“When the result came out, she said that my MBTI scores showed that I was more ‘Feeling’ (F) than ‘Thinking’ (T), despite being a man. She said that it means that I don’t have enough hormones, because it is abnormal for men to feel or perceive. This is such a wrong, damaging and toxic perception of masculinity. It’s normal for men to be emotional.”
Balik Ke Pangkal Jalan
‘Balik ke pangkal jalan’ is a phrase commonly used in Malaysia to mean ‘returning to the “right” path’. This phrase is usually associated with conversion therapy or practices – methods used to change lesbian, gay, bisexual persons to heterosexual and trans and gender diverse persons to cisgender.
We are reclaiming and redefining ‘balik ke pangkal jalan’ in an effort to guide people instead to the path of acceptance and inclusion.
Report
‘Hidden Behind the Right Path: Untangling Malaysia’s “soft approach” to LGBTQ rehabilitation’ provides an overview of conversion practices in Malaysia — including who provides it, and its impact on LGBTQ people and others. The report also identifies laws that can be used by LGBTIQ people experiencing conversion practices and recommendations to the government to protect LGBTIQ people’s well-being.
Situation in Malaysia
Learn about government-run conversion practices and non-state conversion practices in Malaysia.
Resources
Learn about conversion practices in Malaysia through reports, news articles, stories, and podcasts.