Malaysian radio censors Lady Gaga’s pro-gay song

Lady Gaga’s hit song Born This Way has been censored in Malaysia because its pro-gay lyrics are deemed “offensive”.

Radio stations have replaced some of the song’s lyrics with garble to avoid contravening strict laws on morality.

The contentious lyrics are: “No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life, I’m on the right track, baby.”

AMP Radio Networks, Malaysia’s top private radio operator, told Associated Press that the song had been censored to adhere to government rules banning songs which violate “good taste or decency or [are] offensive to public feeling.”

In a statement, the company said: “The particular lyrics in Born This Way may be considered as offensive when viewed against Malaysia’s social and religious observances.

“The issue of being gay, lesbian or [bisexual] is still considered as a ‘taboo’ by general Malaysians.”
Broadcasters can be fined up to 50,000 ringgit ($16,000) for breaking morality laws.

In 2009, Sacha Baron Cohen’s film Bruno, about a gay fashion journalist, was banned in Malaysia for having gay sex scenes.

The country has a prohibition on “gross indecency with another male person,” with up to two years in prison for those found guilty.