Countries Erasing "LGBT": The Progress of "Word Regulation" in Malaysia

To a Country That Doesn't Say "LGBT"—What the Malaysian Government's Name Change Indicates

In Malaysia, the government's language surrounding LGBTQ individuals is sparking significant debate. Government officials are avoiding the use of the term "LGBT" and are instead encouraging the use of the Malay term "budaya songsang," which means "deviant culture." The official reasoning is that repeated use of the word LGBT makes it easier for social media and search engine algorithms to display related content, which could inadvertently "normalize" the existence and culture of sexual minorities.

However, this name change is not merely a substitution of words. Human rights organizations and advocacy groups warn that by labeling the identities of certain individuals as "deviant," the government risks justifying social prejudice, surveillance, and discrimination. The core issue is not "which words to use," but "who the state is attempting to place outside of society."

The policy was initiated by remarks made in the Malaysian Senate in February 2026. Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department for Religious Affairs, Marhamah Rosli, stated that expressions related to LGBT should henceforth use "budaya songsang." According to the government, the more the word LGBT is spoken or written, the more likely related content will appear online, inadvertently promoting "that culture."

This explanation has a distinctly modern ring to it. Social media recommendations, search rankings, and video app displays. Indeed, in the online space, the more a word is searched, shared, and reacted to, the more content containing that word spreads. However, when the government uses this mechanism as a reason to replace words that specifically name a minority, issues of expression management and social exclusion arise.

The term "LGBT" is not just a trendy word. It is a term used by people with diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, including lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender individuals, to explain their existence, seek rights, and connect to support. Replacing this term with "deviant culture" risks treating the existence of these individuals not as individuals but as a "phenomenon" or "problem" that harms society.

In Malaysia, same-sex sexual acts can be punishable under federal law and state Sharia law. There are also strong restrictions on sexual orientation and gender expression, and LGBTQ individuals live under the triple pressures of legal systems, religious norms, and social prejudice. The name change is perceived as further intensifying these existing pressures.

In fact, in recent years, there have been successive regulations against LGBTQ visibility in Malaysia. In 2023, Swatch products containing rainbow colors were scrutinized for "LGBTQ elements," with potential penalties for ownership or sale. In 2026, access to web versions of gay dating sites Grindr and Blued was blocked, and legal measures regarding their availability in app stores were considered. Additionally, reports of police raids on hotel gatherings labeled as "gay parties" have raised concerns about increased surveillance of the community.

Human rights groups are strongly opposed. Justice for Sisters criticized the name change as dehumanizing LGBT people, spreading misinformation, and reinforcing the dangerous notion that they are "entities to be corrected." The group argues that such language incites violence and discrimination and violates the dignity and equality guaranteed by the Malaysian Federal Constitution.

Amnesty International Malaysia also harshly criticized the government's decision. The organization pointed out that calling LGBTI people "deviant" from an official position is not an act of moral safeguarding but rather justifies hatred and discrimination against those in vulnerable positions. The words of those in power do not end as mere opinions; they influence administrative bodies, religious organizations, police, schools, families, and workplaces, changing the societal atmosphere.

Reactions on social media are divided. Some conservative posts and comments support the government's policy, suggesting that it is better not to use the word LGBT and that it should be stopped before spreading among the youth. On the other hand, critical users argue that the government is losing sight of the real issues it should be addressing. One X user gained attention by posting that if the government has such enthusiasm for renaming LGBT as "deviant culture," it should direct the same energy toward social issues like corruption and bribery.

The same divide is visible in the comments sections on Instagram and Facebook. Posts conveying the government's announcement receive reactions welcoming the policy from religious and moral perspectives, while criticisms question why the state is so involved in managing individual identities, argue that changing words won't make people disappear, and suggest it will only increase discrimination. The discussions on social media reflect the deep division in Malaysian society regarding values surrounding LGBTQ issues.

What must not be overlooked in this issue is that for those affected, "words" are directly linked to safety. When the words to describe oneself are taken away, it becomes difficult to find help desks, connect with support groups, or access health information. In areas like HIV prevention, mental health, violence counseling, and dealing with family pressure, accurate and neutral language is essential. If the government encourages avoiding the term "LGBT," those affected become even less visible, and support becomes harder to reach.

Moreover, the explanation of "algorithm measures" needs to be viewed with caution. If the government is genuinely concerned about harmful online content, it should focus on specific harms like protecting minors, fraud, sexual exploitation, and hate speech. However, if the word LGBT itself is seen as problematic, there is a danger that the existence and information sharing of sexual minorities will be deemed "harmful." This is closer to a political move to restrict the visibility of identities than an online safety policy.

The stance of the Malaysian government also has a domestic political context. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was once expected as a reformist, but in governance, he cannot ignore considerations for conservative Islamic forces and Malay voters. Issues surrounding LGBTQ rights are often used as themes to demonstrate "moral authority" without paying political costs. By targeting socially vulnerable individuals, the government can project a strong stance to the conservative base.

However, it is those affected who pay the price. They are renamed, their existence labeled as "deviant," and they are excluded from both online spaces and real-world gatherings. This trend leads not only to legal punishment but also to family pressure, workplace disadvantages, school bullying, and reduced access to medical and welfare services. The issue of words is a matter of living and surviving.

The government may believe that avoiding the use of the word LGBT will prevent the spread of related content. However, banning words does not make people disappear. On the contrary, those whose names are taken away become more isolated and placed in more dangerous situations. What society should do is not to conceal existence but to create conditions where everyone can live without fear of violence or discrimination.

The Malaysian policy represents a significant turning point in the rights of LGBTQ individuals in Asia. While some countries and regions are moving towards recognizing diversity, there is also a growing movement to push back the visibility of sexual minorities under the guise of "tradition," "morality," "religion," and "online safety." The name change in Malaysia is a symbolic event of this trend.

Replacing the word "LGBT" with "deviant culture" is not merely a translation. It is an act of deciding who the state places outside of "normal." Therefore, this issue is not just a matter within Malaysia. It shows that the politics of managing people's existence by changing words can happen in any society.

Source URL

Metro Weekly: The original article reporting on the Malaysian government's policy to replace "LGBT" with "budaya songsang," including explanations from authorities and criticism from human rights organizations.
https://www.metroweekly.com/2026/06/malaysia-lgbt-deviant-culture/

BERNAMA: An article by Malaysia's national news agency reporting on Deputy Minister Marhamah Rosli's remarks, encouraging the use of "budaya songsang" to avoid algorithmic normalization.
https://bernama.com/bm/news.php?id=2527890

Malay Mail: An article conveying BERNAMA's report in English, organizing the background of the remarks and the content of the questioning in Dewan Negara.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2026/02/26/deputy-minister-says-lgbt-should-be-called-deviant-culture-to-avoid-normalisation/210509

Justice for Sisters: A statement criticizing the name change as a "dangerous rise in state-sponsored discrimination and misinformation," highlighting impacts on the dignity, equality, and risks of violence and discrimination against LGBT people.
https://justiceforsisters.org/resources/deputy-ministers-senate-intervention-marks-dangerous-rise-in-state-sponsored-lgbtq-discrimination/

Amnesty International Malaysia: A statement criticizing the government's name change as "fueling hate and discrimination," warning of the impact of words from public figures.
https://www.amnesty.my/2026/02/27/reckless-labeling-of-lgbti-people-as-deviant-fuels-hate-and-discrimination/

Global Voices: An article organizing human rights groups' criticism, political background, and social media reactions to the name change, including a comparison post by an X user regarding anti-corruption measures.
https://globalvoices.org/2026/06/23/malaysian-government-replaces-the-term-lgbt-with-deviant-culture/

Channel News Asia: An article reporting on Malaysia blocking access to web versions of Grindr and Blued and considering legal measures against LGBTQ dating apps.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-blocks-same-sex-dating-sites-grindr-blued-legal-measures-lgbtq-apps-5951691

Channel News Asia: An article reporting on the arrest of 51 individuals related to a gathering labeled as a "gay party" in a Kuala Lumpur hotel.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/malaysia-police-arrest-51-men-drug-raids-gay-party-6142121

AP News: An article reporting on the Malaysian government's ban on Swatch products containing LGBTQ elements, with potential penalties for owners and sellers.
https://apnews.com/article/malaysia-bans-lgbtq-swatch-d386af4e660939afba6d26f5b23aee7d

Human Rights Watch: A report summarizing anti-LGBT conversion practices, discrimination, violence, and legal issues in Malaysia.
https://www.hrw.org/report/2022/08/10/i-dont-want-change-myself/anti-lgbt-conversion-practices-discrimination-and