July 2003

Letters in the Straits Times, 18 July 2003

source: Straits Times, Forum page, 18 July 2003

 

  

 

 
No reason to condemn gays

I refer to Mr George Lim Heng Chye's letter, 'Govt should rethink hiring of gays' (ST, July 15). Like him I, too, am 'a heterosexual man, married to a heterosexual woman and we have four heterosexual children (two male and two female)'.

Unlike him, I do not condemn homosexual people or their parents. I applaud the stance of the Prime Minister in announcing that the Government is more open to employing gays now.

The lack of understanding of the condition of homosexuality and the harsh homophobic views expressed in the letter are regrettable.

From my meetings with members of the gay and lesbian community, I have come to see them as normal human beings even though their sexual orientation is different from mine.

The professional mental-health organisations are clear and specific about homosexuality. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), no scientific evidence exists to support the effectiveness of any therapy that attempts to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals. APA Executive Director Raymond Fowler states that 'groups who try to change the sexual orientation of people through so-called conversion therapy are misguided and run the risk of causing a great deal of psychological harm to those... they are trying to help'.

The American Academy of Pediatrics states: 'Therapy directed at specifically changing sexual orientation is contraindicated, as it can provoke guilt and anxiety while having little or no potential for achieving changes in orientation.'

The American Medical Association 'does not recommend aversion therapy for gay men and lesbians. Through psychotherapy, gay men and lesbians can become comfortable with their sexual orientation and understand the societal response to it'.

The American Psychiatric Association states: 'There is no published scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of reparative therapy as a treatment to change one's sexual orientation.'

The association also says: 'Gay men and lesbians who have accepted their sexual orientation positively are better adjusted than those who have not done so.'

Professor Seow Choon Leong of Singapore, currently Professor of Old Testament Language and Literature at Princeton Theological Seminary, who edited the book Homosexuality And The Christian Community, gave this confession:

'I also used to believe homosexual acts are always wrong. Listening to gay and lesbian students and friends, however, I have had to rethink my position and reread the Scriptures.

'Seeing how gay and lesbian people suffer discrimination, face the rejection of family and friends, risk losing their jobs, and live in fear of being humiliated and bashed, I cannot see how anyone would prefer to live that way.

'I do not understand it all, but I am persuaded that it is not a matter of choice... I have reconsidered my views, I was wrong.'

In remaking Singapore, the Government is taking a forward step in recognising the rights of homosexuals. It is only right that we do not discriminate against anyone on account of race, religion or sexual orientation.

THE REVEREND DR YAP KIM HAO

* * * * *

 
Keep an open mind and respect differing views

Mr George Lim Heng Chye's comment on hiring of gays raises some issues that warrant further dialogue.

While one would not dispute the need to uphold moral values, to regard the hiring of gays on the part of the Government as a signal of possible moral decadence is being rather simplistic.

The assertion that the gay lifestyle will erode moral values and expose the next generation to corrupting influences seems to suggest that the world we live in, that is predominantly heterosexual in orientation, is a perfect world, vulnerable to deadly influence if we permit the gay lifestyle to prevail.

If we were to survey the kind of problems we experience daily, we would be familiar with physically and sexually abused children, females being raped and molested, people growing up emotionally and mentally disturbed, as well as a variety of deviant behaviours.

Those in the mental-health profession would easily testify that the large majority of them come from homes where parents are heterosexual in orientation.

Mr Lim also seemed rather certain as to how homosexuals become the way they are. Views have always been divided on this issue.

 

Foreword by Yawning Bread

The six letters here were in response to the long letter published in the Straits Times' Forum page on 15 July. Three of the six letters agreed with the earlier anti-gay George Lim letter.

A journalist friend of mine remarked that from the layout of the page, he could tell what the Straits Times' agenda was. The pro-gay letters chosen were the heftier ones, and given more prominence. I have the feeling that the anti-gay letters were significantly edited too.

 

However, there has been an increasing dominant observation that homosexuals do not necessarily come from a sexually abused background, homes without father figures, or being nurtured by dominant mothers, nor were they addicted to pornography. It has also been observed that many who had been sexually abused as children do not end up being homosexuals.

It is still rather unclear as to whether children raised by same-sex parents are necessarily more disturbed than children with heterosexual parents. There is evidence from longitudinal studies that children with same-sex parents may not necessarily exhibit psychological disturbances.

We cannot contend that should homosexuals ever be in key positions in government, there will be a definite corrupting influence filtering through society.

One needs merely to observe those countries that have permitted homosexual marriages to acknowledge that those countries are not falling apart.

Perhaps it might be wiser to adopt an open mind for dialogue and be respectful of differing views.

ANTHONY YEO
Clinical Director
Counselling and Care Centre

* * * * *

 
Not all heterosexuals feel the same way as George Lim

I was struck by the strong sense of conviction and sincerity in the letter by Mr George Lim Heng Chye ('Govt should rethink hiring of gays'; ST, July 15). Struck but not convinced.

From the tone of his letter I know that nothing will sway his fundamental belief that homosexuals, by virtue of their sexual orientation, will manifest behaviours that are against God and nature.

So while I respect his belief, I would like to rebut some of his arguments. I also want to register the fact that there are heterosexuals who do not feel the same way or as strongly about the issue.

The decision to hire a person for a key government position should not be influenced by his sexual orientation. Among other things, what is important are his integrity, intelligence and honesty.

If there's one thing to be lauded about our Government, it is that it holds honesty and integrity in the highest regard. By acknowledging that it does employ homosexuals, it had been cautious and respectful of the conservative citizenry.

Judging by comments from ministers and letters to the Forum, it does not seem likely that gay marriages and gay parades are likely to become a part of our social landscape any time now or in the future.

As for the future generation's values and morals, I seriously doubt that they will be influenced by the Government's acknowledgement that it employs homosexuals.

Are homosexuals the result of nature or abusive nurture? I really can't say but I can honestly say it doesn't matter to me because this much I know: I have homosexual friends who are kind, compassionate, honest and intelligent, just as I know of heterosexuals who are dishonest and unkind - and just as capable of sleeping around.

CATHERINE LIM SUAT HONG  

 

 

The three anti-gay letters:

DISSENTING VOICES

THREAT TO FAMILY SYSTEM: I agree whole-heartedly with Mr George Lim's letter, 'Govt should rethink hiring of gays' (ST, July 15). What message is the Government sending to the people by allowing gays to take on key positions in our society?

Some of these people might one day take on leadership roles in the Government. What's next then? Gay parades and homosexual behaviour might be made legal.

If homosexuality is allowed to take root, the family system would disintegrate. If the Government wants Singaporeans to be more open-minded, fine. But in doing so, let us not compromise our moral values.

DOROTHY KOH (MS)

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STRESS HETEROSEXUALITY: With the recent move to increase acceptance of gays, there needs to be a limit on how much diversity we can tolerate and accept.

Society, somehow, has to express its clear preference for heterosexuality, without denying anyone his dignity, so that children who are discovering their sexual identity know what the norm is.

Just as with religion, anyone who speaks on behalf of the Government should not proclaim himself to be gay. No one should represent the gay movement politically.

JOEY CHIANG YUET CHING (MISS)

* * * * *

DON'T CONDONE UNNATURAL BEHAVIOUR: What kind of morality are we inculcating in Singapore when we implicitly condone homosexuality? What kind of signals is the Government sending to its citizens?

Being in a multi-religious society, shouldn't the authorities heed the moral teachings and reservations of religious groups?

I am not condemning homosexuals and lesbians. We should sympathise with them and help them, as we do with drug addicts. But we must never condone their unnatural behaviour.

THE REVEREND DR GEORGE WAN TIAN SOO

 

Footnotes

  1. The writer of the first letter, Dr Yap Kim Hao, was the former Bishop of the Methodist Church in Singapore. He is now retired. The writer of the last letter, Dr George Wan Tian Soo, is a retired senior pastor, also with the Methodist Church here.

  2. See also Letters not in the Straits Times, 18 July 2003, and COOS wants a "nation of righteous Christians"

 

Addenda

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