News and Opinions

Seksualiti Merdeka: Stop inciting hatred against us! We are citizens of Malaysia

Written by sayoni on . Posted in LGBT News & Politics

STOP INCITING HATRED AGAINST US! WE ARE CITIZENS OF MALAYSIA


Press Statement by the Organisers of Seksualiti Merdeka 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Date: 5 November 2011

 

We are saddened that many Malaysians, including people’s elected representatives, have seen fit to relentlessly persecute, stigmatise and discriminate all those who have found a safe space to dialogue and share information and knowledge on human rights during Seksualiti Merdeka’s events.

 

We are Malaysian citizens who are being denied our rights to our identity and self-determination. The false allegations and ill-intended remarks made to incite hate towards us are completely unjustified. They have further marginalized a group of Malaysians that have long suffered severe marginalization in society. As a United Nations Human Rights Council member, the Malaysian government should be ashamed for endorsing and encouraging such intimidation and scare tactics.

 

Online Petition for LGBT Rights at Commonwealth Meeting

Written by sayoni on . Posted in LGBT News & Politics

We would like to call on our readers to sign this petition, addressed to the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, to support his message of decriminalising homosexuality.

Leaders of 54 Commonwealth nations, including PM Lee, will be meeting in Perth from Oct 28-30 for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Reports say that human rights will be an important focus of the summit, with news surfacing that there will be a push for these ex-British colonies to repeal their homophobic laws. The issue on people's minds will be the continuing relevance or irrelevance of the Commonwealth as an institution.

 

Link to petition:

http://www.allout.org/en/actions/wearenotillegal

 

Latest news:

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2011/10/26/commonwealth-secretary-general-backs-gay-rights/

Speaking in Perth, Australia, ahead of the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting, Mr Sharma said Commonwealth countries should “embrace difference” and commit to “tolerance, respect and understanding”.

He said: “We recall the 2009 Affirmation of Commonwealth Values and Principles, which includes a clear commitment to tolerance, respect and understanding. This means we embrace difference, and that includes sexual identity.

Be a Sayoni Volunteer

Written by sayoni on . Posted in Announcements

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Sayoni is actively seeking volunteers to contribute to our growing needs. A wide range of opportunities are available, covering skills as diverse as copywriting, event organisation and academic research. You may volunteer for a one-off/short-term project or for a longer effort.

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    Looking for a Good Lesbian Movie (or Two)?

    Written by alina on . Posted in Entertainment

    This post is by guest writer Dee Mason, who tells us exactly which LBT movies she would recommend to queer women. Guest posts are the personal views of the writers and may not represent those of Sayoni. Please also note that there will be light spoilers for these movies.



    There is something comforting about watching a good lesbian movie. Some of them are weakly plotted and badly acted, but there have been some in recent years which not only have good scriptwriting, but were well-acted and -directed too. In the reviews below I have given a short guide to the plot and some of my own feelings about the movies. Obviously they are my own opinions, but I can’t say I don't hope to influence you into watching them!

     

    The Kids Are Alright (2010)

    les-movies-kidsalright

     

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