Kuala Lumpur: A stereotype-laden checklist for spotting gay men and lesbian women published by a popular Malaysian newspaper has sparked outrage in the Muslim-majority nation, with activists warning it could endanger lives. The Malay-language tabloid Sinar Harian claimed gay men love to go to the gym -- just to check out other men -- wear tight clothes to show off their physiques and tend to sport beards, while their eyes widen when they see handsome men. Malaysia has experienced growing religious fundamentalism in recent years, sparking friction between conservative forces and those campaigning for greater rights. One of the country's biggest social media stars, Arwind Kumar, railed against the list in a video posted on YouTube. Kumar said in the video, pointing out that religious leaders were also known for their abundant facial hair.

Source: Bangkok Post February 13, 2018 08:15 UTC