watching the performances and later, participated in tie-
dying white t-shirts together, which, by the way, is not
as easy as it seems.
During Cultural Night
and Thank You Dinner of
ISO Yangon (2015). ▼
▲ At the Myanmar Institute
of Theology during ISO
Yangon (2015).
However, eventually, we faced a few other obstacles
that increasingly frustrated us – one of which was
perhaps more shocking than frustrating. We wanted
to distribute flyers with information about IDAHOT, as
a way of spreading awareness about the day and in
relation to that, the struggles and oppression faced
by people who are non-heterosexual and/or non-
cisgendered. This was not allowed. Instead, we were
recommended an edited text that was simply, “Google
IDAHOT”. Besides that, while this event was initially
planned to be held on the Monash field, we were
pressured to move it to the indoor badminton court.
Essentially, this was due to the “sensitive” nature of
our event and because there were visiting guests on
campus, which fuelled the administration’s concerns.
Nonetheless, all things considered, the event went
well, as students and a few staff members joined in on
May the world become a more inclusive and accepting
place for people of diverse sexualities, gender identities
and expressions, and may Monash be an example, not
an exception.
Postscript
A few weeks after writing this article, I was made aware
of the “Monash: Where Everyone Matters” campaign.
This involved painting the flight of stairs near the back
entrance in rainbow colours. I also learnt that there
has been more support from the administration in
promoting issues related to gender and sexuality. I
commend both the administration and the students
involved, and hope that such initiatives in inclusivity will
continue.
Wai Min graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Global)
in 2017. He is currently studying for a Masters at the
Institute of Social Studies in the Hague, Netherlands.
157
person to read and cite certain legal restrictions, and
to inform us of the potential challenges that we and/
or Monash might face, due to the ‘InclusiviTEE’ event.
Eventually however, this person concluded they would
like to support our event and we could go ahead with
our event, but at the same time, they wanted to be
careful and take certain precautions. For instance, they
wanted to check the performers’ spoken word scripts,
a request which we complied to. It felt almost like a win
to me.
By writing this article, I aim to make a few key points.
First and foremost, as a gay Monash student, I think
I deserve an education in a place that is inclusive of
people of diverse sexualities, gender expressions
and identities, especially considering that this is only
consistent with what we students learn in classrooms.
Secondly, I don’t intend to merely “point fingers” or
blame certain members of the Monash administration
– at least not unconstructively and/or unfairly. In fact,
to some extent, I commend the approval and support
we received from the Monash administration, and
additionally, I can understand their fears and concerns
of any undesired action by the Malaysian government
and/or potential backlash from students or the wider
society. But I also believe an educational institution can
and must take a stand. In the face of such adversity,
I wish and urge the Monash administration to truly
work together with marginalized groups, and not
against them. In the spirit of this e-magazine theme of
“Metamorphosis” and in our university’s tagline ancora
imparo, it is perhaps time for the university to reflect on
its values and undergo its own metamorphosis.