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| Straits Times Forum letter: Whether heterosexual or gay, treat all equally |
The following appeared in The Straits Times' Forum page and ST Online on 1 May 2007. The original letter was sent with all of our founding members' signatures, in addition to Susan's. (In their exchange with Susan, The Straits Times said they would only print one.) The letter was also edited by The Straits Times for publication.
If you would like to show your support for our letter, you may sign your name, and any further comments, in the link below. Alternatively, you may send in your names and comments to our email address - safesingapore[at]gmail.com.
*Show your support*
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1 May 2007
Whether heterosexual or gay, treat all equally
SAFE is a group of family and friends who affirm and support gay and transgendered people as persons with equal rights to respect, dignity, acceptance and empowerment in society.
We are writing to express our thanks to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew for his recent comments at the dialogue with Young PAP and in the interview with Reuters.
We appreciate the two cogent points he made:
That homosexuality is a genetic variation, not an aberration.
That the law against homosexual acts is outmoded.
We at Safe are hopeful that the law that criminalises homosexual acts will be abolished. Whether heterosexual or gay, we believe that all Singapore citizens and residents should be treated equally under the law.
We cannot agree with a law that proclaims our sons, grandsons, brothers, nephews, uncles, relatives and friends as criminals for a propensity that is not of their volition, is innocuous and part of their private lives. For far too long our gay loved ones from a young age have suffered deep internalised oppression, often resulting in the disintegration of family, compromised relationships, low self-esteem, stunted maturity and unavoidable deceitfulness.
We support the decriminalisation of oral and anal sex as proposed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and ask that it apply equally to all consenting adults.
Homosexual men and women enrich our lives through their participation in business, the professions, the arts and government. As we focus on the richness gay people bring to our lives and our love and support for them, we not only liberate them, but we also become a society committed to the Asian values of real family.
Susan Yap Siu Sen (Ms)
Founding member S A F E
Supporting, Affirming & Empowering our lgbtQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, questioning) friends and family
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Read our press release:
SAFE responds to MM Lee's comments on homosexuality
Read the Reuters article:
Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew questions homosexuality ban
Read a related letter on today's Forum page:
Justify why gay acts should remain criminalLabels: News |
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| 9 Comments: |
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You have my full support and I would like to join your group.
Best regards
Stephen VOON
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This is wonderful. Go for it. Let's do it. It's now or never.
There are just too many conservative people in our society. They are worse than the government in so many ways.
We need to enlighten these people and save them from their own blindness and myopia.
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Mr Voon, we are very heartened indeed by your support, and your request to join SAFE. Please mail us at safesingapore[at}gmail.com and we will get in touch with you. Thank you for your encouragement in our work.
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I fully agree with the proposition that ALL people should be treated equally regardless of race, language, religion and sexual orientation. Its time we evolved and accept each other for what we are, differences and all. Kudos to the Minister Mentor for his enlightened approach!
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I really don't see how much homosexuals differ from the heterosexuals, except our object of interest is of the same sex. I support your cause.
Regards
Moto
Bananation
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Kudoes to MM Lee for his mindset-changing words.
Kudoes to you for your life-changing and societal-evolving efforts.
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Spore love to fight hard for all kinds of BEST. But when come to Gay Issues, our Gov's stand is....?
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Everyone should be treated equally. MM Lee is a man of great vision and his comments on this subject in Singapore's conservative society will give more credence in the thinking of the main stream.
I have an article on the Penal Code 377 on my blog
http://lawyers-attorneys-law.blogspot.com/2007/04/singapore-gay-sex-law.html
The article was written in a neutral tone to attract both supporters of the amendments to the penal code and disenters to create a lively debate. Please leave your comments.
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Discrimination of any kind should have no place in this world.
I have an article on 377 penal code on my blog. It was written in a neutral tone to attract comments. Please comment if you have any.
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You have my full support and I would like to join your group.
Best regards
Stephen VOON