Gay and Lesbian Guidelines?

The entire Facebook community country was stunned by the news of Ministry of Education publishing guidelines to identify symptoms of homosexuality among youth. The purpose of the guideline, according to officials, is to help parents identify signs of homosexuality in their child.
The news was featured in newspapers in the UK and a talk show in the US, severely damaging the image of Malaysia.

Image: facebook.com

Image: homorazzi.com

Symptoms of gays: 
1) Likes having a fit body and likes to show off by wearing V-neck and sleeveless clothes; 
2) A preference for tight and bright-colored clothes; 
3) Attraction to men; and 
4) A preference for carrying big handbags, similar to those used by women 

Huge bag? Problem? Image:dailymail.co.uk

Symptoms of lesbians: 
1) Attraction to women; 
2) Besides their female companions, they tend to distance themselves from other women; 
3) A preference for going out, having meals etc. with women and a preference for sleeping in the company of women; 
4) Not attracted to men

I believe they have forgotten to include the following for gay people though:
1) Exceptionally talented (example- Leonardo Da Vinci, Elton John, George Michael, and Jesse Bering)
2) Highly civilized and peace loving (gays don't push another guy down the MACC building for no reason)
3) VERY healthy (according to the ministry's guideline, gays are muscular--meaning they are way fitter than most straight men)
4) Environmentalist (plastic bags are redundant when you're carrying a huge bag)
5) Like to have eye contact with other men, which is often misinterpreted as a sign of politeness.

Gays are highly talented. One such example is Leonardo Da Vinci. Image: leonardo.net

On a serious note though, I think the decision to openly discriminate young homosexuals is downright ridiculous. It's true that we live a rather conservative society, and when we recognize someone as gay or lesbian we tend to keep it to ourselves--we do not endorse, and neither do we condemn them because, well, it's their right to choose their own partner.

Sir Elton John and partner David Furnish. Image: news.bbc.co.uk  

Singer George Michael and partner Kenny Goss Iamge: theage.com.au  

One of my favorite bloggers, Jesse Bering. Image: books.scientificamerican.com

And this bigoted stereotyping by the Ministry of Education could severely trample the dignity of young homosexuals, eviscerate their confidence, and not to mention damaging the reputation of our country.
There is no definite evidence to suggest that gay men like wearing v-neck, having a fit body, prefer light-colored clothes and carry huge bags. There are literally thousands of men working out every other day in the gym for the sole purpose of staying fit, and there are thousands more who, like me, carry huge recycle bag to do our grocery shopping. Some All of the symptoms listed are an insult to straight men who wish to exhibit the results of their hard work at the gym, and to people like me who, in the presence of a couple, prefer to have more conversation with the guy to avoid any misunderstandings (you know, some boyfriends can get restless when their girlfriend talk to strangers).

The "symptoms" listed in the guideline are nothing more than dilettante opinions of laymen on homosexuals. How can anything not fully backed up by proper scientific evidence be allowed to be endorsed as "guidelines" by a supposedly-professional government ministry? This proves the level of professionalism of our government agency, and in fact it reminds me of the case of the 55th Merdeka Day celebration logo, which was allegedly designed by a front-desk clerk rather than a professional graphic designer.

The 55th Merdeka Celebration logo. Seriously I could do better than this. Image: faizalnizam.com  

The consequence of the guideline could be huge. In fact, the prevalence of homosexuality can provide a boost to our economy. In New York, for example, gay marriage is a huge business nowadays.

"Since gay marriage was legalized in New York state a year ago, marriage license fees, local celebrations and wedding-related purchases have boosted New York City's economy by $259 million"--New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg. 

We have yet to come across the issue of legalizing same sex marriage, but had we not been smart enough to voice our outrage, and adhere blindly to government-issued guidelines like North Korean, businesses like the fashion industry and health industry could be affected--some people would stop going to the gym, stop buying v-necks and huge bags.

Image: 76crimes.com

There is no clear method to distinguish homosexuals from straight person. Until you put two of them on bed. The guideline must go.
Again, it's imperative to note that I do not endorse nor do I reject homosexuality in my community. Malaysia is a democratic country after all.


Malcolm
info:
http://money.cnn.com/2012/07/24/pf/gay-marriage-economic-impact/index.htm
http://gawker.com/5943307/malaysian-education-ministry-releases-hysterically-stereotypical-guidelines-for-parents-looking-to-detect-homosexual-symptoms-in-their-children