Eastern values
Mahathir Mohammad disappointed some onlookers during his tour of Thailand over his LGBT views.
Fresh from victory over Najib Rizak and the corruption scandal, Mahathir seemed, for many, like a welcome return to stability. Unfortunately, it seems he also brought with him the outdated baggage that has saddled many veteran politicians like him who are unable or unwilling to keep up with a world that has evolved its views of human rights and dignity - especially on the LGBT front.
Mahathir said: “At this moment, we do not accept LGBT but if they want to accept (referring to the West), that is their business. Don’t force it on us... The institution of marriage, the institution of the family has now been disregarded in the West. Why should we follow that? Our value system is as good.”
Mahathir continued: “In the West now, men marry men, women marry women, and then the family is not made up of father, mother and child, but it’s two men adopting one child from somebody. They call themselves a family.”
I will let history buffs refute Mahathir on the ever-evolving definition of “family.” If his fixed definition of family is mother, father, and child, then I am sure many Malaysians will be able to come up to him and demonstrate how fallacious that view is.
What’s critical to point out though is that LGBT rights shouldn’t be equated with the West. At the core of LGBT rights, it must be stressed, isn’t the belief that gays in the East must be given the same rights as gays in the West. Instead, the core principle is that LGBTs are human beings, and so each and every right that is enjoyed by a straight human being should likewise be enjoyed by an LGBT because they are human beings.
I seriously doubt the Malaysian gay community is pining after the freedoms enjoyed by western gays because those gays are western, or because the Malaysians want to be transformed into westerners. The community is probably (undoubtedly?) seeking LGBT rights because they rightly believe those rights are due them as human beings.
That brings me to another point. It is not the West knocking on the doors of Malaysia, asking it to adopt western values. Rather, Mahathir should listen to the whispers, entreaties, and prayers of his own citizens, who seek recognition and validation of their humanity. (I wanted to say he should listen to their clamor, but given that it is illegal for homosexuality to be “practiced” in Malaysia, that clamor is not exactly easy to find).
Just this year, two Malaysian lesbians were caned for allegedly having carnal relations. With that kind of a threat hanging over the populace, would we really expect them to have a rousing pride weekend celebration? Would they have a man walking around in stilettos and prancing about on board their flag carrier?
(I ask because I am on board a Philippine Airlines flight and the flaming viral personality that is Sinon Loresca has just sashayed in wearing a three-inch top that flaunts his abs, and skin-tight leotards that amply demonstrates every inch of his fabulous musculature. Needless to say, he would not survive very long if he tried his runway modeling antics at the Petronas Towers.)
For nuance’s sake though, it must be conceded that even Mahathir objected to the lesbians’ punishment. However, that is not enough. As Malaysia’s leader, Mahathir must secure and guarantee the happiness and freedom of his citizens - including the LGBT community. Especially after he had used the anti-gay card in disposing of then-political rival (and now ally) Anwar Ibrahim, Mahathir owes the community big time.
Speaking of, it will be interesting to see what Anwar will do once (and if) power ultimately gets turned over to him, as promised. Will he, having experienced first-hand to be crucified as gay, immoral, and illegal, by his society, lead the charge towards eliminating state-sanctioned prejudice against the LGBT community?
Bring out the popcorn, ladies.
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