Joe.My.God. LGBT News
The BBC reports:
The Malaysian government is encouraging young people to make videos about “preventing” homosexuality by offering cash prizes. A competition launched on the health ministry’s website offers up to $1,000 (£780) for the best videos tackling “gender confusion”.
The entries should explore prevention and control; issues and consequences; and how to get help, said the site. It is open for 13- to 24-year-olds, and has been condemned by LGBT groups.
The competition, which closes at the end of August, has three main categories: gender confusion, sex, and sex and the internet. The competition website cited gay and lesbian people, transgender people and tomboys as examples of people who suffered from “gender confusion”.
More from Reuters:
Malaysian deputy director-general of health Lokman Hakim Sulaiman said the contest, titled the National Creative Video Competition on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, was to gather views and enhance knowledge among teens on healthy lifestyle practices.
“This creative video competition is purely to tap knowledge and creativity of adolescents on sexual and reproductive health related matters and does not intend to create discrimination to any particular group,” he said in a statement.
The contest on the ministry’s website calls on participants to submit video clips for categories including one on “gender identity disorder”. Its guidelines added that the videos must include elements showing the “consequences” of being LGBT, as well as how to “prevent, control and seek help” for them.
Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia under British colonial era civil laws and also under Sharia law. Punishments can include up to 20 years in prison and public floggings.
Under the rules of Malaysia’s film board, gay characters are not permitted to appear in movies unless they “repent” or are murdered. Despite that edict, the board recently allowed Disney Beauty And The Beast to run uncensored after a worldwide flap about the film’s “gay moment.”