognya. “Beberapa orang,” dia menjelaskan, “tidak terkejut oleh kenyataan seksualiti Azwan Ismail. Apa yang buat mereka rasa terhina adalah bahawa dia memberi namanya yang sebenar, dan benar-benar jujur tentang apa yang ingin dikatakannya. “ Komen-komen yang kejam dan tidak berperikemanusiaan membuktikan bahawa Malaysia adalah tempat yang amat menekan bagi golongan LGBT yang ingin hidup secara jujur, terbuka dan bermakna. Lingkaran rasa malu dan ugutan ini harus dihentikan. Paksaan untuk berpura-pura sebagai heteroseksual akan mengakibatkan tekanan yang bertambah dengan kesepian dan ketakutan. Kesengsaraan ini boleh mendorong sesiapa sahaja untuk mengakhirkan nyawa sendiri. Sebab itu, mesej yang memberi harapan seperti yang dilafazkan Azwan Ismail diperlukan lebih-lebih lagi: “Saya yakin keadaan akan menjadi lebih baik. Kita cuma perlu mencari sumber-sumber kekuatan di sekeliling kita kerana terdapat mereka yang dapat membantu kita dan akhirnya dapat memberikan keyakinan kepada diri kita untuk menempuhi hari-hari yang akan datang…” Kami saling memerlukan di antara satu sama lain – bukan hanya LGBT, tetapi semua rakyat Malaysia. Tolong hentikan menyisihan dan pengniayaan rakyat LGBT Malaysia. Berilah kami peluang untuk berkongsi harapan. KAMI MENGESYORKAN Kami mengesyorkan para pemimpin, media dan masyarakat Malaysia supaya: 1. Menjamin semua rakyat Malaysia tidak menghadapi diskriminasi atas dasar identiti jantina dan orientasi seksual 2. Menolak sekeras-kerasnya ancaman keganasan dan ugutan nyawa atas nama agama 3. Mengadakan ruang-ruang yang tidak menghakimi, yang membina dan positif, dan memberi peluang untuk golongan LGBT di Malaysia untuk mengekspresikan diri mereka dan untuk mempromosikan pemahaman yang lebih baik tentang isu-isu berdasarkan orientasi seksual dan jatidiri gender. 4. Menjamin keselamatan peserta “It Gets Better in Malaysia” supaya mesej harapan kepada remaja dapat disebarkan kepada mereka yang putus asa Seksualiti Merdeka [www.seksualitimerdeka.org](http://www.seksualitimerdeka.org/) seksualitimerdeka@gmail.com 22 December 2010
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