5:55 PM
Editor
As we may all must have heard by now, a Dhivehi Gay Pride March Event has been organised by a Mr. Nate McLove (who now no longer exists as it turns out) on Facebook on the 12 September 2010. The event is to be held on Majeedhi Magu from 8 pm to 12 am on the 10th of October 2010. As of now 71 people are attending this event with a huge contrast of 434 people not attending.
Since Rainbow Maldives is not organising this march and have had no communication with Nate McLove regarding this march, we can neither confirm nor deny the truth behind its validity. There is a lot of specualtion that this march is simply a publicity stunt to spark much needed discussions about homosexuality in the Maldives. If so, the purpose has been served to some extent in the online community.
Those who have been following the comments on the page would know that lots of verbal harrasment and threats of violence have been made at the organisers, some members on the page, and most importantly, at those who are planning on attending the parade. There have also has been a lot debate on what purpose such a parade would serve, the question of whether or not the timing is right for such a parade, and whether this could worsen the situtaion of Queer Maldivians that are already suffering.
Since Rainbow Maldives is not organising this march and have had no communication with Nate McLove regarding this march, we can neither confirm nor deny the truth behind its validity. There is a lot of specualtion that this march is simply a publicity stunt to spark much needed discussions about homosexuality in the Maldives. If so, the purpose has been served to some extent in the online community.
Those who have been following the comments on the page would know that lots of verbal harrasment and threats of violence have been made at the organisers, some members on the page, and most importantly, at those who are planning on attending the parade. There have also has been a lot debate on what purpose such a parade would serve, the question of whether or not the timing is right for such a parade, and whether this could worsen the situtaion of Queer Maldivians that are already suffering.
A new Page titled ' Against "Dhivehi Gay Pride March"' has also been created protesting the march with some members openly calling for violence against homosexuals and the marchers. This is just a glimpse of the attitude the general Maldivian public has towards queers and is indicative of how hesistant they are to accept homosexuality.
There are also reports that harrasment against Queer Maldivians have increased recently and aforementioned proposed event is most probably the reason. Based on this and the arguments made so far, it is our strong recommendation that attending this event is definitely not advised.
Everyone is requested to stay safe, and to take care when on the streets and other public places.
UPDATE: As of the 21st of Sept, a total of 3,157 invitations has been sent out to the facebook event so far with 89 Attending, 59 Maybe and 536 Not Attending.
Posted in: Society
1 comments:
I think all Maldivian Gays should have the right to exercise their protest. Maldivian mentality has been too biased for too long. It's time for acceptance.
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