Press statement from Rev. Oyoung Wen Feng
Aug 17, 2011
In June 2011, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution on human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity, thus, it is heartbreaking to hear some politicians in my beloved country call my love unethical or immoral simply because of the gender identity of my lover. Many people in Malaysia, some of them are my friends, some are total strangers, gay and straight alike, have sent me blessings and congratulated me when they learn that I will be marrying my lover. I am deeply touched and moved by their gestures. My country, however, fails to uphold the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is therefore particularly disappointing.
For so long, gay people have suffered from discrimination not because of what we do but simply because of who we are. Our constitutional rights as a human being, taxpayer, and citizen to be treated equally has been denied. Due to ignorance and prejudice, many gay people have to pretend to be someone whom they are not. Many have to hide themselves in the closet of heterosexual marriages, and it hurts their heterosexual spouses deeply. Thus, what I am doing in Malaysia, is not only for gay people, but to send a strong message to heterosexuals that you all deserve to be loved passionately by heterosexuals and no one should cheat on your love for the sake of survival.
Thus, I urge all reasonable and open minded straight people to come out and speak up in order to break the conspiracy of silence, because silence kills. By keeping quiet, many good people have inevitably and unfortunately given their tacit consent to the oppressive culture that promotes homophobia and perpetuate ignorance. When straight people who know better about homosexuality refuse to speak up for gay people, they are guilty of the injustice done to gay people and also to themselves indirectly. It is therefore critical for everyone, especially heterosexuals, to come out and speak up in favour of homosexuals in order to challenge homophobic or social discourse and practice.
As a Christian, I believe in love and I live in hope, I strongly believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity. If we all are willing to work together, I have no doubt that soon and very soon, love and fairness shall wi
