Brunei's Anti-Gay Laws

Below are the talking points that I used in THIS Live video:

https://www.facebook.com/terata.hikairo/videos/vb.512871368/10157153678671369/?type=3

·       I’M NOT MUSLIM…. BUT Am NOT making a statement against Islam or Muslims.

·       I do not encourage people to think that homophobia is inherently PART of the religious teachings of Islam, there are Millions of Gay Muslims around the world… some of them are in the Clergy of Islam…. The most famous one being Imam Nur Warsame in Australia, someone I deeply respect.

·       I AM GAY… So am raising this issue… given that it’s come to my attention.

·       Petitions and Hotel Boycotts look great on the surface BUT… at best only apply economic pressure which MAY strengthen Sultan Bolkiah’s resolve to be MORE oppressive… at worst…. Such petitions are just ineffective virtue signalling…..

·       We cant forget too.. Homophobia IS STILL a sad part even of New Zealand Society… LGBT people are NOT completely free of Discrimination here AND LGBT Youth are still the most likely in NZ to die from Suicide.

·       Level headed approach

·       Fine line between…. Supporting human rights internationally (the right to be respected and not discriminated against, the right to life, the right to fair treatment for LGBT+ People around the world) AND…. Upholding the individual sovereignty of a nation

·       I in THIS instance will HAPPILY stand for the Human Rights of LGBT+ People internationally.

·       Little known fact, the large majority of countries still have laws that oppress LGBT+ countries… this includes ‘progressive Western Nations’…. Not all countries all uniformly and consistently support Same-Sex Marriage, Adoption for Same Sex Couples etc.

·       Brunei is unfortunately not the only country where its illegal to be Gay…. Its illegal to be gay in MANY Pacific nations too…. AND even countries where its NOT explicitly illegal, some countries STILL don’t protect the rights of LGBT+ people

·       I personally believe that direct actions might be MORE effective…. Or AT LEAST Raise awareness for Sultan Bolkiah

As such, I propose direct calling his office on +673 2224645 OR +673 2229988

To tell him and his officials exactly what we think…. Let us be under NO Illusion… we may not save the lives of LGBT People in Brunei…. Or we may…

BUT WE CAN 

DEFINITELY Apply direct pressure…. To Sultan Bolkiah