Dust off those schedules, people, Seksualiti Merdeka is coming your way! The theme for the second year is “Our Bodies, Our Rights”.

Do we have the right to privacy? Do we have the right to our own bodies? Do we all deserve to be treated equally regardless of our sexuality?

Yes, yes and yes.

It should not matter if you are single, married or divorced, straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transvestite, intersexed or asexual, everyone has these rights. But are these rights recognised in Malaysia? Should they be? And what can we do about it?

This year, Seksualiti Merdeka calls for everyone to stand together to claim our rights.

Here’s a list of the events that will be happening, take a peek, it looks like a wonderful programme and I personally find that many of these promise to be very entertaining. This is a personal bias, but I want to attend everything under the “Arts” section! Bring your cameras if you do go, people, this will be good.

And I know this website caters to a largely queer audience, but please, bring your friends along; queer or otherwise.

SCHEDULE

Wed 12/8

8.30pm: Talkshow: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

Thu 13/8

12pm: Documentary: CELLULOID CLOSET

2pm: Documentary: BUKAK API

4pm: Documentary: BEFORE STONEWALL

8.30pm: Theatre: THAT’S THE WAY I LIKE IT

8.30pm: Workshop: KAFE BISIKAN SEKS & SEKSUALITI

Fri 14/8

12pm: Documentary: SOUTHERN COMFORT

2pm: Documentary: PECAH LOBANG + SHE’S MY SON

4pm: Documentary: THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK

8.30pm: Theatre: THAT’S THE WAY I LIKE IT

8.30pm: Workshop: KAFE BISIKAN SEKS & SEKSUALITI

Sat 15/8

12pm: SEKSUALITI MERDEKA LAUNCH

2pm: Debate: MORAL POLICING – IS IT JUSTIFIED?

4pm: Book Launch: BODY 2 BODY: A MALAYSIAN QUEER ANTHOLOGY

6pm: Forum: THE LAW & OUR BODIES

8.30pm: Concert: RAINBOW MASSACRE

Sun 16/8

12pm: Tutorial: IT’S A QUEER WORLD – QUEER THEORY 101

12pm: Workshop: THE SEX TALK SHOW

2pm: Talk: Screwed – THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN MALAYSIA

2pm: Forum: WHO’S AFRAID OF SEX?

4pm: Talk: LEGALISING NATURE: HONG KONG, INDIA & SINGAPORE

4pm: Workshop: POLICE POWER

6pm: Discussion: STEP BY STEP

8.30pm: Concert: RAINBOW MASSACRE

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FEATURES

SEKSUALITI MERDEKA LAUNCH

Officiated by Datin Paduka Marina Mahathir. Come celebrate our official launch and meet all the sweaty organisers and cute volunteers of Seksualiti Merdeka. The launch will also feature a song by V-Mix and a performance by young sexuality rights defenders. Refreshments sponsored by twenty.one kitchen+bar.

Sat 15 Aug, 12pm, Gallery 3

Debate: MORAL POLICING – IS IT JUSTIFIED?

Should we allow the State’s “moral police” to dictate how we should behave? This friendly debate revolves around the role of the State and “moral police” in legislating morality, religious convictions and public law. Debaters include representatives from the Bar Council Human Rights Committee and Centre for Independent Journalism – Fahri Azzat, Adiba Shareen Al’Ayubi, Khaizan Sharizad, Gayathry Venkiteswaran and Shanon Shah. It will be moderated by Simranjit Kaur Gill.

Sat 15 Aug, 2pm, Gallery 3

Book Launch: BODY 2 BODY: A MALAYSIAN QUEER ANTHOLOGY

The first of its kind in Malaysia, Body 2 Body: A Malaysian Queer Anthology features 23 original pieces of fiction and non-fiction in English selected by editors Jerome Kugan & Pang Khee Teik. There are cheers and tears, raunch and kink, polemics and politics: a versatile tribute to the rainbow diversity of Malaysia. The launch will have short readings by Shanon Shah, Cheryl Leong, Brian Gomez, Faizad Nik Abdul Aziz, Paul GnanaSelvam dan Maya Tan Abdullah. The book will available for purchase at RM30 each.

Sat 15 Aug, 4pm, Gallery 1

Forum: THE LAW & OUR BODIES

Do the laws that govern sexual practices and sexuality in our country protect our rights? Or do they infringe upon them? Panel speakers from the Bar Council Human Rights Committee including Saha Deva A/L A. Arunasalam, Simranjit Kaur Gill, Lim Kar Mern and Aston Philip Paiva take a close look at the law and discuss just how restrictive they really are.

Sat 15 Aug, 6pm, Gallery 1

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ARTS

Art Installation: TEMBOK MERDEKA

A collective of artists will create an art installation inspired by the 29 Yogyakarta Principles, as well as two interactive walls upon which visitors can record their experiences of discrimination and acceptance. The installation will last throughout the festival. Strike a pose or become a part of the wall!

Talk Show: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

With dance doyen Datin Marion D’Cruz, TV & Radio host Will Quah, actor Mano Maniam, transsexual writer Julya Oui, and Irene Leong, mother of a happily gay daughter. Sharing tales about their lives, passion and relationships, these straight and queer individuals will show how diversity, understanding and love are important foundations for a more accepting society.

Wed 12 Aug, 8.30pm, Gallery 3

Theatre: THAT’S THE WAY I LIKE IT – 3 SHORT PLAYS ABOUT SEXUALITY

In “XX, XY or X?”, Low Ngai Yuen directs Carmen Soo & KK Wong who play a brokenhearted and unfulfilled couple searching for answers from an X-rated video. Meanwhile, in “Bed”, directed by Kwan Chan Fong, a woman (Chin Lee Ling) and a man (Lim Chung Wei) confront the secret life of their dead housemate. Finally, one woman’s driving lessons take her down the road of sexual awakening in “Drive”, directed by Hariati Azizan, performed by Ruza Jajuli and Renita Che Wan. The plays contain mature themes. In English, Malay, Mandarin & Cantonese. Admission by donation: RM25 at the door; RM20 presale passes available at http://www.applause.org.my

Thu 13 & Fri 14 Aug, 8.30pm, Gallery 1

Music: RAINBOW MASSACRE

From “I Will Survive” to “YMCA” to “Bukan Cinta Biasa”, queer anthems teach us to dance, fight, and unleash our inner Dorothy – uniting us in a celebration of the outrageous, tragic, campy and bitchy. Rainbow Massacre presents two nights of queer anthems and comedy featuring some of KL’s best entertainers: Joanne Kam, Jit Murad, Mia Palencia, Shanon Shah, Zalina Lee, Fang Chyi, Maya Tan, Melvin Ho & Friends, with emcees Edwin Sumun & Fahmi Fadzil. Admission by donation RM30 adult; RM25 for students. Passes available at http://www.applause.org.my

Sat 15 & Sun 16 Aug, 8.30pm, Gallery 3

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DOCUMENTARIES

Documentary: THE CELLULOID CLOSET

The Celluloid Closet (1995) is a documentary film about the the Hollywood film industry and its cast of LGBT characters both on- and off-screen, censorship and stereotypes.

Thu 13 Aug, 12pm, Gallery 1

Documentary: BUKAK API

The groundbreaking semi-documentary about the lives of transsexuals on Chow Kit Road, directed by Osman Ali.

Thu 13 Aug, 2pm, Gallery 1

Documentary: BEFORE STONEWALL

This historical documentary is about the LGBT community prior to the 1969 Stonewall riots.

Thu 13 Aug, 4pm, Gallery 1

Documentary: SOUTHERN COMFORT

Southern Comfort is an emotionally touching documentary about the last year in the life of Robert Eads, a 52-year-old female-to-male American transsexual who died of ovarian cancer.

Fri 14 Aug, 12pm, Gallery 1

Documentary: PECAH LOBANG + SHE’S MY SON

Two award-winning Malaysian documentaries (Freedom Film Fest) about two different transgender experiences: one from sex workers’ perspective and one from the mother of a transsexual.

Fri 14 Aug, 2pm, Gallery 1

Documentary: THE TIMES OF HARVEY MILK

Before Milk, there was this documentary of the charismatic gay activist, who became the first openly homosexual person to be elected to public office in America. Featuring real footage of Harvey Milk and his friends.

Fri 14 Aug, 4pm, Gallery 1

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EMPOWERMENT

(The following sessions require registration. Please email your name and the names of the session to: seksualitimerdeka2009@gmail.com)

Workshop: KAFE BISIKAN SEKS & SEKSUALITI

What is the difference between sex and sexuality? And why is sexuality such an issue for control, discrimination and persecution? This introductory workshop to sexuality and sexual rights is presented by KRYSS (Knowledge and Rights for Young people through Safer Spaces). Discuss your views and gain a better understanding of sexuality rights and how they relate to our human rights.

Thu 13 & Fri 14 Aug, 8.30pm, Gallery 3

Workshop: THE SEX TALK SHOW

Are you ready to add sizzle to your sex life? PT Foundation presents a talk show with a panel of sexperts on how to make sex safe, adventurous and fun. Additionally, in a separate private room, trained counselors are available to conduct anonymous HIV screenings with counseling.

Sun 16 Aug, 12pm, Gallery 3

Forum: WHO’S AFRAID OF SEX?

Do you think sex is dirty and shameful? Or beautiful and affirming? What influences your attitudes toward sex? What prevents you from having healthy sex? PT Foundation puts together a panel of experts to help you develop positive thinking about sex.

Sun 16 Aug, 2pm, Gallery 3

Workshop: POLICE POWER

Many of us have fantasies about uniformed hotties, but what happens when you’re actually confronted by the real thing? What to do when the cops stop you for holding hands, raid the disco you’re in or detain you for cross-dressing? SUARAM leads a practical workshop on what is the police’s power and what are your rights when you are stopped, fined, detained or harrassed by them.

Sun 16 Aug, 4pm, Gallery 3

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ACTIVISM

(The following sessions require registration. Please email your name and the session names to: seksualitimerdeka2009@gmail.com)

Tutorial: IT’S A QUEER WORLD – QUEER THEORY 101

Benjamin McKay, Film Studies lecturer at Monash University Sunway campus, introduces us to the joys of Queer Theory; after all, there is no norm, everything and everyone is queer! With film clips from Francois Ozon, Amir Muhammad’s Susuk and Douglas Sirk’s Magnificent Obsession. Now, you too can apply Queer Theory in your daily life!

Sun 16 Aug, 12pm, Gallery 1

Talk: SCREWED – THE STATE OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN MALAYSIA

Not only LGBT folks get bullied in Malaysia. SUARAM presents a crash-course into the overall human rights record of Malaysia, with an overview of the NGOs working in Malaysia. Know your basic human rights, learn about the abuses, and be outraged. Yes, we are all majorly screwed! Let’s all come together for a better future.

Sun 16 Aug, 2pm, Gallery 1

Talk: LEGALISING NATURE: HONG KONG, INDIA & SINGAPORE

Singapore gay equality activist Alex Au discusses recent court cases in Hong Kong and India regarding the repeal of the sodomy law. He also updates participants about the legal situation in Singapore and shares his thoughts about activist strategies for Malaysia.

Sun 16 Aug, 4pm, Gallery 1

Discussion: STEP BY STEP

Movies, massacres and moral policing? What does it all mean? This session is tailored for those who are all fired up and asking, “What next?” Find out how you can transform what you’ve learnt into meaningful action, and how your actions can translate into meaningful change.

Sun 16 Aug, 6pm, Gallery 1

Enquiries:

Please email seksualitimerdeka2009@gmail.com

Or call: 03 2070 1137

www.annexegallery.com

The Annexe Gallery, 2^nd Floor, Central Market Annexe, Kuala Lumpur.

You’re welcome to mail this to your friends, but please do not repost this on your blog or publicise this event in the media without permission from the organisers. If you are interested, please email: worldwithoutpangs@gmail.com.

For the full programme, and more information on the event, visit Seksualiti Merdeka: the official blog.

And just for old time’s sake, here we were, one year ago, painting the mural for Seksualiti Merdeka last year:

If you’re so inclined, view pictures from a day at Seksualiti Merdeka, 2008 (by Tilted World).

You should go for this — it’ll be the biggest all-inclusive, queer-friendly event in KL all year.

One last link: Facebook event page

Party coming up next month, organised by Rainbow Nite and theKLword. It’s a pride party for everyone, and also a pre-Mini O party (the Mini O party is 14th August, a week after KL Pride). The Mini O is a party that leaves an impression, so this associated party could be a blast too:

KLPRIDE 2009 — A Pre-Merdeka/Pre-Mini O Splashbash

As you all know PRIDE is all about celebrating our sexualities and diversity and showing the world, or at least ourselves, that we are proud of who we are.  PRIDE month globally is June which also commemorates the Stonewall riots. PRIDE, at it’s roots, is a political event, a protest, to highlight LGBTIQ rights and to commemorate all those who have fought for this cause…

Expect loads of games to get you wet, specially designed door gifts including a limited edition KLPRIDE 2009 t- shirt while dancing on the the poolside roof top deck as the sun goes down to the sounds of sexy house, RNB and your favourite retro hits.

Pre-Sales – RM50 (comes with limited edition t shirt and one drink)
At the door -RM60

For tickets/info please email theloudgirl@yahoo.co.uk or call Elaine on 016 357 2610 or Teena on 012 250 0878

Links: Facebook event page; The KL Word; DJ Phinans (you may know her as Fasha/one of the Gol n Gincu cast).

[ Update notes: Flyer wording changed slightly; added introduction from KL Word, and omitted part of the invite from Facebook event group as it no longer reflects the inclusive feel the organisers want for the party ]

Come join myself (John Ong of Ongline Podcast) and several other GLBTQ podcasters in 48 hours of live audio webcast to celebrate Pride Month.

Visit Pride48.com to get the detailed schedule. Also visit the same site for the live even this weekend. There will also be a chat room. You can also use the hash tag #pride48 in Twitter to interact with the shows.

I will be hosting two sessions. One is specifically gearing toward my Asian listeners and the other for my American listeners.

Ongline Asia:
June 27: 7AM – 9AM (CDT)
June 27: 8PM – 10PM  (Malaysian Time)

Ongline:
June 28: 4PM – 6PM (CDT)
June 29: 5AM – 7AM (Malaysian Time)

Jakarta [3 June 2009]. On 9-13 August 2009, Bali will host the 9th International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) – the biggest congress on HIV and AIDS in the region. Approximately 3,000 delegates from 51 Asian and 14 Pacific countries are expected to attend this congress. The theme of the
9th ICAAP is “Empowering People, Strengthening Networks” to support a vibrant community of empowered people, all across Asia and the Pacific, to mobilize a holistic and more effective response to the crossborder challenges of today’s HIV pandemic.
The Local Organizing Committee Chair, Prof. Dr. Zubairi Djoerban,Sp.PD-KHOM, who is also the Chair of the Indonesian AIDS Society (Masyarakat Peduli AIDS Indonesia), said “we recognize that ICAAP is the second largest AIDS forum in the world and are grateful for the confidence in Indonesia to host this
important meeting. We are inspired by the decision and will work hard to assure that the congress activities will advance regional efforts to respond effectively to the challenge of HIV and AIDS today and in the future.”

Mr. JVR Prasada Rao, Director, Regional Support Team, Asia and the Pacific, Joint United Nations
Program on AIDS (UNAIDS), added, “the 9th ICAAP promises to be an even better and bigger conference
than previous ICAAPs. There will be evidence-based discussion on whether Universal Access can be an
achievable goal by 2010 for many countries in Asia and the Pacific. Every facet of the epidemic and the
region’s responses are featured in the wide array of session and activities.”

The congress will take place at the Bali International Convention Centre (BICC) in Nusa Dua, and is
scheduled to be officially opened on 9 August by the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Susilo
Bambang Yudhoyono, in a ceremony at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) Cultural Park.

ICAAP is a biennial gathering for the release and discussion of scientific, programmatic and policy
developments in the global response to HIV/AIDS and is convened by AIDS Society of Asia and the Pacific (ASAP).

In his message to the 9th ICAAP, Professor Myung-Hwan Cho, President of ASAP said that
“Indonesia has been given the opportunity to take bold and innovative steps n support of the regional
response to HIV and AIDS. Countries of Asia and other regions will be waiting to see Indonesia take the lead.”

According to the Independent Commission on AIDS in Asia (2008), AIDS remains the most likely cause of
death and loss of work days among people aged 15 to 44. The number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Asia in 2007 is an estimated 5 million, with a number of new infections (380,000) comparatively speaking equal to the number of people who died from AIDS-related illnesses (380,000). In Oceania an estimated 740,000 people were living with HIV in 2007 of which 13,000 were new infections.

Reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on HIV and AIDS requires all member countries to
halt and reverse the spread of the epidemic by 2015; this includes the Universal Access target of 2010 whereby all those who need treatment should also receive it, and the urgency to strengthen each country’s health system to ensure effective delivery of services and response.

Mr Rao continued, “what is really impressive is that the conference will showcase the immense progress
made by community groups, working together and in partnership with government and other partners, in
spearheading the response in many countries in the Asia Pacific region.”

Similar to previous ICAAPs, sessions will be divided into Plenary Sessions where distinguished
researchers, community leaders and policy specialists share the latest information and experiences; 24 symposia on topics such as addressing legal barriers and criminalization of at-risk populations, and a leadership session for delegates from the Pacific region; 64 oral sessions on topics related to prevention, care support and treatment of HIV and AIDS, understanding socio-cultural, economic and political determinants in the AIDS response, and on leadership.

Besides these, 32 skills-building workshops will also be held to help delegates improve various skills that
can apply to their daily work; Satellite Meetings and Exhibitions showcase the efforts of civil society and the private sector in the response to HIV and AIDS.
Distinguished guest speakers will include Michel Sidibe, UNAIDS Executive Director; Michel Kazatchkine, Director of the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM); Kyung-Wha Kang, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights; Dr Nafiz Sadik, Special Envoy for AIDS in Asia and the Pacific; Myung Hwan Cho, President of AIDS Society of Asia and Pacific (ASAP) and representatives from Seven Sisters, Asia Pacific Network of People Living with HIV (APN+), Asia Pacific Network of Sex Workers (APNSW), CARAM Asia, Asian Harm Reduction Network (AHRN), APCASO, APN Rainbow.

A Community Forum will also take place before the congress on 7–8 August, where various communities
each have their own conference to identify and share common issues and experiences. Seven
communities will be represented including people living with HIV (PLHIV); Injecting Drug Users (IDU);
Interfaith; Men who have sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender; Sex Workers; Women, including
Lesbians; and Youth.

The Asia-Pacific Village will be a friendly, fun and colorful venue to celebrate the region’s diversity, with arts and music performances, small group discussions, informal education activities, and regional stalls selling handicrafts and snacks made by people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

The Asia-Pacific Village will be open to the general public. Prior to the official opening ceremony on 9 August, a high-level meeting of AIDS Ambassadors will be held, co-hosted by the First Lady and National AIDS Ambassador, Mrs. Ani Bambang Yudhoyono, and AIDS Ambassador of Australia, Murray Proctor. The AIDS Ambassador’s Meeting will address the role of AIDS Ambassadors in the region in mobilizing greater action and accountability for the response.

For more information, please contact:
Ika Nazaruddin
Pacto Convex
Ph 62-21 571-9973
Ika_nazar@cbn.net.id
Elis Widen
Congress Coordinator
Ph 62-21 571-9973
elis.widen@icaap9.org
Ristya Paramita
Public Information Officer
Ph. 62-21-39838845/46
ristya.paramita@icaap9.org

Friday night announcement for those in KL!: There’s a party tonight in Starhill, organised by forPLU.

For those who don’t want to pay cover charge, read this from the Facebook event page:

Calling all GIRLS/GRRLS/GALS…
Come and join us at ‘GLAM Friday’ @M Circles Starhill 3rd floor, 29th May FRIDAY 10pm…overlooking kl tower and pavilion….dance under the moonlight…
for FREE ENTRANCE pls log on to www.forplu.com or email/sms your (name/email/contact) to
info@forplu.com and 012-2116384 / 016-6728068

the latest and the most glamorous destination for People Like Us on every Friday Night…
Facebook for Girls – ForPLU
Facebook for Boys – Prince World

Dress Code: A reason to be GLAMOUR with a CLASS!
Boys section is available, please check at PrinceworldKL group

Have fun being glamourous and queer, people.

In conjunction, with the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) 2009, TiltedWorld will sign the Internation Appeal to Reject Transphobia and Respect Gender Identity. You can contribute your voice against homophobia too,  by emailing your name or the name of your organization to contact@idahomophobia.org and you or your organization will be added to the list of signatories.

From the official websiteof IDAHO 2009:

Update (May 27):

Why an International Day against homophobia and transphobia ?

In 2008, sexual relations between persons of the same sex were punishable by death in 7 countries and considered to be some form of crime in more than 80 others. In most countries in the world, people from the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transexual, intersex, queer, … community are being denied their fundamental human rights as defined, inter alia, by the Universal Declaration of Human Right, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

The Day has been launched with the idea of creating a worldwide community of activists and committed people, sharing the ideal of a world without homophobia nor transphobia in which everyone can freely choose their own sex life and gender identity.

The origin

In 2005, Louis-Georges Tin, university professor, intellectual, and homosexual rights activist, took the initiative of launching a International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, and founded the IDAHO Committee, an international association aiming at developing this initiative.

Since then, hundreds of associations in more than 50 countries have used the Day to bring about public and political mobilization for LGBT rights.

In addition to being adopted by associations and movements, the Day is now officially recognized by a growing number of countries, provinces, regions, cities, including :
Mexico
Costa Rica
The UK
France
Belgium
the Netherlands
Luxembourg

the European Parliament

And maybe soon Bolivia and surely many others to come

Why May 17 ?

May 17 was chosen because the date is the anniversary of the World Health Organization’s May 1990 decision to remove homosexuality from its list of mental disorders.

This victory of the lesbian-gay-bisexual and transgender (LGBT) cause was a historic step towards considering freedom of sexual orientation and gender identity as a fundamental basic human right.

Actions…

Countless activities are organized by associations all over the world. The IDAHO Committee itself also organizes seminars, events, and conferences every year.

In 2006, the IDAHO Committee launched a petition in favor of universal decriminalization. This petition was supported by many international associations, including ILGA (International Lesbian and Gay Association) and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), and also by many famous people throughout the world : 5 Nobel Prize winners (including Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu), 10 Pulitzer Prize winners (including Edward Albee and Tony Kushner), political leaders (such as Jacques Delors, former President of the European Commission, and Thomas Hammarberg, the Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner), prominent intellectuals like Noam Chomsky and Judith Butler, and celebrities including Victoria Abril, Merryl Streep, Cyndi Lauper, David Bowie, Elton John, etc.

…And results

On the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia 2005, the first public gay and lesbian demonstrations were held in China, Congo, and Bulgaria. These were historic events in each country concerned. In 2006, the IDAHO Committee co-organized the first Moscow Gay Pride.

Results of these activities are not, of course, always solely attributable to the IDAHO Committee or the World Day against Homophobia.
Nonetheless, our work makes a significant contribution to advances in LGBT rights by creating a unique moment when mobilization takes place all over the world, generating in its turn other forms of mobilization and showing policy makers the collective strength of the worldwide LGBT movement.

Organisation

The World Day against homophobia is facilitated by the IDAHO Committee, an international organization created to support, disseminate, and coordinate the Day at international level.

The IDAHO Committee is a confederal network. At national and regional levels, ad hoc coordination mechanisms have been set up to coordinate activities, disseminate information and spur people to action.

A close friend of mine, Josh dropped me an email earlier this evening about a video compilation of various people from all around Singapore talking about homosexuality and the wonderful people they know who have embraced it as part of their identity. Suffice to say it caught my eye; it was the promotional piece for the upcoming Pink Dot event to be held in Singapore this coming May 16th – but despite my interest in the event (which I applaud Singaporeans for taking an active stand), I am perhaps more impressed by the spirit of the interviewees who speak of their friends and family with the utmost pride.

Not shame, not fear, nor of anger – but of pride; full distinguished accepting pride. Because pride is after all what we should all feel when it comes to our sexuality, no matter who we are. Sexuality cannot be defined by race, or color, or status, nor nationality even; it is something I feel everyone should understand and learn more about, rather than hide from.

Watching the video, it reminds me of the earlier days I spent trying to open my parents up to life knowing they have a gay son living under their roof. The earlier days my family pretends that my sexuality is something shameful to the family; to speak of it openly, even amongst ourselves is taboo. The video in its own way, now reminds me of the family I have today – who openly acknowledges that I am who I am, and what my dad playfully likes to refer to as the bengkok (literally “bent”) son, whom no matter what – is still family and for that, will always be loved. It is the same spirit I see in them that I see in the video; on the faces of the people who speak of homosexuality and the people they love.

Pride.

In that way, I feel Malaysia has yet a long way to go in these matters – but that doesn’t mean I ever give up hoping for the day we could all stand as one beneath the flag that unites us all as a nation, the same way all Singaporeans stand united in the foreignness that is sexuality. The East, majorly – has a long way to go yet regarding the full acceptance of different sexualities as part of our identities, but as the Western world progresses, so will we.

To that, before I sign off -  I salute and applaud once again to our neighbors in Singapore for this stand for the unity of differences in sexuality. May the 16th of May mark a great victory in your calendar for change, which in some way – I hope will pave the road for the many other nations in the East to someday follow in your footsteps; a statement to the world that sexuality is not a crime nor a defect. It is our identity. Godspeed.

United we stand; in pride we hold.

Dear all,

In conjunction with the international womyn’s day, a bunch of us (the no name collective), Innerview and Katagender will be organizing a few things to commemorate the struggles of our sisters.

Details:
date: 7th March 2009, saturday
time : 11.00 am – 5.00 ish
venue : rumah FNBKL/PONYO

PROGRAMME
1. Sexuality workshop by Katagender
What is the Malaysian preoccupation with sex? What does our sexual identity have to do with what we can say, do, expect or demand? Is sexuality a private issue or a matter of public interest? Do Malaysians have any rights when it comes to sexuality?

2. DIY cloth pad
We are finally gonna do this. i quote my friend, “tak radical la kalau beli kotex (please replace brand if you dont use kotex)!!!” For this session please bring your own cloth (the older and softer the better. and no polyester or nylon. flannel shirts and pyjamas would be best), good morning towels, ole terrycloth towels, needle and thread, stud buttons. The average womyn will use around 17,000 pads or tampons in her lifetime and pads and tampons are made from products which non-biodegradable.

3. Movie creening + discussion
Libertarias or Leila Khalid: Hijacker. Both films are equally good and they talk about particpation of womyn in revolution.

4. Picnic
The whole event is called the radical feminist picnic (how awesome is that name?). so yeah, we need to have a picnic. to our benefit, we have a park right in front of the house so we will have the picnic there and some of the events in the park out there. we’ll have food, music,company and trees. now it sounds like a hippie event. oh well.

5. Print your own t-shirts
A friend of us from Innerview designed something for the event. So if you bring your own t-shirts, you’d be able to print them yourself. We are going all out with this DIY thing.

For more information on Womyn’s Day, you can check out www.mockmeat.wordpress.com.

Hope to see you there at the picnic!

As some of you may remember, an event called “Tomboys & Angels Fashion Show” was organised in The Annexe Gallery last month. The show was raging, flaming fun, and our audience had a great time.

This is the flyer, designed by Jun Kit (who was also stylist for the show).

In conjunction with Art For Grabs Xmas Special, The Annexe Gallery presents TOMBOYS & ANGELS, a fashion show extravaganza that celebrates gender diversity and outrageous individual expressions of style. The fashion show will feature clothes, accessories and works of art from over forty Art For Grabs arts & crafts stalls, with styling and make up by a team of some of KL’s most vibrant emerging style-meisters led by Jun Kit and Ooi Ying Nee. The catwalk will be an installation that mixes politics and irreverence designed by Lainie Yeoh. From the Tomboys & Angels Fashion show Facebook event page

This is the first post of a series to show you how the show came about (I couldn’t take pictures *during* the event since I was backstage). Some photographs of the preparations before we bumped in our gear to The Annexe were taken. All pics below courtesy of Johnny Mcgeorge, taken during one of the nights we were making accessories, and trying them on for size.

Making accessories. These colourful letters were cut out to assemble into HUGE necklaces. I have a “TOMBOY” one hanging in my room now, and I love it. And now, more photos of the organisers and friends dressing up with stuff designed for the show:
Jerome Kugan, organiser. Works at The Annexe Gallery. Generally awesome and fabulous.

Winnie Ooi (or, Ying Nee, whichever moniker you know her by), who worked very hard co-organising so the show would be a success, but fell sick a few days before the actual event. My ex-colleague for a veeeery brief time in The Nut Graph.

Lainie Yeoh, er, that’ll be me. Am I the only one who finds it awkward to caption / pimp out myself?

Zedeck Siew was there, and subjected to our various fancies of dressing him up with these accessories and taking photographs. Zedeck is currently my colleague at The Nut Graph (and ex-Kakiseni-colleague, and ex-housemate in Bangsar).

That’s the first run of photographs — more to come soon, of the models, make-up artists, runway  and whatever else I can find. Meanwhile, you can read the interview on Fridae.com (a website you should be familiar with): Fashion show to celebrate gender diversity in Kuala Lumpur, Dec 20

Ani DiFranco performing acoustic version of “Out of Range”

I was locked
into being my mother’s daughter,
I was just eating bread and water
thinking nothing ever changes,
and I was shocked
to see the mistakes of each generation
will just fade like a radio station
if you drive out of range

If you’re not angry
you’re just stupid
or you don’t care
How else can you react
when you know
something’s so unfair
The men of the hour
can kill half the world in war
make them slaves to a super power
and let them die poor

There’s one big reason to visit Singapore come 10 Feb, 2009. Grammy award winner, Righteous Babe Records owner, feminist icon and lesbian favourite singer-songwriter Ani DiFranco will be performing in the Esplanade.

I love the woman’s work, I do. And while I might slide off my chair at the idea of some idol worshipping in Singapore, budget and time constraints will most likely prevent me from doing so (sponsors, anyone?). Still, for those who are fortunate enough to have the opportunity, head on down to Singapore for Ani’s gig.

More information available at the SISTIC website.