The whole world is now laughing at your newly appointed Religious Affairs Minister who cited a 2017 study saying work-related stress, social influences and a lack of religious practice are among the factors contributing to the involvement of individuals in the LGBT lifestyle.
Maybe it is best the Religious Affairs Minister share the link for that study publicly for the world to do their own evaluation and assessment rather than accepting his interpretation and understanding.
Being gay is not a choice for people.
It is not a learned behavior.
Which also means that people cannot “unlearn” their sexual orientation.
Scientifically, it is proven that being gay is partly genetic and partly determined before a baby is even born.
Effectively, sexual orientation isn’t a learned behavior or a choice.
Scientific evidence indicates that being LGBTQ+ is not a "choice" or induced by social factors, but is instead developed through a complex interplay of biological, genetic, and prenatal factors.
Major scientific bodies and researchers agree that sexual orientation is largely inborn and determined by a mix of factors—primarily biological—rather than by upbringing, environment, or "recruitment".
While sexuality can be fluid over a lifetime for some, the core, underlying orientation is not considered a choice.
Considering that LBGTs are widely and regularly vilified by officialdom in Malaysia, maybe the Religious Affairs Minister conveniently omitted that when one considers the stress or effort involved in concealing one’s true identity, the resulting impact may have on one’s effectiveness in the workplace, the connection becomes more obvious.
Yes, workplace discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in Malaysia is widespread and systemic, driven by a combination of conservative social attitudes, religious laws and a lack of protective legislation.
Transgender people in Malaysia face severe discrimination in finding work, often encountering issues even before the interview stage.
It is a well known fact that LGBTQ+ employees, particularly those who are open about their identity, may face harassment from colleagues, management, or clients.
Rhetorics from some NGOs and religious groups sometimes promote the idea that LGBTQ+ people should be "rehabilitated" or "cured," creating a hostile environment that extends to the workplace.
For some, constantly wondering whether to come out is an ongoing source of stress which can limit the quality and authenticity of their workplace relationships, reduce their productivity and even affect their health.
Being closeted at work means being more guarded about participating in social activities and personal conversations, being less engaged, and as a result, being less authentic.
A recent study of LGBT employees in the UK by Stonewall, demonstrated a positive link between workplace climate and their own productivity and performance.
The report by Stonewall states that concealing sexual orientation at work reduces productivity by up to 30%.
The materials on all the above are so huge that one can easily source for it from the internet.
And the Religious Minister made his statement based on one obscure study that one can’t even locate it using chatgpt.
Please la PMX, advise and caution your Ministers to think carefully before making comments that disparages the country’s image.
Now the country is really a laughing stock in the world.
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