Advertisement

Malaysian newspaper draws anger after printing ‘How to spot a gay person’ checklist

A newspaper in Malaysia has angered activists after publishing a checklist for “How to spot a gay person”.

Campaigners said people’s lives had been put in danger by the controversial article, published in the Sinar Harian newspaper.

The article said gay people have a distinct list of attributes.

It featured bullet points for its readers in Malaysia, where homosexuality is illegal and can carry a 20-year prison sentence.

The list has angered LGBT rights campaigners (Picture: Rex)
The list has angered LGBT rights campaigners (Picture: Rex)

The newspaper claimed gay men like beards and going to the gym, not to exercise but to look at other men.

Gay men also prefer branded clothing, the article claimed.

MOST POPULAR TODAY ON YAHOO UK

It said their eyes light up when they see handsome men, The Guardian reported.

The same article said lesbians can be spotted because they often hug each other or hold hands and like to belittle men.

Activist Arwind Kumar, one of Malaysia’s biggest social media stars, said the article had put lives at risk.

He posted a video on his Facebook page which has been viewed more than 100,000 times.

He said: “There are much more important issues in this country which need to be addressed.

“If you really want to educate society then explain to them the traits of a paedophile, a molester, a murderer, a kidnapper, people who actually endanger the lives of others. How the hell does a gay person endanger your life?

“I know a lot of of really really religious people who love keeping beards. Are you trying to say they are gay? That’s how stupid this is.”

Last year, an 18-year-student was beaten and burned to death by his classmates who said he was gay.