Humour, Morality, and Power: The Normalization of Hate Speech Against LGBTQ Representation in Malaysia

Abstract

This study examines how public discourse on social media in Malaysia functions as a mechanism for normalising hate speech against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) representation in mainstream media. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s Normalization Theory (1977), it explores how humour, religious moralisation, cultural identity, and political instrumentalisation collectively reinforce heteronormative norms and regulate non-conforming identities. Using a qualitative thematic content analysis approach, 455 public Facebook comments responding to MalaysiaKini’s post about LGBTQ visibility at the 25th Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL) were examined. Findings reveal that 35.8% of the comments contained hate elements, with 49.7% reflecting normalisation processes. Four interconnected discursive mechanisms were identified: (1) humour and sarcasm, which disguise hostility as entertainment; (2) religious rhetoric, which legitimises exclusion through moral policing; (3) cultural and national identity framing, which positions LGBTQ identities as threats to Malay-Muslim traditions; and (4) political instrumentalisation, where LGBTQ issues are weaponised to delegitimise political opponents. These mechanisms often overlap, forming a discursive network that sustains social hierarchies by blending ridicule, moral judgment, patriotism, and political rhetoric. The findings indicate that hate speech in Malaysia’s digital spaces operates subtly, embedding prejudice within everyday discourse under the guise of humour, religion, and nationalism. The study contributes to sociological understandings of how normalisation processes perpetuate exclusionary ideologies, offering insights into the interplay between media, culture, and power. It recommends culturally sensitive content moderation, inclusive digital literacy initiatives, and further research on counter-discourses across other social media platforms.