We are human beings, too!

Colombia delivered a joint statement during the general debate at the United Nations Human Rights Council recently to call on the world to end violence, criminal sanctions, and related human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, and to urge the Human Rights Council to address these important human rights issues.

Eighty-five countries signed the joint statement; Malaysia, however, was not one of them.

The joint statement emphasises that no one should face rights violations because of his or her sexual orientation or gender identity. Countries that have refused to be part of this joint statement do not believe that gay people deserve to be treated with respect and dignity.

Given the ignorance of many politicians and religious fundamentalists in our country, I am not surprised that Malaysia is not one of the countries that signed the document that upholds human rights.

I am, however, still deeply saddened by the absence of Malaysia in this important statement, especially while countries like Japan, Nepal, Rwanda, and Mexico are among the signatories, demonstrating that they have a better understanding of human rights than Malaysia.

This statement is reported to enjoy the support of the largest group of countries, to date, on the topic of sexual orientation, gender identity, and human rights; but this group is still not large enough to make every country believe that LGBT (refers collectively to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people). ...people are human beings who also deserve human rights - a lamentable situation in the technologically-advanced twenty-first century!

Due to ignorance and prejudice, many people, especially in developing and under-developed countries, still believe that gay people and transgender people do not deserve to be protected by the law, as is every heterosexual.

The message of the countries that deny the human rights of LGBT people, including Malaysia, is clear: You should pay your taxes; you can give your lives to the country, but you cannot live your lives authentically; you have to lie to live!

When everything is your own fault

If you come out and are honest about who you are, and get hurt or even killed because of that, it is all your fault! Not signing the statement to protect the lives of gay and transgender people implies that some people are less than human and that they should not enjoy the same human rights as others.

The prejudices against gay and transgender people are outrageous, especially considering the fact that we live in the twenty-first century.

Like the myths and stereotypes of race and gender many people held in the past, those about homosexuality are still alive and kicking in many countries due to religious fundamentalism and ignorance.

It is astonishing, and no less frustrating, to see how people can perpetuate homophobia and hatred, and be extremely unreasonable, by condemning homosexuality while not being able to articulate objectively and scientifically what is wrong with it, or what harm it can do to anyone.

Since Malaysia refuses to sign the statement that would protect basic human rights of gay people, please do not tell us that, "We have no problem with homosexuality, as long as you keep it to yourself."

What is meant by "We have no problem with homosexuality," when gay people are not protected by laws? What does it mean to "keep your sexual practices private" or "keep it to yourself," while we still retain the outdated codes 377 (a) and (b), which were bestowed on us by our English colonisers and which even they repealed a long time ago?

Admit it, gay people in Malaysia have no privacy because our society intrudes into our bedrooms with codes 377 (a) and (b). You are not okay with homosexuality! This unexamined hypocrisy must be exposed!

Even when world sinks, gay bashing will continue

The arguments many people use to attack and condemn gay and transgender people do not stand up to rational consideration.

Many people when they think about homosexuality, only think about sexual acts; we are not acts, we are human beings who pay taxes and who deserve to be treated as citizens as well.

Homosexuality is not a lifestyle, it is who we are; homosexuals are human beings.

Our sexual orientation, regardless of being homosexual or heterosexual, is more than sexual behavior, it also involves the mind, the heart and the soul, and every intimate association that individuals form helps to give meaning and richness to life.

The Port Klang Free Zone scandal has been soft-pedaled in every way possible, or even forgotten by many people, and yet this country is obsessed with investigating Saiful Bukhari Azlan's (right) anus. Isn't this ridiculous?

The reason we have this unnecessary drama, which drains the energy and resources of opposition parties, is that we retain the outdated codes 377 (a) and (b). No wonder the government never wants to repeal them, and many of us are stupid enough to give our tacit consent to our government.

REV O YOUNG is an ordained Christian minister at MCC New York. He holds two masters degrees, in  sociology and theology. He lives in New York city and teaches sociology at St Peter’s College. He has published 20 books on sociology, theology and sexuality and is also a columnist for Sin Chew Daily. He is currently finishing his doctoral degrees in sociology and theology.