A Malaysian newspaper has copped some serious backlash after publishing a checklist of traits for identifying gays and lesbians.
Sinar Harian offered readers a number of tips in bullet-point form on how to recognise homosexuals, writing that gay men like to wear tight, branded clothes to show off their “six packs”, adore bears and moustaches, and that their eyes widen when they see handsome fellas.
As for lesbians, the newspaper wrote that they hate men and enjoy belittling them, love to spend time by themselves, and enjoy hugging one another and holding hands.
Unsurprisingly, the checklist caused a massive uproar across social media…
GUYS! Finally a comprehensive, fool proof list of ‘How to Spot a Gay’ courtesy of Malaysian paper Sinar Harian. If you’re worried, terrified or just plain curious then here you go! #LGBT PS: Homosexuality is illegal there FFS. Someone give them a ring & let them know its 2018. pic.twitter.com/RceKFaLKGH
— Annabelle Knight (@MissBelleKnight) February 12, 2018
Sinar Harian literally portraying itself like a toilet paper, rather than a “newspaper”
— Bhavan (@Bhavan29) February 13, 2018
@sinarharianSH you serious? You’re allowing this kind of homophobic, baseless, senseless article on your paper? This generalisation is unbelievable! What rubbish is this?!
No wonder people mostly use Sinar Harian to bungkus nasi lemak! Because it’s not worth keeping! pic.twitter.com/wPwE9QqEEN
— Hubert Mr. Marvellous (@iHubertLee) February 9, 2018
The Sinar Harian article clearly depicts how the media in Malaysia chooses to highlight irrelevant issues instead of shedding light on how to stop discrimination ,what happened isn’t a religious issue, it’s an insight on how bullying can be triggered and why it is still happening
— Cytotoxic (@shasmeethanair1) February 13, 2018
It’s important to note that the Malaysian government considers sodomy a crime and allows for campaigns against homosexuality.