Chatting With Hirzi & 377A
Gay sex is still illegal in Singapore
Some time in, he commented my questions were “intelligent,” and I’d make a great journalist if I decided to commit to it full-time. I was flattered. Yeah, I toot my own fucking horn.
Earlier this year, Hirzi and I spoke about Section 377A. I was writing for NYLON Singapore then, so it wasn’t like we were best friends having tea. We did have coffee, though. He ordered something complicated; very valley girl.
Right off, I took to liking him. He’s very much what you’d expect: the same guy on YouTube and at Pink Dot, just toned down. Sincere, eloquent, passionate. And funny, like a best friend.
You can read our “official” chat here. Otherwise, I’ll summarise!
In case you were wondering, he did not DEFINITIVELY say he’s gay. I respect everyone’s privacy; I asked out of curiosity.
What he is more importantly is a huge example, advocate and mentor for the LGBTQ community. He cares deeply about empowering youth who face backlash, be it from family or school, even self hate, because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Love openly. Hold hands, kiss your partner, wear whatever the hell you want to wear.
Also the first muslim Pink Dot ambassador (and only to date), he feels more motivated to be a voice for muslims to have mature discourse, regardless of their views about repealing 377A.
As a hardcore proponent for LGBTQ rights, I am extremely averse to remotely anti-LGBTQ sentiment. But I know there’s no “compromise” without talking to the other side; God knows the LGBTQ community forcibly does that every day.
From being insulted by an international luxury fashion brand during Singapore Fashion Week, to trying to censor his “Curtain Call” show with Munah, Hirzi’s certainly faced criticism, embracing his identity and others like him.
Which is why I respect him so much. On a more macro level, here’s an optimistic way to look at “backlash” from the government:
