Malaysian government replaces the term ‘LGBT’ with ‘deviant culture’

June 23, 2026

The Malaysian government announced it will replace the term "LGBT" with "budaya songsang," meaning "deviant culture," as part of intensifying discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals in the country. A deputy minister justified this change by claiming it would manipulate online algorithms to prevent normalization of LGBTQ+ culture, suggesting that using the LGBT term inadvertently promotes it. This policy shift occurs amid increasing influence from Muslim hardliners pushing for stricter Islamic governance, despite Malaysia's historically moderate approach.

Who is affected

LGBTQ+ community members in Malaysia (307 individuals arrested in 2025 alone; 51 men detained in May raid)
Justice for Sisters organization
Transgender community group SEED and its members
LGBTQ+ content creators and publishers (13 publications banned between 2020-May 2025)
Nearly 48 percent of LGBTQ+ respondents who self-censor due to safety concerns
Participants in canceled wellness programs for LGBTQ+ members

What action is being taken

The government is discontinuing use of the term "LGBT" and replacing it with "budaya songsang" (deviant culture)
Police are conducting raids targeting the LGBTQ+ community
Authorities are arresting LGBTQ+ individuals under federal and state laws
LGBTQ+ organizations like SEED are modifying their communication strategies and increasing internal risk awareness training
Community members are self-censoring their public statements and carefully controlling how they describe programs and share information

Why it matters

This represents a dangerous escalation of state-sponsored discrimination that dehumanizes LGBTQ+ individuals and transforms them from recognized community members into officially labeled "deviants." The terminology change legitimizes hate and violence from positions of governmental authority, directly contributing to discrimination and constitutional rights violations under Malaysia's own Federal Constitution (Articles 5 and 8). The shift reflects a broader democratic backsliding where a leader who campaigned on reform is instead prioritizing political survival by scapegoating vulnerable communities, demonstrating how electoral calculations can override human rights commitments and constitutional principles.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Global Voices