The following are notes from my final lecture for Sex and the City: Gender and Sexuality in Southeast Asia on trans identities in Indonesian cinema. Disclaimer on the use of ‘definitions’ Since I am teaching this class in English, to students in a British institution with a largely unproblematised epistemological culture that privileges western ways… Continue reading Lecture notes: Trans identities and queer acceptance in Indonesian cinema?
Research and publications
Pentingkah paparan watak-watak LGBT di media?
Disiar di Merdeka Review, tanggal 17 April 2012. Kelewatan ini melihat desas-desus pengharaman paparan watak LGBT di kaca televisyen telahpun mendatangkan lagi persoalan tentang wajarkah individu-individu LGBT mempunyai tempat di siaran media. Bagi saya, jawabnya ya, tetapi saya juga mempunyai rasa ragu dengan pendirian saya. Pertama sekali, watak lesbian, gay, dan transgender terutamanya di filem-filem… Continue reading Pentingkah paparan watak-watak LGBT di media?
Multicultural cohesion: who is doing it?
A person brought to my attention an article by Farish Noor who bemoans (he does a lot of this in his writings of late) the national impasse of bringing Malaysians together no thanks to a linguistic and culturally segregated education system. Aside from not talking about segregated education system as colonial heritage whose impact on… Continue reading Multicultural cohesion: who is doing it?
Writer-researcher, in residence
It’s been sometime since I posted anything here. Much has happened since my last post; my return to Malaysia last November, beginning my fieldwork research in Indonesia the following month, attending feminist events in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, and establishing links with the region’s feminist activists in the process. Because many important events have happened… Continue reading Writer-researcher, in residence
Kelompok anti-Hari Kekasih patut hentikan fikiran lucah mereka
Disiarkan di Merdeka Review, tanggal 14 Februari 2012. Pertembungan pandangan berbeza tentang sambutan Hari Kekasih telah lama wujud dan akan terus kekal sampai bila-bila. Yang membuatkan penulis hairan adalah perkara yang paling ditentang keras oleh PAS, badan keagamaan seperti JAKIM dan yang sewaktu dengannya jarang diutarakan sama sekali. Bahkan perkara itulah yang dilihat menembus jambakan… Continue reading Kelompok anti-Hari Kekasih patut hentikan fikiran lucah mereka
The transmen community is still overshadowed by phallocentric logic in Malaysia
First published on Engenderings, the LSE blog for gender and sexual diversity In several scenes from the recent but quickly forgotten Malaysian film, “Aku Bukan Tomboy” (I’m Not a Tomboy, 2011), masculine women and transmen alike were disparaged as not being ‘real’ men for lacking a bioglogical penis. The film makes clear that not only… Continue reading The transmen community is still overshadowed by phallocentric logic in Malaysia
Advice for Valentine’s Day Lovers: Play Fair (for Loyar Berkasih)
First published for Loyar Burok, on 12th February 2012. Recently, PAS managed to let their guard down with a statement saying that Muslims can celebrate Valentine’s Day … but strictly according to a moral guideline painstakingly spelled out by the head of PAS Youth, Nasaruddin Ali. A celebration of love, albeit a kitsch and mercilessly… Continue reading Advice for Valentine’s Day Lovers: Play Fair (for Loyar Berkasih)
Sexuality can never be a private affair
“Why can’t these gay rights activists keep their sexuality issues private? No one needs to have their sexual preferences shoved in our (sic) faces or marching down the streets like they do in gay pride marches. Sexuality should be a private matter, like religion.” Sounds familiar? It’s what people say when they don’t like to… Continue reading Sexuality can never be a private affair
Menilai semula sikap rakyat terhadap ahli politik wanita
First published on Merdeka Review, 27 January 2012. Sudah menjadi tabiat sesetengah orang Malaysia menghina perempuan dengan kekerasan yang berbaur seksual dan kelucahan; ancaman rogol dan dikecam sebagai pelacur atau perempuan murahan. Lelaki yang dikritik dan dimaki hamun tidak akan menerima kecaman yang sebegitu. Ini adalah kerana orang perempuan dianggap sasaran yang lemah layu dan… Continue reading Menilai semula sikap rakyat terhadap ahli politik wanita
Laki-laki feminis, sila tampil ke hadapan
Dalam kolum saya di Merdeka Review baru-baru ini, saya membincangkan tentang tanggungjawab kita sebagai sebuah masyarakat dalam menangani isu misogyni (atau pembencian wanita di bawah dan atas sedar) di Malaysia. Hari ini, saya ingin menjemput pembaca untuk memikirkan tentang peranan lelaki dalam menangani seksisme dan penyertaan mereka dalam gerakan feminisme. Boleh dikatakan bahawa tanggungjawab yang… Continue reading Laki-laki feminis, sila tampil ke hadapan
Alicia Izharuddin 