Malaysia Bans Gay TV Characters

The Malaysian government has banned television shows that feature gay characters.

Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Maglin confirmed [the ban]. He said the ban was effective immediately but would only start with state-owned TV and radio stations. "If it means cancelling some of the shows, so be it," he told The Star Friday, adding that the decision was to curb the "influence" of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. He also said the decision will be expanded to cover privately-owned stations as well as satellite TV providers. As for foreign productions, he said the Censorship Board will remove episodes from running TV shows and bar movies with gay characters from being screened locally.

Maglin also said that shows hosted by effeminate men may continue because "they are born this way."