Malaysian Minister's Controversial Claim: Work Stress Linked to Homosexuality
A Malaysian minister has ignited a firestorm of mockery and disbelief after asserting that work stress can influence individuals to become gay. This bizarre statement has thrust the country's LGBTQ community into the spotlight once again, following recent actions by religious authorities and police.
Increased Scrutiny on LGBTQ Community
The enforcement focus on Malaysia's LGBTQ community intensified two weeks ago when religious authorities and police responded to complaints from a sultan and Islamist politicians. These complaints alleged that a camping retreat was promoting the LGBTQ lifestyle, leading to heightened surveillance and debate.
Minister's Parliamentary Reply Sparks Outrage
In a written parliamentary reply on Tuesday, January 27, Religious Affairs Minister Zulkifli Hasan made the controversial claim. He stated that work stress, along with other factors, could push people into non-heterosexual orientations. Specifically, Zulkifli cited societal influence, sexual experiences, work stress, and other personal elements as possible causes.
"Societal influence, sexual experiences, work stress and other personal factors come under this category [of possible causes]," Zulkifli said in response to a question from Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, a lawmaker with the opposition Islamist party PAS.
Questionable Study Cited
To support his assertion, the minister referenced a 2017 study by "Sulaiman et al," suggesting that the combination of these factors "can contribute to the increase in LGBT acts." However, this citation has been met with skepticism, as many experts and the public question the validity and relevance of such research in explaining sexual orientation.
Public Reaction and Mockery
The minister's claim has been widely ridiculed across social media and public forums. Many individuals have poked fun at the logic behind his statement, highlighting the lack of scientific evidence and the potential harm of such stigmatizing views. Critics argue that this rhetoric further marginalizes the LGBTQ community in Malaysia, where they already face significant challenges and discrimination.
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions between conservative religious elements and human rights advocates in Malaysia, with the LGBTQ community often caught in the crossfire of political and social debates.
