COMMENT | Among the headlines today are the cases of Numan Afifi, Indian preacher Zakir Naik, and the 11-year-old child bride. Hopefully, we’ll be able to examine these in turn, starting today with Numan’s case.

Numan decided on Monday to withdraw from working with Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, quoting extreme pressure from right-wing conservatives regarding his background in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) activities.

I think progressives are correct in saying that no one should be discriminated against or denied opportunities to serve their country simply because of their sexual orientation.

To save time, I’ll say up front that I’m not here to angrily condemn and denounce the government, nor am I here to be an apologist for their actions.

The common line taken by centrists and those currently in power is that the new government should focus on more urgent and pressing issues such as tackling the nation’s debt, not feeding the rise of a radicalised far-right opposition, and so on.

I suppose this is not an unexpected response. It may be wise to view completely altruistic and principled behaviour in politicians more as a bonus than as a given.

Nothing I say is likely to discourage people inclined to yell and vent their frustrations at politicians or make them act otherwise, and that is all well and good. They are certainly within their rights.

What I might try to do, however, is encourage a widening of horizons - not to provide another exhortation to be “patient” and think of the “bigger picture” per se, but perhaps discuss some expanded strategies to achieve similar goals.

'Tak kenal maka tak cinta'

Ultimately, politicians often find themselves guided and/or influenced by public sentiment. They are afraid of things that anger voters or make them uncomfortable, and often profess to liking whatever voters like.

Almost all forms of discrimination stem from some level of “tak kenal maka tak cinta” - the Malay saying which basically means we cannot love what we do not know. In other words: We often fear and dislike the unknown.

I posit that many Malaysians with particularly negative feelings towards the LGBT community have very limited exposure to actual LGBT individuals.

If they did, they would likely see the truth - that they are normal human beings, just like the rest of us. The flip side of this, of course, is that people uncomfortable with LGBT people are also humans as well.

Not being able to see this about one another often reduces debate around this topic (or any other) to different sides screaming blindly past one another.

It is not my place to say whether or not a more aggressive assertion for mainstream acceptance of LGBT identities is the right or wrong approach. It is not necessarily the place of someone like me to tell others how they should advocate for what they believe are their rights.

It may not be entirely unfair though, to say that a purely aggressive approach is fairly likely to result in a radicalisation of opposing forces and a sharpening of the conflict.

Those interested in a broader-based approach, however, may find some allies in the few new members of government that have taken a position that does not satisfy all, but still marks a significant step forward.

The few that come to mind are Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Islamic Affairs Mujahid Yusof Rawa, Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, and Klang MP Charles Santiago.

Between the individual and God

Mujahid and Saifuddin appear to emphasise the fact that we should never treat LGBT individuals as less than human.

Mujahid explicitly states that while he personally believes homosexuality is a sin, he believes that such a matter is between the individual and God.

This approach is in line with other conventions in the country. Adultery, for instance, is considered a sin in most religions, but civil law does not encroach on this very common phenomenon in any way.

There are technically laws against “unnatural sex acts”, but these also include oral sex and sodomy between consenting heterosexuals. There is or was also an archaic law criminalising the “seduction” of another man’s wife. For obvious reasons, all these should be decriminalised at the earliest opportunity.

Incorporating Mujahid’s (photo) approach into government policy would basically take the government out of our bedrooms, which would be a huge step forward - albeit probably far from everything on the LGBT wish list.

This could also be a significant step in protecting LGBT individuals from harassment and oppression by the authorities - a problem that has persisted for many years under the previous government.

This is arguably a top priority, as these cases involve serious physical and mental duress, where the victims are often highly vulnerable and have the least access to assistance and advocacy.

The arc of the moral universe

All in all, we are probably on a long road from here to a Malaysia where people like Numan are encouraged to serve proudly and openly.

That said, it is a road well worth taking, whatever the obstacles.

In facing and overcoming those obstacles, there are bound to be differences of opinion. Hopefully, these can be discussed and debated in a spirit that recognises how many of us want the same end result.

As we engage with those of us who feel differently, let us remember not to fall victim to the same problems that cause people to discriminate against LGBT individuals - a lack of empathy and acknowledgement of our shared humanity.

Let us give others the space and respect to have their views, and not lump everyone into the same category. Not everyone who is uncomfortable with non-traditional sexualities and sexual identities is a rabid ignoramus prone to blind hatred or violence. Speaking and engaging with them as respected fellow humans may yield surprising results.

Ultimately, achieving our goals may rely on the strengths of the bridges we can build between communities, and between people with different worldviews.

Let us also take heart that historically, the term “progressive” often just means “ahead of their time”. Other forms of discrimination such as racism and religious intolerance were also once mainstream and institutionalised, and they have fallen by the wayside, like so many other bad ideas before them.

In the meantime, here’s hoping Numan and others like him are given the chance to contribute to the fullest of their considerable potential. Malaysia needs all the help she can get.

NATHANIEL TAN may not get his dream job either. He believes there is no basis for the authorities to be investigating Fadiah Nadwa Fikri for her article.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.