LGBTQ rights in Malaysia

LGBT rights are absent in Malaysia . Malaysia stands under heavy influence of Islam and homosexuality is technically illegal. LGBT Malaysians are often seen as immoral and treated as deviants and criminals. There is a national gay organization in this country, which receives little support. However, in practice more affluent Malaysian society is more tolerant of homosexuality than neighboring Indonesia, where it is not illegal. As homosexuality is a crime, Malaysia does not recognize same-sex unions or have anti-discrimination laws for sexual orientation or gender identity .

Rights of LGBT people in Malaysia The PT Foundation , an LGBT centre in Malaysia Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Malaysia face legal challenges not experienced by non- LGBT residents. Sodomy is a crime in the country, and social attitudes towards the LGBT community are shaped by Islam , the official state religion of Malaysia. Human Rights Watch states that "Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is pervasive in Malaysia." "Malaysia cannot accept same-sex marriage, says Mahathir" . "Malaysia cannot accept same-sex marriage, says Mahathir" . swissinfo.chn .

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender ( LGBT ) people in Malaysia face severe challenges, prejudices and threats not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Sodomy is a crime in the country, with laws strictly enforced. Extrajudicial murders of LGBT people have also occurred in the country. There are no Malaysian laws that protect the LGBT community against discrimination and hate crimes . As such, the LGBT demographic in the country are hard to ascertain due to widespread fears from being ostracised and prosecuted, including violence. In 2015, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that "Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is pervasive in Malaysia." Over the years, there have also been cases of violence against individuals in Malaysia based on their sexual orientation, and are tolerated by the state. Conversion therapy is practiced regularly in the country and is openly promoted by politicians and religious leaders, with many coerced into doing so. In 2023, the Global Trans Rights Index ranked Malaysia as the second worst country in the world in terms of transgender rights, only after Guyana . With widespread anti-LGBT conversion practices, discrimination, and violence in the country supported by the state, Malaysia is one of the most homophobic countries in the world. Social attitudes towards the LGBT community in the country are largely shaped by Islam , the official state religion of Malaysia, although a significant proportion of Malaysians of other religions such as Christians also holds strong homophobic views. Ever since at least the 19th century, mores of Malaysia strongly disapproves of homosexuality and transitioning , which impacts public policy. As a result, LGBT rights are not pursued by any political parties. "Malaysia cannot accept same-sex marriage, says Mahathir" . swissinfo.chn . The Deceased Can't Speak for Herself:" Violence Against LGBT People in Malaysia" . The Star . 24 August 2018 . Human Rights Watch . 25 January 2021 . Asher & Lyric . 5 June 2023 . " "I Don't Want to Change Myself" " .

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer ( LGBTQ ) people in Malaysia face severe challenges not experienced by non-LGBTQ residents. Although same-sex identities alone are not criminalised under the law, the act of sodomy (anal sex) is a crime in the country, with laws enforced arbitrarily. Extrajudicial murders of LGBTQ people have also occurred in the country. There are no Malaysian laws that protect the LGBTQ community against discrimination and hate crimes . As such, the LGBTQ demographic in the country are hard to ascertain due to widespread fears from being ostracised and prosecuted, including violence. In 2015, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) stated that "Discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people is pervasive in Malaysia." Over the years, there have also been cases of violence against individuals in Malaysia based on their sexual orientation, which has been tolerated by the state. Conversion therapy is practiced regularly in the country and is openly promoted by politicians and religious leaders. In 2023, the Global Trans Rights Index ranked Malaysia as the second worst country in the world in terms of transgender rights, only after Guyana . With widespread anti-LGBTQ conversion practices, discrimination, and violence in the country supported by the state, Malaysia is one of the most homophobic countries in the world. Social attitudes towards the LGBTQ community in the country are largely shaped by Islam , the official state religion of Malaysia, although a significant proportion of Malaysians of other religions such as Christianity also holds strong homophobic views. Since at least the 19th century, the mores of Malaysia have strongly disapproved of same-sex relationships and transitioning , which has shaped public policy. As a result, LGBTQ rights are not pursued by any political party. "Malaysia cannot accept same-sex marriage, says Mahathir" . swissinfo.chn . Human Rights Watch . 10 August 2022 . "[We] were sort of told to suppress it," Alan G. said, on the grounds that "it's illegal," although the law bans same-sex conduct, not identities. The Deceased Can't Speak for Herself:" Violence Against LGBT People in Malaysia" . Human Rights Watch . 25 January 2021 . Asher & Lyric . 5 June 2023 . " "I Don't Want to Change Myself" " . Human Rights Watch . 10 August 2022 . Human Rights Watch . 10 August 2022 . There are <ref group=lower-roman> tags or templates on this page, but the references will not show without a template or template (see the help page ).