The Ministry of Education in Malaysia
has endorsed a guide to assist parents in spotting “homosexual
symptoms” in their kids so they can “take early corrective
measurements.”
The government's endorsement of the
guide has whipped up controversy on the Internet.
According to the guide, parents should
be concerned by boys who have a “fondness for showing off the body
by wearing clothing, such as by wearing v-necks and sleeveless tops,”
prefer “tight and bright coloured clothes” and tend to carry “big
handbags.”
Another “homosexual symptom” for
boys is “an inclination to be attracted to men.”
Symptoms in girls include “showing
attraction to women,” “a preference for hanging out, sleeping and
dining with women,” and an “absence of feelings for men.”
A nonprofit affiliated with the
Malaysia government released the brochure to hundreds of parents at a
seminar titled Parents in Curbing LGBT Issue, the website
Malaysiakini
reported.
“Youths are easily influenced by
websites and blogs relating to LGBT groups,” Deputy Education
Minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi is quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
“This can also spread among their friends. We are worried that
this happens during schooling time.”