KUALA LUMPUR: A 32-year-old Malay-Muslim engineer, who courted criticism and death threats after openly proclaming that he was a homosexual, has received international recognition.
Azwan Ismail has been listed among the top 10 “gay rights heroes” of 2010.
Commenting on this in a Facebook entry, he said: “This is like the best early birthday present ever. Am I already a hero?”
Vowing to continue the struggle for acceptance, he added: “It surely comes with a big responsibility. And I am all ready to fight the battle.”
The recognition comes from change.org which placed Azwan, the only non-Westerner on the list, at number nine.
The organisation’s editor Michael Jones hoped Azwan’s “voice will open doors for others in the country to speak up for LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) rights”.
Azwan landed in the spotlight after he admitted to being a homosexual in a video entitled “Saya Gay, Saya Okay” which was posted on YouTube.
The enginner was condemned by numerous quarters, including religious authorities who had threatened to charge him. Many of his critics had also called on Azwan to repent.
One prominent blogger even went to the extent of blasting the federal government for its lack of action in curtailing the spread of gays and lesbians.
Azwan’s video was part of a campaign organised by the NGO, Seksualiti Merdeka, to create awareness about LBGT rights.
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