Support for our Sisters

Story: GOH EE KOON

It seems like an unlikely combination, but punk rockers, indie acts, poets and artists are coming together this weekend in an establishment-type place to lend a helping hand and give a lift up to a good cause.

For eight solid hours on this Saturday, Feb 12, post punk gigs, poetry readings and post-avant-garde artists’ performances will be held at MAPKL@Publika at Solaris Dutamas, off Jalan Duta. The event is to help a sector of Malaysian society that is often misunderstood and never supported enough -- the transsexual community.

Titled Justice for Sisters, and tagged as the "Sis, let's reclaim our rights!" Festival, the event promises to bring together not just artists but fans, supporters and lovers of small-scale music, poetry and artistic acts that are small in scale but big in effort and heart.

Justice for Sisters - fighting for rights.

 Justice for Sisters is a human rights campaign, done at the grassroots level. It is organised by concerned members of the public to raise awareness about issues surrounding violence and persecution against the Mak Nyah community in Malaysia.

Male-to-female transsexuals are known as Mak Nyah in Malaysia, and have in recent and not-so-recent times faced gross abuse, persecution and discrimination. The event organisers are hoping that festivals such as these will bring the community together and the diversity of who we are as Malaysians will be celebrated via music, arts and good vibes.

Tattoo shop US Skin Grafx is also stepping up and doing its part for the community by sponsoring prizes for ink, which are up for auction at the event itself. Read about its contribution to the event and the reasons for its participation at http://us-skin-grafx.blogspot.com

Entry to the event is via donation at the door. While door prices have been specified, guests and visitors are highly encouraged to donate more if they wish to in support of the cause.

The campaign also aims to raise funds amounting to RM50,000 to finance court cases that have recently been brought up against transgenders currently charged by the Syariah Court.

The creative people will be out in full force to support the campaign.

This is Justice for Sisters’ second event. The first was held successfully at the Annexe Gallery in Central Market several weeks ago.

If you can't make it to the festival but would like to donate to the fund or help in other ways, please contact Angela at angela@kryss.org or Thilaga at thilaga.sulathireh@gmail.com.

PROGRAMME/VENUE
MAP
Level G2-01
Block A5 Dutamas
Jalan Dutamas 1
Off Jalan Duta
Kuala Lumpur

2pm-4pm: Entry at RM10
Acts: Jeannys&The Melody, Chill please!, Corporate Youth, Kaptain, The Fays and Swampy Zombie Fever.

5pm-7pm: Entry at RM15
Acts: Dung, Elektrikasyok (Elaine Foster), Furniture, Furious George + Operasi Sabo, Illya Sumanto, Krisis Halusinasi, Priya K and Think! Tadpole! Think!

8pm-10pm: Entry at RM15
Act: This slot will be hosted by SHELAH featuring Dara Othman, Davina Goh, Ferns, Kathleen Choo, KG, Meichern, Nabila Nasir, PT's Angels, Reza Salleh, Sheena, Tanjong, Tshiung Han See.

Chi Too & the Buka Kolektif will also make an appearance at the event.

For more info, check out the flyer in NewsFlashMedia's announcement box or visit:
http://www.MAPKL.org