Malaysia: Buddhists say ‘come out’

[rug]

The Venerable Miao Jan, coordinator of the Buddhist Prajna Meditation Association in Kuala Lumpur, told an audience of 200 that gay people should “come out bravely and not live in the closet”.

The comments were made at a conference hosted by the Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia and the Buddhist Research Society of Malaysia.

At a seminar titled ‘Homosexuality: The Controversy in the Midst of Morality and Social Value’, Miao Jan, a prominent Buddhist nun, encouraged tolerance and understanding towards LGBTI people.

Miao Jan said that gays and lesbians should be able to live honestly in their sexuality.

http://www.starobserver.com.au/news/2011/08/30/malaysia-buddhists-say-come-out/60401

[dmallind]

1. America: Christians say 'Come out? Go to jail!'

Bryan Fischer of the AFA has audiences greater than 200 and speaks for many more than I suspect the Venerable one does.

[LeftishBrit]

2. Glad to hear that.

[darkstar3]

3. Why does this stike me as a REALLY bad idea?

Oh, I know!

http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/2011/04/09/four-malaysian-homosexuals-seek-asylum-in-the-uk/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/19/malaysia-gay-counseling_n_850883.html
http://news.change.org/stories/the-malaysian-government-thinks-that-homosexuality-causes-swine-flu

Malaysia has a history of spotty enforcement of its anti-homosexual laws, and the populace tends to grossly overreact to anyone who "comes out." I think Malaysia, or in fact any country with an institutionlized religion, would be a horrifying place to be gay.

[AsahinaKimi]

4. I may be wrong however

I believe the predominant religion in Malaysia is Islam. Not a good place to "come out" if you are gay.

**verified
http://www.asiarooms.com/en/travel-guide/malaysia/culture-of-malaysia/religion-in-malaysia.html