theSun | THURSDAY OCTOBER 30 2008
INTERVIEWS VIEWS
Me, my body, my mind
by Bissme S
“NOBODY can tell you what
you can do and what you can’t
do with your body,” says Pang
Khee Teik, art programmes
director of The Annexe.
“When one person manages
the most inner part of you
which is your sexuality and
your desires, then you are a
nobody.
“When you give someone
else the power to tell you what
you can do with your body,
you’re ultimately giving that
person the power to control
your mind.”
His voice was one of many
heard at Seksualiti Merdeka
in late August. The three-day
event included workshops
and forums addressing sexual
identity issues.
Interestingly, it was not
just what academicians and
activists had to say but also
common folk speaking about
their personal experiences and
tragedies.
“We wanted the public
to hear voices and stories
of those who have been
discriminated against and
whose lives have been a living
hell,” says Pang, who initiated
the event with Jerome Kugan,
The Annexe’s media manager.
“There has been lot of
injustice and unfair treatment
of fellow Malaysians in the
name of morality.
“In the end, the public still
have the right to disagree with
them.
“But let us hear their
story first before making any
judgment. We want to create
compassion and promote
understanding.”
One seminar, “To Live
Without Fear: Dealing
With Violence Against
Transsexuals”, highlighted
the prejudices against this
community.
The event’s success
prompted Pang to make
Seksualiti Merdeka, a yearly
event.
He said sexuality rights
is not only about the right to
have sex with whomever you
want but also the right to be
responsible.
Angela M. Kuga, a trustee
with KYRSS (Knowledge &
Rights with Young People
through Safer Spaces), says,
“When two adults have
consensual sex, it should not
be considered a crime.
“We are also under the
impression that all religions
reject people of different
sexuality.
“There are religions which
have no position on people of
different sexual orientation
and there are some religions
that do. Interestingly, the same
text is interpreted differently.”
She felt the event also gave
people the opportunity to know
more about sex education.
“More young women are
worried about unwanted
pregnancies than AIDS, HIV
and sexually transmitted
diseases. All these concerns
were addressed in the event.”
She also felt the scope
for sex education has to be
widened.
“Sex education is not about
learning about your bodies
and preventing diseases,” says
Angela.
“It should also be about
building your self-esteem,
handling peer pressure and
appreciating your lover.”
Not so long ago, Angela
gave a talk in a university and
was surprised to find many
of the female students were
gullible. She said that some of
the students even believed that
they would not get pregnant if
they had sex at a certain time
of the day.
Next year, Seksualiti
Merdeka intends to target
parents with children of
different sexual orientation.
“Society is so negative
towards people of different
sexuality and it is only natural
for the parents to worry about
their children’s welfare,” says
Angela.
“We want to provide a
platform where the parents
can talk about their concerns
and their anxieties.
“We are searching for
parents who are willing to talk
and discuss these issues.”
Pang said that they want to
Pang ... Wants work closely with the media.
to promote “We want the media to
understanding report fairly when they are
doing stories on people with
different sexuality,” he says.
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“If the media quotes
someone saying people of
different sexual orientation
are promoting moral decay, it
should also get the other side
of the coin.”
Yuenmei Wong, a volunteer
at the event and recipient of
the 5th Research Award from
the Southeast Asia Consortium
on Gender, Sexuality and
Health wants to highlight
companies willing to hire
transsexuals.
“We want these companies
to be role models for other
companies,” she says.
Yet, Seksualiti Merdeka may
have raised some eyebrows
and ruffled more than a few
feathers. “I am not doing
anything wrong,” says Pang.
“I am simply allowing
people to talk about their
sexuality and to be confident
about their bodies.
“I would not deny that I had
some fears when I wanted to
organise this event.
“It is my dream that one
day I will organise this event
without having any kind of
fear at all.”
He dismissed the notion
that the event promotes
homosexuality. “It is not
lifestyle that you can promote,”
he says.
“You are either homosexual
or not. I feel we are promoting
people to be responsible.”
His personal vision is that
the country will recognise
them for who they are and
their contributions, and not
who they love and sleep
with.