An international study tracking lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) inclusion in armed forces worldwide has revealed that the Malaysian military has the toughest stand against homosexuality in Asia.
Released by The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, an independent research group connected to the Dutch Ministry of Defence, the LGBT Military Index 2014 reveals that Malaysia has ranked 92nd on a list of 103 countries, making its armed forces the 12th most hostile towards homosexuals and transgenders.
According to the index, Thailand’s military is the most gay-friendly in Southeast Asia at 48th place, followed by the Philippines (50th), Vietnam (53rd) and Indonesia (67th). The index did not supply any data on Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Singapore.
Globally, the most gay-intolerant military is Nigeria’s, followed by the armed forces of Iran and Syria.
The LGBT Military Index is tabulated by studying the implementation (or lack thereof) of 19 policies concerning LGBT participation in the military. It is divided according to inclusion, admission, tolerance, exclusion and persecution.
Source: The Star Online
