Veena Malik supports gay marriage
Controversy’s favourite child, actor Veena Malik has raised eyebrows by boldly announcing her support for same-sex marriages. In a statement issued on Friday, Malik said “I openly support the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community and I don’t feel shy about doing it.”
Following the footsteps of starlets Kim Kardashian and Lady Gaga, who recently voiced their support for homosexuality, Malik justified her stance by asking, “If US President Barack Obama and Hollywood beauties can stand up for gay marriage, why can’t every citizen support this cause?”
Malik’s move to Bollywood has made her bolder; one controversial photoshoot and hot item number later, she feels “every person has the right to live their life” without interference.
Anti-gay sentiment is widely prevalent in Pakistan, where the subject is considered taboo and has often sparked outrage. In India, however, the government has legalised gay sex despite conservative elements wanting it banned.
When Malik shared the news of her pro-LGBT stance on micro-blogging site Twitter, the more liberal members on the social media forum applauded her. One person reacted to Malik’s statement by posting “Way to go! LGBT people are loving and caring human beings who deserve happiness, love and acceptance!”, while another wrote: “This is why I love her.” Some claimed that she was the first Pakistani celebrity to openly support gay unions.
The more conservative quarters, however, expressed their indignation by using profanities. “She is taking all the shortcuts to become famous,” read one post.
In the same spirit of candidness, Malik has also reacted to veteran Indian actor Hema Malini’s comment that top heroines should avoid item numbers.
“Heroines should not shy away from them (item songs),” said Malik at the music launch of her debut Hindi film Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hai in Mumbai.
“An item song is a huge responsibility,” she added. “Sometimes the whole film depends on an item song.”
Malik has also signed the Telugu version of the Bollywood hit The Dirty Picture and is set to feature in Hindi movies Mumbai 125 km and Zindagi 50-50.
(WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM IANS)
Published in The Express Tribune, June 10th, 2012.
COMMENTS (68)
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@gayslayer: Homosexuals are HUMAN BEINGS - just like your dad, mom, sister, brother. They have everyright to exist. God has NOT given you or anyone else the authority to decide who should or should not exist. Being gay is an issue that will be settled between god and that individual- no one else has the right to pass any judgement. This is the perpetual ignorance that has ruined pakistan and all other muslim countries for that matter.
@siraj: homosexualty is NOT the cause of aids- promiscuity is. If you look up scientific facts- HIV/AIDS is infact and outcome of high population increase in africa and negligence on doctors behalf.
Atleast someone is sane in Pakistan.
Simply Cheap!!!!!!
@Pakistani Hindu: Strange!! my dear, you call yourself pakistani!!! cannot beleive at all. god almighty has made this world and certain natural rules for humans. tell me what make you to support veena malik for homosexual and what not for which one even feels shame to write, and you beeing belonging to alhamdullilah islamic country support such a nonsense act and feel happy. think on it , you know the desease of AIDS, for which still science is struggling for curing the same desease, if you have ever heard the name of this desease then keep in mind that homosexual is the main cause ofthe same desease. khuda ka khauf karo parhez karo anur saath me touba b karo.
@Javid B: I guess homophobic bigots come in all religious & non religion persuasions? Religious minded people also feel that ATHEISTS are on the fringe and should remain on the fringe and not should be allowed to exist!.
@Javid B:
How can you be an ATHEIST and STILL be against Gay rights!? This is the first I'm hearing of this, and it is QUITE disturbing to say the least.
You honestly think the SANCTITY of Britney Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed if two men or women in love were allowed to be married?! COME ON!!
I DO agree with her stance, but I too am not wild about the reason she quoted, "because obama and hollywood stars can, so can we". I do wish that she would demonstrate a little more knowledge about these things instead of blindly raising her voice for them, because when she supports a cause without any substantial reason, it honestly DOES seem like she's trying to hog the spotlight and has absolutely no real interest in the cause she supports.
There are a myriad of excellent reasons for supporting Gay marriages, and even though it is commendable that she is one of the first celebrities in Pakistan to support the LGBT community as fearlessly as she is, her support would be ultimately inconsequential if she gives people a chance to make a mockery out of the whole thing by giving reasons like, because Hollywood did it.
@Javid B:
"I am a atheist but that does not mean I support marriage for gays. The institution should be sacrosanct whether you are muslim, hindu or atheist. Gays are on the fringe and should reamin on the fringe."
Who are you to judge what people do with their private lives? They are not harming anyone by their choice. Why are you so bigoted to decide how others should live?
for a moment lets just forget about what veena has to say. lets just kill gays. theyre a social disease. shouldnt be considered humans.
@Samee - LGBT rights in Pakistan,NO WAY NEVER EVER INSHAALLAH,Long live Islam and Sharia laws, You have proved evidence this works -
Corruption, killing, violence, hunger and poverty most minorities rights in danger is this what you have to offer Pakistan?
I am a atheist but that does not mean I support marriage for gays. The institution should be sacrosanct whether you are muslim, hindu or atheist. Gays are on the fringe and should reamin on the fringe.
The institution of marriage is collapsing all around because of pressures on the institution from various sectors of society.Veena you don't need marriage if you are in the bizarre category.
@B.Ally: but she is pakistani ...mister
With more than 500 likes on facebook and tweets of above 50 we can surely deduct the conclusion that what are the priorities of our Great developing nation Pakistan. Any sane article on ET always get less than 20 likes and 3-4 tweets but look at this news and the hassle it is creating among readers. No wonder we will remain a developing nation.
Guys please concentrate on positive development work
genius .........inspiration from Obama and holloy wood celeberities...........if we see her carear, what she has achieved and how she achieved .........nothing much to say......
i think i should nw sleep!!!publish that nw ET
It is a matter of personal choice.Lead your own life
@Junaid: No dear. Being an indian we know bollywood's nakhara and tamasha. We know bollywood's personal life and public life. Read my comment again. Why I laughed so loudly when she said item dance has more role than story of the movie. That was funniest statement I ever heard in bollywood. By the way Indian government has already legalised -- so this is what we called publicity stunt. Cheers.
The next Prime Minister!
Initially I was carried away by the publicity she received and liked her for her boldness. After seeing her in the movie, I was greatly disappointed. She does not have any acting talent nor a charming look / personality. I do not think she will make it in Bollywood. However, she knows how to be in the headlines. It will last only for a while.
I am happy that Humaima Malik is getting a break in Bollywood. She is talented and has good looks. She needs to get some good roles that has a strong character in it. I wish her luck and success. She will make it in Bollywood.
@Zohaib ..Who cares what Veena thinks?... Apparently, you do! You did read the article and cared enough to comment, no?
I think express tribune should focus on real news that are plaguing the country rather than talking about Veena Malik all the time, the whole website looks irresponsible other wise. Just like the sports section covers different sports, the entertainment section should do justice to other actors, singers also. Only talking about Veena Malik it unfair to others in this field.
@Samee: but you have a right to force your islamo-fascist ideology on the people of Pakistan?
@Prasad Babu @Salman @iforindia Loved your Comments :D - hahaha
And all other Guys who Love Veena's Statement - I hope your GFs or Wives don't read it :D hahaha
being a liberal through and through I feel Gay marriages is an insult to religion as a whole. What point will gay marriages prove? It will only undermine ones religion. Note: Supporting gay marriage is not being liberal its being extremist, the liberal kind. If one really wants to live with same sex partner go ahead kindly don't mock the sanctity of a beautiful relationship such as marriage with these cheap stunts.
"one controversial photoshoot and hot item number later, she feels “every person has the right to live their life” without interference."
What kind of reporting is that ET? Trying to discredit her opinion by linking it to her personal life's choices?!?Regardless of Veena supporting LGBt or not, every adult human has the right to lead a life they want. Many Pakistani Muslim professionals themselves fully endorse the fact and infact working abroad ,we deal with all other humans with equal respect regarldess of their gender, race or sexuality. Its a matter of personal preference and being honest to oneself more than a rotten orthodox society that one can never please anyway!
It is not Telugu version..it is kannada version
m i the only one amazed by the sheer liberalism oozing from the comments in here? :o
If she had opposed the LGBT issue, people would blamed her for double standards and of course they would have been wrong.
@pakistanibaloch: "u can say because you are in india…………."
You are correct. When you say that though you imply that this reflects poorly on India's culture and well on Pakistan's culture. As an Indian I feel exactly the opposite. A difference in perspective on whether tolerance and diversity are a good thing or to be curbed.
@wah wah: Bollywood has made many movies where gays are portrayed in a good light.
@BruteForce: "I hope she comes to India often"
She lives and works in India. She would never have dared to say this if she was living in Pakistan.
I may not agree with what she says, but I would have had more respect if she said this because she believes it, as opposed to saying this because Hollywood and Obama can. Can "liberal" Pakistani's think for themselves?
for all those supporting Veena.......Try scat chazzers...! Excrete ,than eat it.....Enjoy....Legalize that too..!
u can say because you are in india.............
I have far respect for someone like Veena Malik who minds her own business and respects others rights and doesnt ask her followers to kill innocent people in the name of god like Hafiz saeed who is just misguiding young pakistanis and destroying their lives.
whats up with ETs obsession with Veena?
I respect veena from today!
“An item song is a huge responsibility,” she added. “Sometimes the whole film depends on an item song.”
Wow ! what a statement from her !
Do we really need this news and do veena malik statement really is important for us or is it just selling your news.... cheap
Veena for President! I don't know why our indian friends like BruteForce are getting hyped up.. nobody from bollywood would have the courage or enough air between their heads to do a veena
Let me be one of the first to congratulate her on her brave, righteous, unislamic stand. To come from a country like Pakistan and to speak such fresh thoughts is really great to see.
I wish her goodluck. I started liking her the day she dueled with that crazy Mullah.
I hope she comes to India often, there are some medieval minds here too. But, thankfully the law banning gay sex is removed, thanks to our Supreme Court.
She is a visionary in every way you look at her.
We love Veena Malik for standing for what she thinks is right. Way to go babe. Pakistan likes you. Now Mulla's turn to blow up a few innocents for her stance regarding gays will e next.
I admire Veena, and I support LGBT.
Brave woman and self made. I am beginning to admire this woman.
Before you jump on her: What is the percentage of Pakistani males involved in a homosexual activity at least once in their lifetime? The number is staggering.
okay, so anything veena says will get published in ET ?
hahaha .. The heading made my day. LMAO!! touche, she is taking all the shortcuts to becoming famous!
Love you Veena Malik.! Way to go!
LGBT rights in Pakistan,NO WAY NEVER EVER INSHAALLAH,Long live Islam and Sharia laws,As far as Veena is concerned I would not waste my energy on her,She has got no right to force her Liber-o-fascist ideology down our throats.
Does she believe in marriage? How strange
Absolutely agree with her.
One should say and live according to what one believes in. Brave girl.
Veena can say such things, after all she bears "huge responsibility"
Let the bashing begin!
Looks like she just tore up her Pakistani passport...
Who cares what Veena thinks?