Rilek1Corner

Tag: homosexuality

  • 1 Family Plans To Do Crowdfunding For Legal Fees After 2 Singaporean Men Jailed For Crossdressing In UAE

    1 Family Plans To Do Crowdfunding For Legal Fees After 2 Singaporean Men Jailed For Crossdressing In UAE

    Mr Fadli Rahman, 26, a fashion photographer, and Nur Qistina Fitriah Ibrahim, 37, were arrested on Aug 9, with an official court document in Arabic saying two Singaporean men were caught for wearing women’s clothes in public and for behaving indecently.

    The Straits Times reported that Nur Qistina is a transgender person who had legally changed her name but has not undergone gender reassignment surgery to become a woman.

    The pair, who had arrived in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Aug 8, were arrested while out buying lunch at a shopping mall and were sentenced on Aug 20.

    Cross-dressing, homosexuality and transgender behaviour are crimes in the UAE.

    Mr Fadli was in Abu Dhabi for a photo shoot. He had previously worked on TV show Mongolia’s Next Top Model, and fashion magazines Her World and Men’s Folio.

    The New Paper spoke to Mr Fadli’s brother, Mr Saiful Rahman, 32, yesterday. The property officer said the family last had contact with Mr Fadli when he sent a selfie on Aug 9.

    Mr Saiful said the family then heard of the arrest from Mr Fadli’s friends on Aug 14.

    When asked how his parents reacted to the news, he said: “My parents were crying and worried about him over there.”

    He added: “We just want him back. We want him back safely. They can even deport him.”

    The two men have until Sept 4 to appeal against their sentence.

    When contacted, a spokesman from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told TNP: “MFA is aware of this case and is rendering the necessary consular assistance. We are also assisting the family to seek legal advice.”

    Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, in an e-mail to the family seen by The Straits Times, said: “I’m sorry to hear about this. Rest assured that our consular and mission colleagues will do their best to assist your brother. I understand that they are already in contact with you and your brother. Please let me know if you need further assistance.”

    Mr Saiful said the family have reached out to a lawyer in Abu Dhabi, Ms Stephanie Mouanes, an associate at Al Suwaidi & Company Advocates & Legal Consultants.

    Speaking to TNP over the phone yesterday, Ms Mouanes said she had been in contact with the family but would not be able to furnish any details about the case until they officially appoint her.

    Mr Fadli’s family and friends are planning to launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for his legal fees.

     

    Source: http://www.tnp.sg

  • Why Is The Malay Mainstream Media Keeping Mum About Pink Dot?

    Why Is The Malay Mainstream Media Keeping Mum About Pink Dot?

    With the Pink Dot happening tomorrow, the Malay mainstream media is still not reporting anything on it. Silence on the issue does not translate to the Malay community being disinterested in the issue of homosexuality. Are there no homosexuals in the Malay community? The issue, at the minimum, has to be discussed in the public sphere so that our community can guide these homosexual individuals to the right path.

    Yes, you may argue that some scientific research found that homosexuals are born with it, and it is not a matter of choice, and even so, that leaves us a room to participate in discussions on how best to help these homosexual individuals. By keeping quiet, we are not doing enough to help our fellow Malay community members who are homosexuals. The Malay mainstream media has to get the discussion going to get a sensing on how the Malay community feels about the whole issue. Let’s not deny the very existence of homosexuals in our community by keeping quiet.

    Some individuals from the Malay community have written to Rilek1Corner to express their disappointment and are upset that Pink Dot is happening yet again this year, and that they are having a hard time explaining to their  children about the whole homosexuality issue and what Pink Dot aims to achieve out of the yearly Pink picnic. They are concerned that their children may somehow be influenced by such unIslamic lifestyle. It is about time that as a community, we should start the discussion going. As a voice of the community, the Malay mainstream media should get the ball rolling by initiating discussions on homosexuality.

     

    Rilek1Corner

  • Robin Costume Among Those Confiscated During Raid Of Gay Party In Jakarta

    Robin Costume Among Those Confiscated During Raid Of Gay Party In Jakarta

    JAKARTA • Indonesian police have detained 141 men who were allegedly holding a gay party at a sauna, an official said yesterday, the latest sign of a backlash against homosexuals in the Muslim-majority country.

    Officers had on Sunday night raided a building in the capital Jakarta, called Atlantis, that houses a sauna and a gym, and halted an event they said was called “The Wild One”.

    “Our officers did an undercover investigation and raided the place on Sunday,” said senior detective Nasriadi, who goes by one name.

    Homosexuality and gay sex are legal everywhere in Indonesia except in conservative Aceh province, but Mr Nasriadi said that 10 of those arrested in the Jakarta raid could be charged under Indonesia’s tough anti-pornography laws.

    The 10 men include the alleged organisers of the event as well as those suspected of being prostitutes and striptease dancers. Those found guilty of breaking the laws face up to 10 years in jail.

    The others detained are still being questioned by police as potential witnesses in the case, the detective said.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Disney Lodges Appeal On ‘Beauty And The Beast’ Ban In Malaysia

    Disney Lodges Appeal On ‘Beauty And The Beast’ Ban In Malaysia

    KUALA LUMPUR: In a new twist to the ongoing Beauty and the Beast saga in Malaysia, Walt Disney has lodged an appeal with the Home Ministry about passing the film without cuts.

    But Malaysian Censorship Board (LPF) chairman Abdul Halim Abdul Hamid said: “Movie companies cannot impose conditions on LPF. We will not budge.

    “As far as I know, Disney has already sent a notice of appeal to the Film Appeal Committee under the Home Ministry, so now the decision of whether to release the film without cuts is up to them.”

    Yesterday, Malaysia’s Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz said Walt Disney was right in refusing to edit Beauty and The Beast, as he criticised the country’s censors for cutting a “gay moment” in the movie.

    “If you edit, the plot will not be the same any more,” Mr Nazri, who is also an MP with the ruling Umno party, said.

     

    Source: www.tnp.sg

  • WAAPD: Reject PinkDot & LGBT Agenda Through Intellectual, Policy Engagement, Not Violence

    WAAPD: Reject PinkDot & LGBT Agenda Through Intellectual, Policy Engagement, Not Violence

    Message from waapd admins In response to the recent post on violence.

    WAAPD is made up of a cross section of Singaporeans from all walks of life, belief systems, ethnicity, gender and creed.

    We were set up to discuss the attempt to promote a homosexual movement in Singapore. This movement is not part of our traditional family values.

    We are clear that our position is to reject the promotion of the homosexual lifestyle.

    We do not condone the advocacy of violence.

    As is expected in a group of thousands of Singaporeans, we will not know the inclination of every member.

    We would like to inform every WAAPD member that we will delete any post that promote violence as they come to our attention.

    We would also not hesitate to report such matters to the authorities and ban the member from the group if we believe a threat is real.

    WAAPD is a public advocacy group.

    PinkDot and the homosexual movement should be rejected through intellectual and policy engagement.

    We are confident that our members can come together and engage on that level.

     

    Source: Syed Danial in We Are Against PinkDot in Singapore