GENERATIONAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS LGBT: YOUTH SENTIMENTS VS MALAYSIAN LEGAL FIELD

ABSTRACT:

The aim of this article is to discuss the gap between the attitude of youth towards the issues of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBT), and the position of the Malaysian legal system. The discussion reveals the tension, difficulties, and directions of social change and legal realities in Malaysia by examining the generational approaches and the legal and institutional reactions. Although the younger generations are becoming more exposed to international discourses of inclusivity and equality via the virtual sphere and academic institutions, the Malaysian judicial system still promotes conservative cultural and religious-based policies. The study identifies the role of the Penal Code and Syariah enactments in the criminalization of same-sex relationships and gender non-conformity in legitimizing social stigma and discrimination.

Meanwhile, there has been a shift in societal attitudes as there is more tolerance among the youth due to generational changes. Media framing is also discussed as an important contributor to shaping the popular imagination, as mainstream sources support negative stereotypes and alternative sources are more progressive. This study places the debate in the context of framing theory, queer theory, and social constructionism to highlight the contradiction between progressive youth ideology and deep-rooted legal conservatism, to provide insight into the opportunities and challenges of aligning social change with law in Malaysia.

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GENERATIONAL ATTITUDE TOWARDS LGBTQ.pdf

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