…for the most appalling bit of stupid censorship ever.

Folk, did you know that the words “gay” and “lesbian” are in some way either so obscene that we must not sully our delicate ears with the sound of them? Or is it maybe that they are contagious? We hear them and instantly change our orientation, perhaps? Who would have thunk it! Astro, that’s who. (Maybe, if that was true, there might be one whole lot less bigotry and vicious hatred against all those with non-hetero orientation…)

As you all know by now, the movie Milk about the life and murder of a gay activist won two awards at the Oscars, one for the screenplay by Justin Lance Blake and one for the actor, Sean Penn.

Here is part of the acceptance speech of Blake:
But most of all, if Harvey had not been taken from us 30 years ago, I think he’d want me to say to all of the gay and lesbian kids out there tonight who have been told that they are less than by their churches, by the government or by their families, that you are beautiful, wonderful creatures of value and that no matter what anyone tells you, God does love you…

And similarly from Penn:
“For those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect, and anticipate their great shame, and the shame in their grandchildren’s eyes if they continue that way of support. We’ve got to have equal rights for everyone…

And Astro, who screened the ceremony here in Malaysia, apparently censored both speeches by cutting out the words lesbian and gay. How incredibly silly can you get.

You can read the whole thing here, including a lovely piece of writing from a gay Malaysian who brought it to the attention of Bibliobibuli.

UPDATE (via Bibliobibuli)
In the interest of accuracy, it seems that it was STAR that actually did the silly censorship, and passed it on to its customers, including Astro.