LETTER | We, Celebrating Identities, a group of concerned Universiti Sains Malaysia students and alumni advocates of the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons, strongly condemn the homophobic and transphobic programmes organised by the Persatuan Mahasiswa Islam USM (PMIUSM).

PMIUSM is organising a public forum entitled "Back to the Fitrah: Menyantuni LGBT Kembali ke Jalan Allah" (Help the LGBT return to the way of God) on campus. This forum promotes the conversion of LGBT persons to heterosexuality.

They previously held a similar forum in 2016 and most recently, a video and poster-making contest with the same theme.

We condemn such an approach of “correcting” or “converting” LGBT persons under the guise of religious enlightenment. Their reinforcement of bigoted and outdated theories on the issue of sexual orientation and gender identity is a discriminatory act.

This is also an unmistakable form of intimidation and harassment based on sexual orientation and gender identity that should not be tolerated and supported in any form.

Sexual orientation and gender identity are not binary. They are a wide spectrum that encompass more than merely cisgenderism and heterosexuality.

LGBT people are normal like cisgender and heterosexual individuals, and we believe in the right of members of the LGBT community to feel safe about expressing their gender and sexual identities.

Such “corrective” measures as mentioned have not only been proven to be ineffective, but also bring about more psychological harms to victims of these radical measures.

It is also worth noting that numerous major professional mental health organisations worldwide have affirmed that homosexuality and gender dysphoria are not mental disorders, and have rejected “therapies” that aim to change sexual orientation and gender identity.

Efforts are underway for a public forum focusing on LGBT solidarity to be organised in April. We are hoping to offer alternative perspectives on the issue to promote healthy debate and understanding among the students.

We urge PMIUSM to respect the diversity in sexuality, and end all forms of anti-LGBT rhetoric and activities.

We strongly encourage USM students and members of the public to denounce discrimination towards the LGBT community as we take a firm stand against systemic intolerance, ignorance and bigotry.

CELEBRATING IDENTITIES is group of USM students and alumni who advocate for LGBT rights.

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