Letters in the Straits Times, 9 July 2003

source: Straits Times, 9 July 2003, Forum page

CIVIL SERVICE JOBS FOR HOMOSEXUALS

Big step forward for gay cause

As a gay Singaporean, the past week has been a momentous one, as it has been for many other gay and lesbian Singaporeans. After decades of living in doubt as to whether our sexuality will be an obstacle in determining our role in society, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong's remarks to Time magazine recently ('Govt more open to employing gays now'; ST, July 4) laid any doubt to rest.

Mr Goh's remarks are important because they recognise that sexuality is not a choice, but rather that we are each born differently and, despite the differences, we are still the same. It is a simple, yet tremendous, affirmation for the hundreds and thousands of gays and lesbians. We are your brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, uncles and aunts, and, for some, even your fathers and mothers.

Finally, gay Singaporeans need no longer feel so insulated from the rest of the world that is seeing equally momentous events. In June, Canada's Cabinet approved a new national policy to open marriage to gay couples, making Canada the third country after the Netherlands and Belgium to allow same-sex unions.

In the same month, the US Supreme Court struck down a discriminatory law against gay sex, which in effect ends all anti-sodomy laws throughout the country.

In May, the state of New South Wales standardised the age of consent for gay males, bringing it in line with that for heterosexuals and in all other states in Australia.

Still, many gay Singaporeans live under a shroud of fear. The fear of persecution because of sexuality limits each individual from realising his or her full potential. It is this fear that makes these individuals susceptible to blackmail, which Mr Goh alluded to.

One effective way to overcome this Achilles' heel is to remove the stigma surrounding homosexuality. But as long as the Penal Code makes homosexual acts a criminal offence, the threat of blackmail will remain.

It was this impetus that led Hong Kong to remove the criminal penalties relating to homosexual acts committed in private by consenting men over 21 years of age in 1990. The relevant statutes are similar to Singapore's Penal Code 377A, which was adopted from the British when Singapore was under colonial rule.

I am immensely proud of what Mr Goh has said. The highest office in Singapore has now acknowledged not only our existence, but also affirmed the gay and lesbian community's contribution to Singapore.

In urging Singaporeans to be more tolerant of sexual minorities, Mr Goh has demonstrated the same strength and courage that led to the abolition of 'popular' views of their time, such as racial segregation, slavery, religious intolerance and sexual discrimination.

Governance is more than just imposing the will of the majority; it involves respect for, and protection of, minorities, even if it is not a view that the popular majority subscribes to.

This is a big step in making us feel truly at home. As a gay man, I am no longer an outcast because of my sexuality, but an equal, contributing member of our meritocratic society.

For this, I thank the Prime Minister. I am certain the gay community in Singapore feels the same.

Stuart Koe Chi Yeow (Dr)

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Gays are still people

The Prime Minister's comments highlight a point that often gets lost in the crossfire when it comes to discussing such issues: that gay people are, well, just people.

Without a doubt, conservative bastions will bring out the argument traditionally used for such issues, that of morality. The idea is that the Government should only act in a way that preserves a certain point of view of morality, and anything that vaguely contradicts that mandate would be to endorse immorality.

An inevitable hysteria will build up around Mr Goh's comments. What did he recommend? Nothing, other than that the Government will now begin to treat gay people the same way it treats other people.

What does this imply? That we should treat people who are different from us with the same degree of humanity and respect, even if we don't agree with their point of view. What exactly is so immoral about that?

The alternative is this: The Government should impose the moral standards of one faction of society on another. It should intervene in private matters of that group of people, but stay out of ours. It should make living a normal, productive life an anathema for them, but we deserve ours.

Alan Lau Kor Loong

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SWOP PARADES FOR EQUALITY? OF COURSE: 

I refer to the article, 'Govt more open to employing gays now' (ST, July 4). For a start, I hope the word 'gay' includes homosexual females.

Thank you, PM Goh, for making the statement, 'We are born this way and they are born that way, but they are like you and me', which effectively acknowledges the equal rights of every person, regardless of sexual orientation, and is a step in the evolution of our Singaporean society towards becoming more inclusive.

The example that Mr Goh gave as something which homosexuals cannot have for now is gay parades. I believe that homosexuals here would gladly not have any gay parades if they can have legal equality soon, though I know 'soon' is a long, tumultuous way ahead.

I am heartened by numerous small examples of my homeland becoming more accepting of sexual minorities, which helps in being a more inclusive, gracious society.

Theophania Chia Shujuan (Ms)

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STOP THIS N-DAY PARTY: 

I am appalled that there is going to be a gay event, the Nation.03 party, on National Day at Sentosa, modelled after the gay Mardi Gras parade of Sydney. This is contrary to the stated view of the Prime Minister, who said that there will be no gay parades in Singapore.

Personally, I agree that the recruitment of our civil servants should be based on merit rather than sexual orientation.

However, allowing gays in the civil service does not mean Singapore society condones public display of homosexuality at a venue associated with family entertainment. Holding such a party on National Day is also an insult to Singapore's independence anniversary.

I believe the Nation.03 party glamorises the homosexual lifestyle, something which runs counter to the moral values of most Singaporeans. I request that the police or the relevant authorities put a stop to this event. [see footnote 1]

Tan Kim Neo (Mdm)  

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