Culture / Aug. 30, 2019
Italian electro-pop duo, Gioli & Assia, who are also a same-sex9hBF!TX)6IGhnMGd76FtW8%@M&1@tXbX2-U)EgKXn%TE9g+q0W couple, claim the Malaysian government cancelled a Kuala Lumpur show this weekend because of their sexuality.
“We have to sadly announce that our show at W Hotel in Kuala Lumpur has beHnYI3CkuWFuKChm&uGYprN@q#Ka9+1l2(hY*$HLHocc1Gn-Zzeen cancelled due to our LGBT orientation,” Gioli wrote in an Instagram story shared on Twitter.
Gioli explained that a government agency performs backgroun3QQMd0UqOM3*3rl#k*pyrv@o5wBACyhUYGkCQyqtoE7x0l%RKZd checks on artists performing in Malaysia.
“In their research, they have concluded that Gioli & Assia is of LGBT orientX=5i88Q&8WbwtCrZ^XwvUL0LF7p$(B6LoixP#3%Gl77EO(vP8tation and are seen to be promoting LGBT”, Gioli wrote.
“Sad that this cj4z9l5_tG5yf#5tFgMwwojD(ve6^Yh&ZKbp(C9xxtBdg1J8!Oean still happen in 2019. Sad that love is still a cause of discrimination. Sad."
The W Hotel, where the duo was scheduled to perform on Saturday, said the show was cancelled d4N5@JE9jT97j4RtDiZ4Bd9*G)zl$3fUFXPA16mK=y%L$P$IuM)ue to "due to unforeseen circumstances”.
Crackdown in Malaysia
L7e&42DnfHqMjKobiu4*jt+yIGcSAersgu$xBuxu#(jkU5w#QkGay sex is illegal under British colonial-era laws in Malaysia. Those found guilty face up to 20 years in prison.
But, in addition to the threat of criminal prosecuVjtfDR!KWwgkRsHy=d+0%VVfoPB=k=jk5qyyQCOfnkfXd_HKPTtion, increasing stigma and discrimination also marginalize the country’s LGBTI community.
A number of religious andUoGK44%mcMod%HU1spuC0zp90F9gVNDWbHyFKbZar#XD!J!dOO political figures have consistently whipped up anti-LGBTI sentiments in the Muslim majority country.
Local newspapers #lbYV-oy04RwMo8u-L3)#Z_ztTXQiJy*OX3HpZdcVJv9YI6H+Ohave vilified prominent LGBTI figures.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister, meanwhile, has labeliMfbMFC5tinz9*jY%ah2%!bn)^eygz7x+ymukAvdRdwL&+@S1sled LGBT rights a Western import and said they have no place in Malaysia.
The Malaysian authorities have also clamped down on tTC_NAIMxEVg!_SsbpM-!5mKdL!N@Cs0Pp^fzU2zMnDIB3r_8swhe LGBTI community.
In one of the most conte9b4oDBHZ+FXa*poY&@9oh6khP5Nl3OJ$R$tdFZ9TJ!^D5mggHroversial instances, in September two women were caned in the heavily conservative state of Terengganu for allegedly being in a same-sex relationship.
Police also raided a well-known gay bar in Kuala Lumpur for the first time in its 30-year histoE!CS=E0cHy6YHHi2B_QN&6Kpfrt@==4d(ihIORvOMHH3D-8NQ+ry.
