Due to the article published on Monday, the gay debate continued on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A letter from the conservatives:
What’s next? Same sex marriages?
Anton Chan
Mr Ho Kwon Ping is wrong to propose the acceptance of gays into Singapore society because accepting a gay lifestyle would have a tremendous impact on society as a whole in terms of religious beliefs, social well-being and families.
As a Christian, I oppose legalising a gay lifestyle in Singapore because it’s against my beliefs. As a father of three teenagers, I care because I don’t want my children to be affected by such a lifestyle.
Imagine if we allow the acceptance of such a lifestyle in Singapore. What next? Legalise same sex marriages? Legalise adoption of children for gays?
Where are we as a socially-conservative society heading towards?
Soon gays will claim the right for social acceptance in all areas including education, welfare et cetera. What effect will this have on the next generation of children and parents who wish that their children will grow up normally and produce children in the normal course of their being?
The only strong contention in Mr Ho’s proposal is the so-called gay leading edge in the “creative class”. Doesn’t our society have many other people to develop and nurture? Why are we so eager to promote creative class talent in Singapore? So that we can become a more tolerant society to accept whatever lifestyle these bring? Definitely no.
I would like to borrow a similar argument by Attorney-General Walter Woon regarding the Human Organ Transplant Act (Hota). In “None above the law” (Sept 8), he said: “If Dr Lee (Wei Ling) disagrees with Hota, she is at perfect liberty to campaign to have it amended … But until Parliament amends or repeals the Hota and the Oaths and Declarations Act, they remain the law of Singapore.”
If anyone disagrees with the law for gays as enacted by Parliament, he/she is at perfect liberty to campaign to have it amended … But until Parliament amends or repeals the law of Singapore for gays, it remains the law of Singapore.
What irks me most is when people start of their argument with "As a Christian, I oppose ...". How come they never say "As a thinking Christian" or "As a logical and rational adult"?
Because they don't think and they're not logical. If they do, they would realise how stupid and flawed their arguments are. It is as if being of a certain religion precludes the usage of the cerebrum.
When a person claims to be a Christian, it is implicitly saying that they are just taking the Bible word for word, no questions asked. More than 10 years of education down the drain.
If someone were to follow the Bible to the word, then why doesn't he ask for laws to make an offense for adultery? Why not push for and make it a punishable offense for anyone who works on Sunday?
Why not impose one's beliefs on everyone else? Because apparently, there is no such thing as live and let live in the minds of the narrow-minded religious. It is "I am right and they are wrong" kind of mentality.
Of course, I am only referring to those so called "educated" people who can't think for themselves. There are pastors and Christians who believed that everyone is God's creation and each of us deserves happiness, freedom and love. But unfortunately the latter number less than the former.
In addition, the writer totally went off tangent and did not rebut from the rule of law perspective.
I am not sure why I keep giving blogspace to these kind of letters. Sigh.
Showing posts with label letter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label letter. Show all posts
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
AIDS in Asia
The article below appeared in a Singapore free newspaper about 3 weeks ago.
1 in 5 Asian Homosexuals Has HIV
UNITED NATIONS — HIV infection rates among gay men in many parts of Asia are as severe as those which devastated homosexual communities in the United States in the late ’80s, said top officials of the United Nations Aids agency UNAIDS.
Launching his agency’s 2008 report on the global Aids epidemic, Mr Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS, urged more action to prevent the spread of the disease among gay men who have unsafe sex. He also stressed the importance of working with affected communities.
Mr Piot said: “All over Asia there are now epidemics of HIV in men who have sex with men, at the same magnitude that we saw in this country 25 years ago. That is something that has been detected fairly recently. There is not enough action yet but we are now starting programs,” he added.
Paul De Lay, director of Evidence, Monitoring and Policy at UNAIDS, said the HIV epidemic among gay communities in Asia was not new, but that it had recently reached the levels seen in cities such as San Francisco at the end of the 1980s when HIV infections reached their peak.
He said it could be due to a number of factors, including less funding for programs that target men who have sex with men and the fact that there were new groups who were less aware of the risks of unprotected sex.
“Asia has recognized populations of men who have sex with men for quite some time,” he told AFP. “The epidemic in these populations started in the mid-1990s. What we see now is a resurgence.”
“There are countries where the percentage of people infected are similar to what we were seeing in San Francisco or in Berlin or in London where up to 15 to 20 percent of men who have sex with men are HIV positive,” he added.
The report meanwhile noted that unprotected sex between men was a “potentially significant but under-researched aspect of the HIV epidemics in Asia,” citing countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.
“Recent study data from several major cities in the region, from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, show increasing HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men,” the report said.
In China, unsafe sex between men could account for up to seven per cent of HIV infections, it noted.
De Lay said there were also high infection rates among gay populations in cities such as Chennai and Mumbai in India and in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta.
He added that these communities often faced homophobia from the wider population, as well as discrimination from health care providers, which discouraged them from seeking information and getting tested.
“Even without blatant national laws that criminalize homosexual behavior, you can still have a gradation of policies and practices that can be almost as bad,” he said.
De Lay pointed to a similar resurgence of HIV infections among gay populations in the US and western Europe, which he said showed the need for constant vigilance.
The report said higher risk unprotected sex among gay men in several countries in western Europe, such as Germany, appeared to be linked to the increasing numbers of new HIV diagnoses among that group.
“It’s disturbing because it’s this sense that we can never let our guard down as far as prevention, that the epidemic will come creeping back if there isn’t this constant attention being paid to it,” De Lay said. -AFP
I believe the same report appeared in quite a few other news publications as well.
But there was something that didn't seem quite right. Could you guess what it was?
Read the title again.
It wasn't mentioned anywhere in the article that 1 in 5 or 20% of gay Asian men is gay. It only said that up to 15 to 20% of gay men are HIV-positive.
I am not trying to nitpick here, but there is a difference. And a huge difference at that.
It's like a sale which says up to 20% discount, which could be only 5%, 10% or whatever amount below 20%, as compared to a sale of 20% discount, which means ALL items are 20% cheaper.
If someone were to read the title of the report only without reading further, he or she would have the wrong idea that one-fifth of gay men are HIV-positive.
I am not trying to underestimate readers intelligence, but stereotypes and discrimination abound. The human brain is programmed to categorise and pigeon-hole things neatly into little boxes. As such, reading the misleading title would likely lead readers to think that only gay men contract AIDS or that it is a predominantly a gay disease or straight people are less likely to contract the disease.
All of the above are not desirable or positive outcomes. It probably would have done some damage to the hard work and effort of HIV education programs to change public perception about the virus.
In my opinion, there are two concerns regarding such inappropriate headline:
1) it reinforces the misconception that it is a homosexual disease and only homosexuals get it. This would make other segments of society believe they are not at risk and thus may erroneously think that they do not need to take precautions like practicing safer sex
2) it paints a picture of doom and gloom for homosexuals, that one in five gays are likely to become infected. Being gay doesn't doom a person to a life of suffering and HIV. It is about being true to yourself and loving yourself for it. There is hope, optimism and happiness and those are not in the domain of heterosexuals only.
Actually, I had written in an email to the newspaper stating my concerns and the reasons, but it was not published. I have also sent it to Straits Times and it was also declined.
Just for readers information, the original headline reads "AIDS hitting Asian gays at high rates: UN".
So is it a case of deliberate anti-gay propaganda or just plain sensational reporting?
1 in 5 Asian Homosexuals Has HIV
UNITED NATIONS — HIV infection rates among gay men in many parts of Asia are as severe as those which devastated homosexual communities in the United States in the late ’80s, said top officials of the United Nations Aids agency UNAIDS.
Launching his agency’s 2008 report on the global Aids epidemic, Mr Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS, urged more action to prevent the spread of the disease among gay men who have unsafe sex. He also stressed the importance of working with affected communities.
Mr Piot said: “All over Asia there are now epidemics of HIV in men who have sex with men, at the same magnitude that we saw in this country 25 years ago. That is something that has been detected fairly recently. There is not enough action yet but we are now starting programs,” he added.
Paul De Lay, director of Evidence, Monitoring and Policy at UNAIDS, said the HIV epidemic among gay communities in Asia was not new, but that it had recently reached the levels seen in cities such as San Francisco at the end of the 1980s when HIV infections reached their peak.
He said it could be due to a number of factors, including less funding for programs that target men who have sex with men and the fact that there were new groups who were less aware of the risks of unprotected sex.
“Asia has recognized populations of men who have sex with men for quite some time,” he told AFP. “The epidemic in these populations started in the mid-1990s. What we see now is a resurgence.”
“There are countries where the percentage of people infected are similar to what we were seeing in San Francisco or in Berlin or in London where up to 15 to 20 percent of men who have sex with men are HIV positive,” he added.
The report meanwhile noted that unprotected sex between men was a “potentially significant but under-researched aspect of the HIV epidemics in Asia,” citing countries such as Thailand and Vietnam.
“Recent study data from several major cities in the region, from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, show increasing HIV prevalence among men who have sex with men,” the report said.
In China, unsafe sex between men could account for up to seven per cent of HIV infections, it noted.
De Lay said there were also high infection rates among gay populations in cities such as Chennai and Mumbai in India and in Indonesia’s capital Jakarta.
He added that these communities often faced homophobia from the wider population, as well as discrimination from health care providers, which discouraged them from seeking information and getting tested.
“Even without blatant national laws that criminalize homosexual behavior, you can still have a gradation of policies and practices that can be almost as bad,” he said.
De Lay pointed to a similar resurgence of HIV infections among gay populations in the US and western Europe, which he said showed the need for constant vigilance.
The report said higher risk unprotected sex among gay men in several countries in western Europe, such as Germany, appeared to be linked to the increasing numbers of new HIV diagnoses among that group.
“It’s disturbing because it’s this sense that we can never let our guard down as far as prevention, that the epidemic will come creeping back if there isn’t this constant attention being paid to it,” De Lay said. -AFP
I believe the same report appeared in quite a few other news publications as well.
But there was something that didn't seem quite right. Could you guess what it was?
Read the title again.
It wasn't mentioned anywhere in the article that 1 in 5 or 20% of gay Asian men is gay. It only said that up to 15 to 20% of gay men are HIV-positive.
I am not trying to nitpick here, but there is a difference. And a huge difference at that.
It's like a sale which says up to 20% discount, which could be only 5%, 10% or whatever amount below 20%, as compared to a sale of 20% discount, which means ALL items are 20% cheaper.
If someone were to read the title of the report only without reading further, he or she would have the wrong idea that one-fifth of gay men are HIV-positive.
I am not trying to underestimate readers intelligence, but stereotypes and discrimination abound. The human brain is programmed to categorise and pigeon-hole things neatly into little boxes. As such, reading the misleading title would likely lead readers to think that only gay men contract AIDS or that it is a predominantly a gay disease or straight people are less likely to contract the disease.
All of the above are not desirable or positive outcomes. It probably would have done some damage to the hard work and effort of HIV education programs to change public perception about the virus.
In my opinion, there are two concerns regarding such inappropriate headline:
1) it reinforces the misconception that it is a homosexual disease and only homosexuals get it. This would make other segments of society believe they are not at risk and thus may erroneously think that they do not need to take precautions like practicing safer sex
2) it paints a picture of doom and gloom for homosexuals, that one in five gays are likely to become infected. Being gay doesn't doom a person to a life of suffering and HIV. It is about being true to yourself and loving yourself for it. There is hope, optimism and happiness and those are not in the domain of heterosexuals only.
Actually, I had written in an email to the newspaper stating my concerns and the reasons, but it was not published. I have also sent it to Straits Times and it was also declined.
Just for readers information, the original headline reads "AIDS hitting Asian gays at high rates: UN".
So is it a case of deliberate anti-gay propaganda or just plain sensational reporting?
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
No gaiety in family
The letter below is taken from the Sunday Star.
Isn't sweet that they're together for 5 years already? By most gays' standards, that would be like an eternity. My own relationships, none has lasted more than a year.
But of course, there are exceptions. There are those who have been together 20 or 30 years.
And of course, most of us would like to have someone to love and be loved for life.
Notice how the introduction go. Why must be introduce himself by saying he is straight-acting? Why no one ever says they're gay-acting?
Oh wait, the couple is still very much in the closet.
Which is why I think that Thelma's advice is very reasonable and wise. He should meet more people and expand his social network, built up more confidence so that he can learn about himself and the world better.
The two of them is so deep in the closet, judging by the letter!
Read from somewhere, if you want to stay in the closet, make sure it's comfy and don't complain it's dark. Or something to that effect.
Still, I wish the author and his boyfriend all the best. In the relationship and his studies.
To all those couples out there, may you be happy and together as long as possible. To all those singles, please do not be desperate. Good things come to those who wait.
May the Year of the Fire Piggy brings lot of love luck!
I AM a very straight-looking 20-year-old guy. Many of my friends say I am good looking. Ever since I was a young boy, I've been gay. I just love older guys.
My boyfriend M, who is double my age, loves and cares for me very much and I know he is a good guy.
We met through the Internet and have known each other for five years. I even furthered my studies away from my hometown to be with him.
We are a loving couple who love the simple things in life. We do not go to pubs and keep to a small circle of friends. We do not have any gay friends and are two straight-looking men.
My biggest problem now is my family.
My siblings are dead set against our relationship, especially my eldest sister who has even threatened to harm my boyfriend. Even my mum does not want to understand me. Only one of my elder sisters is understanding and she knows I am still seeing M.
I am “grounded” and not allowed to see M or go out with him. I am forced to return all his gifts. I am brainwashed to change, to be “normal”.
They even put the whole blame on M, accusing him of influencing me to be gay. I have tried to explain to them that I was the one who started it all and wooed M.
M is a professional and I know him well. His family knows me and does not mind me seeing him.
My own family is forcing me to go straight and to date girls. I was given two months to change. Otherwise, my family will disown me!
What my family does not know is that I am still seeing M. M and I love each other very much.
We plan to migrate when I am older. When I was studying abroad, M took care of me. He has advised me to be strong and patient, and to remain faithful to my family.
Only when I am older and mature, I think, will they finally give up or understand that this is not simply another phase of my life that is forced upon me.
What I do not understand is why people are so discriminating towards gays.
Why does my family put so much pressure on me?
Why do they go so far as to threaten to disown me?
Forcing me to do things that I dislike will only make me suffer for the rest of my life.
To Be Or Not To Be
M is right. Be patient and do not put so much pressure on yourself. Understand that it is very difficult for loved ones to accept that you are different.
Know that they truly want the best for you so do not resent their interference. Accept that it will take time before they can come to terms with your sexual orientation.
Do not force yourself to date girls or try too hard to appear “normal”. You will soon hate yourself for betraying your love and feelings.
Tell your family that you would prefer to concentrate on your studies than get involved in any relationships for now. Prove that you are focused and capable of planning your career and future.
At the same time, there is no harm in building up a network of friends, female and male. You do not have to be alone if you are not with M.
Enjoying a simple life is fine. But isolating yourself from life is not the best way to live.
Do not be so bitter and angry with your family. You are still young and your family must honestly feel that you have yet to know your heart and mind.
You were only 15 when you met M. While you believe that you know what you are doing, you have grown from teenager to young adulthood under his influence.
It may be good for you to be away from him for some time so that you get to understand yourself and your needs better.
Know the world outside your tiny sphere. But be warned that you should not indulge in multi-partner sexual experiences.
Think of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. Think of a wasted life trashed by empty sex without love.
You are only 20. Give yourself the chance to flex your wings and relish all that youth can offer.
There is time for love. There will always be forgiveness from loved ones. You lead your life. Do it without regrets, resentment or guilt.
Isn't sweet that they're together for 5 years already? By most gays' standards, that would be like an eternity. My own relationships, none has lasted more than a year.
But of course, there are exceptions. There are those who have been together 20 or 30 years.
And of course, most of us would like to have someone to love and be loved for life.
Notice how the introduction go. Why must be introduce himself by saying he is straight-acting? Why no one ever says they're gay-acting?
Oh wait, the couple is still very much in the closet.
Which is why I think that Thelma's advice is very reasonable and wise. He should meet more people and expand his social network, built up more confidence so that he can learn about himself and the world better.
The two of them is so deep in the closet, judging by the letter!
Read from somewhere, if you want to stay in the closet, make sure it's comfy and don't complain it's dark. Or something to that effect.
Still, I wish the author and his boyfriend all the best. In the relationship and his studies.
To all those couples out there, may you be happy and together as long as possible. To all those singles, please do not be desperate. Good things come to those who wait.
May the Year of the Fire Piggy brings lot of love luck!
############################
I AM a very straight-looking 20-year-old guy. Many of my friends say I am good looking. Ever since I was a young boy, I've been gay. I just love older guys.
My boyfriend M, who is double my age, loves and cares for me very much and I know he is a good guy.
We met through the Internet and have known each other for five years. I even furthered my studies away from my hometown to be with him.
We are a loving couple who love the simple things in life. We do not go to pubs and keep to a small circle of friends. We do not have any gay friends and are two straight-looking men.
My biggest problem now is my family.
My siblings are dead set against our relationship, especially my eldest sister who has even threatened to harm my boyfriend. Even my mum does not want to understand me. Only one of my elder sisters is understanding and she knows I am still seeing M.
I am “grounded” and not allowed to see M or go out with him. I am forced to return all his gifts. I am brainwashed to change, to be “normal”.
They even put the whole blame on M, accusing him of influencing me to be gay. I have tried to explain to them that I was the one who started it all and wooed M.
M is a professional and I know him well. His family knows me and does not mind me seeing him.
My own family is forcing me to go straight and to date girls. I was given two months to change. Otherwise, my family will disown me!
What my family does not know is that I am still seeing M. M and I love each other very much.
We plan to migrate when I am older. When I was studying abroad, M took care of me. He has advised me to be strong and patient, and to remain faithful to my family.
Only when I am older and mature, I think, will they finally give up or understand that this is not simply another phase of my life that is forced upon me.
What I do not understand is why people are so discriminating towards gays.
Why does my family put so much pressure on me?
Why do they go so far as to threaten to disown me?
Forcing me to do things that I dislike will only make me suffer for the rest of my life.
To Be Or Not To Be
M is right. Be patient and do not put so much pressure on yourself. Understand that it is very difficult for loved ones to accept that you are different.
Know that they truly want the best for you so do not resent their interference. Accept that it will take time before they can come to terms with your sexual orientation.
Do not force yourself to date girls or try too hard to appear “normal”. You will soon hate yourself for betraying your love and feelings.
Tell your family that you would prefer to concentrate on your studies than get involved in any relationships for now. Prove that you are focused and capable of planning your career and future.
At the same time, there is no harm in building up a network of friends, female and male. You do not have to be alone if you are not with M.
Enjoying a simple life is fine. But isolating yourself from life is not the best way to live.
Do not be so bitter and angry with your family. You are still young and your family must honestly feel that you have yet to know your heart and mind.
You were only 15 when you met M. While you believe that you know what you are doing, you have grown from teenager to young adulthood under his influence.
It may be good for you to be away from him for some time so that you get to understand yourself and your needs better.
Know the world outside your tiny sphere. But be warned that you should not indulge in multi-partner sexual experiences.
Think of HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases. Think of a wasted life trashed by empty sex without love.
You are only 20. Give yourself the chance to flex your wings and relish all that youth can offer.
There is time for love. There will always be forgiveness from loved ones. You lead your life. Do it without regrets, resentment or guilt.
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