KUALA LUMPUR, June 7 — The Ministry of Health has pledged to remove references to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in its controversial video competition targeting adolescents following a meeting with several activists and members of civil society.
Transgender activist Nisha Ayub, who was at the meeting, told Malay Mail Online that the ministry agreed to make the changes to the video competition by tomorrow.
“They basically agreed to replace the term gender confusion with gender and sexuality, and also drop any references to the LGBT community,” Nisha said.
The ministry came under criticism after promoting a video competition called the National Creative Video Competition on Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, in which contestants could submit videos on how to “prevent homosexuality” and also about “gender confusion”.
The meeting was hosted at the ministry’s headquarters in Putrajaya, and led by the director of the Family Health Development Division in the ministry.
It was also attended by representatives from the Malaysian AIDS Council and other activists.
“It was a very meaningful and interactive meeting, the whole competition was targeted at adolescents as to how they can practise a healthier lifestyle,” she added.
“They said it will be changed by today or tomorrow, and the changes will be reflected in their website,” she said.
Nisha thanked the ministry and said that she was “humbled” by its act of inviting the LGBT community to its office in Putrajaya to discuss the issue.
“I think other ministries should also take positives from MOH from their fast and responsible action,” she said.
