seksualiti pun nak dimerdekakan?

Let me open up this posting by professing my love to the Lesbian, Gay, Bi and TransGender (LGBT) friends in my circle. They have been the loveliest bunch, and most times, the most sensitive and supportive when I need shoulders to cry on.

I love them to bits.

But I do think that this Seksualiti Merdeka event coming up will only breed more animosity than understanding between the straights and the LGBT communities. Why do I say that?

Look around us. We are in Malaysia, we are predominantly Muslim, generally conservative and still culturally green. We still argue about the haram and halalness of Tabasco Sauce for God's sake! So why do you think that people will embrace Seksualiti Merdeka with open arms?

To most Malaysians, this event is quite a shocker. Even Buletin Utama called it a pesta seks bebas or something to that extent. See how the objective of Seksualiti Merdeka is not understood or skewed before it even started?

As Malaysians, I think we have been pretty tolerant of LGBTs. Case in point would be Azwan Ali (I don't even know which category this dude is in) and the many celebrities that are known to be gay - they still can cari makan peacefully in this country. And most women prefer their Mak Andams to be "Pak Andams" instead because admit it, transgenders have the creativity of a woman and the strength of a man. They are blessed that way.

So what Merdeka are they referring to? Aren't we Merdeka enough? If you talk about kissing in public, not even LGBTs get stared at - even straight couples aren't expected to do that because it's just against our culture.

Pang Khee Teik, one of the founders of Seksualiti Merdeka tweeted "While many LGBTs are kicked fm homes, abused, blackmailed, arrested, KEEPING QUIET IS NOT AN OPTION."

First of all being kicked from homes, abused, blackmailed, arrested are not only LGBT-specific issues. Arrested? Kalau kau transvestites menjual kat Chow Kit maybe so, but so far even in my little quaint hometown of Batu Pahat, cross dressers can lepak all they want and not be arrested.

And to hold this event during Aidiladha celebrations? It's just poor taste. If you can't respect other people's feelings, then why do you expect them to respect yours?

So there.

Your sexuality is your choice. But remember, you can't impose your beliefs or your sexuality upon others. You can't force people to accept who you are.

And most of all, sexuality is about what happens behind closed doors, so just let us keep it that way.