Lift the ban on Malaysia' sexuality rights festival
The Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health (APCOM) calls on Malaysian police to lift the ban on the country's annual sexuality rights festival.
APCOM is echoing the concern voiced by PT Foundation and other Malaysian LGBT activists over the blanket ban imposed by police on Seksualiti Merdeka ('sexuality independence'), an annual festival held in the capital Kuala Lumpur.
This year's event was due to take place 1-13 November under the theme "Queer without Fear", advocating for equal rights and human dignity for LGBT communities, with the participation of leading NGOs, artists and activists. However, police declared a ban on the event just as it was about to get underway, a move supported by some Islamic groups in this Muslim nation who say the event promotes homosexuality.
Event organizers and supporters point out that the event advocates for the rights and well-being of LGBT individuals, and is an important vehicle to raise HIV awareness and strengthen health-seeking behaviour in a country where the epidemic continues to spread among vulnerable populations including men who have sex with men.
APCOM calls upon Malaysian authorities to lift the ban which effectively contributes to the significant stigma and discrimination that continues to affect MSM and other vulnerable communities in Malaysia. Stigma is a key driver of the HIV globally and regionally. If Malaysian authorities are to address HIV effectively, and fulfill the country's global obligations in this regard, actions such as the ban on Seksuality Merdeka will significantly hinder, not help, these efforts.
More information
Midnight Poonkasetwattana, APCOM Secretariat
Telephone: +668-5360-5200 (m) +66-2-2554410 (o)
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