M'sia's 1st gay church draws the crowds
Rev Ouyang co-founded Malaysia's first gay church.
Reverend Ouyang Wen Feng is not just a man of God, he is also Malaysia’s only openly homosexual pastor.
On top of that, he co-founded the nation’s first gay church, which has been operating in suburban Kuala Lumpur for the last three years.
Though homosexuality is still a crime punishable by 20 years in jail in the Muslim-majority nation, Ouyang’s church has been drawing a steady group of gay Christians for Sunday services and bible studies.
"We are working on encouraging more people to join the church, for Christians to come out and live authentic lives," says the pastor, who was married for nine years until he "came out" publicly in 2006.
"Whether one is gay or straight or bisexual, they are sexual orientations, it is not something we do that makes us gay."
Ouyang adds that the church, which also embraces bisexuals and transsexuals as well as welcoming heterosexuals to its services, wants to help the community know they are not "alone in fighting the battle".
Ouyang's battle is part of a campaign being fought on many fronts in Malaysia, where there is a growing sense of activism among the gay community that is beginning to mobilise to fight for its rights.
"When I was young, how I wished someone who was good, highly admired and respected in the society could come out and tell me 'I am gay too,'," says the 40-year-old.
But homosexuality remains a social taboo across the racial and religious spectrum in the country, which is also home to large ethnic Chinese and Indian communities.
Gay men and women are a visible presence out in public, and on the Internet where they are connected through online forums.
However, authorities periodically crack down on the thriving gay scene, carrying out raids at gay-friendly bars or massage parlours, leaving some with a constant fear of persecution.
Source: MSN Malaysia
Published Sept 3 2010
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