KUALA LUMPUR, May 18 — A three-day lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) public awareness campaign that included a pride march that was scheduled for next month in Taylor’s University was cancelled last night.
The event, called “Courage in the Face of Adversity” and organised by its students, was cancelled following protests since Tuesday by pro-Islamists blogs that were incensed it would be held during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
“The Pride event in Taylor’s University has been cancelled and will not happen. Please be informed,” the Campaign for Equality and Human Rights Initiative, or Pelangi, said in a brief Facebook status last night.
Pelangi, one of the supporters of the event, said it will deliver a statement on the matter soon.
There has been no public statement so far from the student organisers, who called themselves “Pride Not Prejudice”, besides the deletion of the event’s Facebook page.
Malay Mail Online is currently seeking verification over the cancellation from Taylor’s University and its School of Communications, both listed as co-organisers of the event.
Other supporters of the event included Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor or EMPOWER, PT Foundation, SEED Foundation, Knowledge and Rights with Young people through Safer Spaces or KRYSS, and Gerakbudaya.
The event planned for June 6 to 8, more than a week after Ramadan begins, would include a movie screening, forum, exhibition, open mic session, and a pride march at Taylor’s Lakeside Campus.
Yesterday was International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, when activists worldwide co-ordinate international events to raise awareness of LGBT rights violations.
The local LGBT community remains in the shadows, particularly Muslims, fearing persecution from religious authorities in the predominantly Muslim country that has religious laws prohibiting same-sex relationships and cross-dressing.
