Seksualiti Merdeka is The Annexe Gallery’s inaugural three-day series of forums, workshops, storytelling sessions and film screenings devoted to the theme of sexuality rights in Malaysia.

Seksualiti Merdeka will take place on 29, 30 & 31 August in conjunction with our Merdeka celebrations to address the fact that 51 years after independence, not all Malaysians are free to be who they are. Many of us are proud productive citizens of the country, yet we live double lives, pretending to be somebody we are not; fearful we may lose our jobs, our families, our lives, the moment someone finds out who we truly love. It is time to ask, why this has to be. Cause, as the song says, if one of us ain't free, none of us are free.

Seksualiti Merdeka will be held in conjunction with ART FOR GRABS, the popular Annexe art bazaar, as well as INVENTING MALAYSIA, an exhibition, series of lectures and screenings of pre-Merdeka films shot in Malaya by foreigners, curated by Dr Farish A Noor and TheOtherMalaysia.

Check out the full listing of Seksualiti Merdeka events below.

+ + + +

FRI 29 AUG

SEKSUALITI MERDEKA OPENING EVENT

8pm - 10.30pm
Film: “Comolot” by Mohd Ikram Ismail, “Pangyau” by Amir Muhammad and “Arisan” by Nia Dinata.
(Gallery 1, 2nd Floor)

+ + + +

SAT 30 AUG

12pm - 2pm: Forum
TO LIVE WITHOUT FEAR – Dealing with violence against transsexuals
This forum will discuss different kinds of violence, including violence by the authorities, but also violence by individuals and communities towards mak nyahs. However, we will also be hearing perspectives from interesting individuals who have formed interesting bonds (personal and professional) with the mak nyah community, and how it is only through reaching out and attempting to understand one another that we can overcome violence towards any human being.
(Gallery 4, 1st Floor)

3pm - 5pm: Forum
PROBING SEXUALITIES – Recent research into sexual diversity in Malaysia
Papers: "Queering The Mall: The appropriation and re-appropriation of public spaces in sexually diverse Kuala Lumpur" by Benjamin McKay, Monash University; "Negotiating sexuality and faith in the narratives of GLBTQs" by Sharon Bong, Monash University. "Uncovering the multiple meanings of gendered identity among women of same-sex sexuality in Kuala Lumpur", by Yuenmei Wong.
(Gallery 4, 1st Floor)

6pm - 7.30pm: Lecture
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF HOMOPHOBIA – Find out if you fit the profile
Singaporean AnJ Ho will take you inside homophobia, to find out from the perspective of research: What constitutes homophobia? What's the profile of a typical homophobe like, and what might make a difference?
(Gallery 4, 1st Floor)

8.30pm - 10.30pm: Storytelling
HEARTBREAKERS ANONYMOUS – Stories from the LGBT community

Featuring Jit Murad, Dara (of Air-Con), activists from Malaysia and Singapore, and others, sharing their stories about growing up queer, fighting for human rights, etc.
(Gallery 1, 2nd Floor)

+ + + +

SUN 31 AUG

12pm - 2pm: Lecture
FROM PANJI TO THE PRESENT – A short history of sexuality in Malaysia and South East Asia
This lecture by DR FARISH A NOOR is a part of TheOtherMalaysia's presentation: Inventing Malaysia - Constructions of Malaya during the Colonial Era to the Present in film, photography and the popular imaginary" in the next room on the same weekend (Gallery 5, 1st Floor)

3pm - 5pm: Workshop
TONGUES OUT – Borak-borak on our sexuality landscapes
Explore and question what it means to have a sexual identity – and why some identities are more accepted than others. Who has the right to say what is wrong, and what is right? Why are sexualities such an important but unspeakable parts of who we are? How do we deal with or challenge our fears of the unfamiliar?
(Gallery 4, 1st Floor)

6pm - 7pm:
MALAYSIAN ARTISTES FOR DIVERSITY
With Nikki, Ida Nerina and more. If you are a Malaysian artist(e) and would like to voice your support or dedicate a song to the community, please contact us!
(Gallery 1, 2nd Floor)

+ + + +

FREE ADMISSION TO ALL EVENTS!

PLEASE INVITE FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES WHO ARE SUPPORTIVE. MERDEKA! MERDEKA! MERDEKA!

Note: If you would like to publicise this event on your blogs, etc, please ask our permission first. We would prefer only online publicity for the moment. Thanks!

Contact: \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it