Is same-sex marriage a practical consideration in this age of globalisation?
I was just doing research online -to find relevant articles regarding the current Homosexuals situation in Singapore- that I discovered many heated discussions on this issue. In particular, one entry titled " Section 377A" received over 50 responses various readers!
Ever since MM Lee mentioned about the GAY community of Singapore in July, there has been a huge controversy revolving around two groups of people:
1. Pro-choice ones who believe that it's delayed action for Singapore to still hold on to the Law--Section 377A of the code states that any male person who commits "gross indecency" with another male is subject to up to two years in prison, while other countries including Malaysia, Thailand and even our close economic rival, Hong Kong, decriminalised gay SeX in 1991.
2. Those who agree with MM Lee that Gays will "infect our heartlands" and bring about more negative consequences if we give them the Green light... Thus, the need to maintain this Penal Code and not leave the bar up.
Note that we are only talking about accepting homosexuals in our society (Yes, not even the debate on whether same-sex marriages should be allowed like what Belgium and Canada did :) I find this very ridiculous as any Singaporeans regardless their own sexual preference should be considered part of the country too! Taking the Arts' sector for instance, many creative directors are not straight so are you telling me that we have got to get rid of them all and reject their contributions in our nation? It is simply not acceptable to doubt one's intellectual because he is a gay :p
Pinky Pinky... The Pink dollar has proven to be beneficial for a country's growth too; namely for our neighbour-Thailand. In view of the economic benefits, shouldn't we think twice about integrating the "Pinks" into our society as well? Afterall, human talent is the only 'natural resources' that tiny little Singapore has; it does not make sense for us to discriminate them and cause a potential divide in our homeland.
With the advancement of Technology and globalisation worldwide in this new century, it is time for Singapore to review on her approach towards embracing such "Diversity" of her own people! Like what SM Goh once said, homosexuals "are like you and me" and we should not isolate them based on their sexuality. As in the modern concept of a democratic nation, we focus much on Freedom of speech and respecting Human rights!
Nevertheless, I feel that it will still take quite a (long) while before our country (of a 'conservative' nature) to decriminalise same-sex relationships willingly and accept Gays naturally. Recently, we hear of the Gay teacher in a top boy school being dismissed... It makes me feel sorry for him to have to lose the job (which he may have a great Passion for teaching!) but that is just the fact of life. I can understand that sometimes it is pretty difficult to make a decision in such cases. In Life, it is so not true that everything is either Black or White. We have to take into considerations the Grey regions do exist and to be exact, in many shades too!
Come to think of it, this is not logical at all. It is unfair to link the Gay community--estimated to be 400 000 amongst Singapore's population of 4.5 million--with all the negative traits (PROMOTING homosexuality, HIVs etc) just like that! Gays are not perverts and we should respect them as any other Singaporean citizens as well; since even MM Lee agree with the fact that "Being gay is not something they choose to be, but what they are born with" after verifying it with many professionals...
There are certainly advantages in accepting them and allowing same-sex marriages. Legalisation enables control over health issues, adoption of babies to be possible for the same-sex couple (This will help boost the no. of babies locally!) and most importantly social integration for a more diversified city, isn't that positive?
Enough rebuttals that same-sex couples disobey the 'traditional' way of how the families are formed etc. My question to these critics is: What actually constitutes a family when many Normal families are breaking up and children suffering as a result of such marriage failures! If Male-Female can't do a good job, why not let the other combinations try... Often same-sex couples take great effort stay together and to be able to have their own children, there is indeed a very high chance that they will treasure the child and provide him/her with all the tender loving care they can give :X Personally, I feel that same-sex marriage such be considered seriously as another new option to be opened up for people then.
In conclusion, in conjunction with the ever-changing world, the society needs to hear the different viewpoints and hopefully be open-minded enough to understand or even accept an alternative preference in Life +)
Enjoy reading!
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A well-researched and relevant discussion!Grade: A-
Posted by Guest-mdml @ 15 Sep 2007, 12:39:50 PM
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