"Police ban Malaysia gay rights event" November 04, 2011|Associated Press
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Police ordered gay rights activists in Muslim-majority Malaysia yesterday to scrap an annual arts festival aimed at fighting discrimination.
The “Sexual Independence’’ festival has been held under low-key circumstances in Kuala Lumpur since 2008, but growing awareness about the event has led to criticism by politicians and religious leaders.
This year’s five-day festival - scheduled to start next Wednesday at a private arts center and themed “Queer without Fear’’ - featured planned musical performances of “queer anthems sung by fierce local singers and drag divas who know what it means to love out loud and proud,’’ organizers said.
But after criticism by the deputy prime minister and plans by several Muslim nongovernment groups to protest, police canceled the event....
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