I refer to the article Homosexual’s life of moral decadence.

Over these past few weeks, there has been a slew of articles that have targeted homosexuals in Malaysia. Such an interest in the community only raises questions regarding the sincerity of the articles- are the articles written because the writers woke up one sunny morning and decided to launch a crusade against the ills of homosexuality or are they merely written to please their political masters in order to undermine the credibility of a political figure that has and will change the landscape of Malaysian politics. God forbid it’s the latter, since reporters (and newspapers of repute) just like any other professionals are supposed to have a code of ethics to maintain the standard of reporting which in its true essence unbiased and factual.

The first of many articles was indeed an interesting one. I have to congratulate the writer for the effort taken to pen such a wordy and lengthy article, nevertheless the arguments used are an impasse which would have worked, say, around 20 years ago. From the onset, one already questions the credibility of an author that is unable to distinguish a common noun and a verb thus defining a homosexual in reference to the sexual relationship between the same gender.  

The writer has conveniently pointed out that the direct proof of the exponential growth of homosexuality is the mushrooming of gay clubs. In the past there were probably 2-3 clubs that were frequented by gay patrons.

Some business-savvy person would have realised the potential and spending power of these patrons and decided to establish a gay bar of his own. This went on for a few years, while new ones sprouted and the number of patrons then were spread out and these older bars naturally did not command the same number of crowds like the originals ones did so eventually they were forced to close down. And surprise surprise, the number of clubs in KL is still the same as it was 15 years ago. Blanket statements on the supposed increased numbers of gay clubs are easy to conjure but they are absolutely baseless.

On the other hand,we are definitely seeing an exponential growth in massage parlours, night clubs frequented by heterosexuals. Hence, one should also pen an article titled ‘Heterosexual’s life of moral decadence’, shouldn’t we? As for the shocking discovery of gay comics available for those above 25 for RM50, one would ask how about the manga comics with elements of hentai which are available in reputable shopping malls in KL, JB and Penang? These X-rated comics are actually made easily available for schoolgoing kids for the past few years in the guise of comic bookstores. Would it be fair for us to say that pre marital sex, teenage pregnancy and thus abandoned babies and botched abortions are due to the exposure of children to this sexually charged materials?

What has grown to a worrying trend in Malaysia is the  increase in crime rates, kidnapping (which are often unsolved- where is Sharlinie? Where is Asmawi?), bribery, incest, abandoned babies, premarital sex, politicians with sex tapes and of course price hikes. But instead on focussing on substantial issues, a consumer society in KL is worried about growing trend of homosexuality. (Let me emphasise consumer society. Now if its a religious society, a moral society, or a pro- family society, I would certainly accept it as a credible argument, but a consumer society? What is that about?)

One will not deny that anal intercourse comes with high risks. But are only homosexuals capable of anal sex? Heterosexuals do not have anal sex?  In 2005, a survey conducted by the Centre for Disease Control determined that the incidence of anal relations in the heterosexual population is on the increase. The survey showed that 40 percent of men and 35 percent of women between 25 and 44 had engaged in heterosexual anal sex; in 1992 a similar survey found that only 25.6 percent of men 18 to 59 and 20.4 percent of women 18 to 59 had. The article mentions that each one of our organs has its specific functions. The alimentary canal which begins from the mouth right up to the anus has its purpose for digestion.

If the same logic is used, does this mean that the tongue should not be used for phonation? And god forbid if one uses their mouth for reasons other than eating. Talking and kissing is debauchery which should result in the harshest of punishment. Then again, embryologically speaking, the prostate gland of men is developed similarly as the Skene’s gland which is supposedly responsible for female orgasm (the G-spot).

So besides having hormonal and secretory functions, some research has showed evidence of pleasure to be derived from prostatic manipulation. I underwent years in medical school but in no medical literature does it say that disturbing the peristaltic movement results in emotional damage. The writer fails to point out that peristaltic disturbances does not only occur in anal intercourse (which is in effect only minimally disturbed since the action only occurs in the rectum and not the entire GI tract), but it also occurs in vomiting or in a condition called irritable bowel disease (IBD) in which the motility of the alimentary canal is disturbed or becomes irregular.

In that case, retroperistalsis (as in opposite of peristalsis) which occurs in IBD would require its victim to visit a psychiatrist as they would be emotionally and spiritually damaged since their peristalsis is also disturbed as well.

The idea that homosexual sexual acts are responsible for sepsis, HIV and hepatitis is not only imprecise but also grossly misleading. It is an irresponsible statement that should not be propagated by the medical fraternity as it will promote a mentality that disease transmission is only limited to homosexuals. Who will be responsible if a heterosexual or an intravenous drug user takes that statement at face value and does not practice harm reduction since they think that disease are transmitted by and among homosexuals, and since they are not of that group they are safe hence there is no need for protection?

One only needs to look at statistical reports regarding the prevalence of HIV in Malaysia. According to the WHO consensus report on STI, HIV and Aids epidemiology for Malaysia in 1999, the estimated cumulative total of HIV infections was 44,000 in 1998. HIV is predominantly transmitted through intravenous drug use (IDU) and most IDUs are men. (73% of the HIV infections and 57% of the Aids cases)
 
Some have claimed that there is no difference between adultery and homosexuality. For me, adultery is sinful as the married couple has taken an oath to care for each other and remain faithful in marriage with God as the witness but despite doing that they have chosen to break from the confines of the marriage and indulge in adultery. To whom has a homosexual made a promise too?

Should authorities be concerned about two or three gay nightspots which sees around 400-500 people per week or should they be concerned about straight nightspots and massage parlours which sees patrons in the thousands? Statistically, where do you think there are more illicit drug sales and prostitution? Anyone needs a calculator?

Indeed, there isn’t much account of homosexuality in the Indian community, except that India is the only nation in the world that recognizes the third sex (hijra). Now, by true definition the hijra are a breed of their own in the sense that they will never say that they are gay or neither should they be treated as such. But most of them were men (anatomically at least) to begin with and all the so-called ills of anal intercourse (MSM) can also be associated with their group as well (until of course. they actually undergo a sexual reassignment surgery). And how is becoming a bisexual something which is not in their wishes? If bisexuality is not in the control of the individual, isn’t homosexuality as well?

If homosexuality is not accepted in Hinduism, isn’t alcoholism, and a host of other social ills also not accepted? Shouldn’t Malaysians address such issues first? Shouldn’t we address things that are more tangible which are obviously affecting the socio-economic standard of our society? Shouldn’t influential organisations focus on the uplifting of the society that it’s championing rather than chasing the thing that is least affecting their communities?

Of the above entire article, I believe there is only one sensible part that has some amount of credibility. I do agree that religious authorities should form referral centres to help those who are troubled by homosexuality, but this should also be extended to those who indulge in adultery, premarital sex, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse. Anyone who needs help should be offered help without fear or fervour.

Hardly three decades ago, people of colour were considered to be sub-human. Women - whose only duties were to care and tend to their husbands and children - were practically non-existent in politics or the corporate world. Fortunately through dialogue, understanding, improved scientific knowledge and a more mature and humanistic collective thinking, this has all changed and now the upper echelons of politics and society sees a diversity which has in turn benefitted humanity as a whole.

Similarly, three decades ago, homosexuality was considered a mental disease which required intense psychotherapy and some doctors even attempted bizarre mutilating surgical and hormonal approaches but these approaches have no standing in modern medicine or psychiatry. Finally in 1973, the American Society of Psychiatrists decided to drop its pathologic designation of homosexuality. Now decades of research has shown some evidence that homosexuality is not a matter of choice but could be a matter of genetics and other factors.

It is interesting that there is a healthy discussion regarding homosexuality and the more avenues in the form of articles and discussions open for homosexuals, the more opportunities we get to explain ourselves. And the best way to gain acceptance is actually through education, which we will achieve in due time.