Tag Archives: lgbt

Lawrence Wong should take ownership of MOE policies instead of taking the cowards way out of not addressing it.

Are times changing? Is the 158th media finally sick of doing the PAP's bidding and now dying to come out of their reigns? They must be either really hungry for readership or they are being rebellious to test water.

Ho Ching, the wife of PM Lee and possible the richest CEO in Singapore ever, has shared yet another pro-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) post on her social media page. Ho Ching, of course, has been notorious lately for flood posting her FB page with many links every single day.

Here is what I learned going to this years Pink Dot (my first) as a straight, Christian-raised, middle aged father. I'm not gay. I'm not an activist. I have no (pro or anti) LGBT agenda. I just figure the world has enough real problems. Pink Dot and what it represents ain't one of them.

I personally do not need Pink Dot nor a gay pride parade because I live with pride everyday of my life and surround myself with friends and loved ones. I am proud of my career achievements, my life experiences, and not because of my identity. I don’t need an annual virtue signalling parade to make me feel good about who I am. The fact is, I am a Singaporean first, and a transgender second. I would rather be celebrated for the former than for being different as the latter.

A group of foreign companies such as Facebook, Google and Uber wrote in to Singapore authorities to ask for permission to support this year's Pink Dot but were unfortunately rejected. In their letter, the group of companies expressed support for inclusivity, diversity and in creating a safe space for their employees to work in. They understand Singapore has its own regulations and already suggested not to have their names listed or recognised as official sponsors. They also assured that no foreign representatives will speak at the event. However, our authorities still flat out rejected their application to support the event. Instead of explaining why they rejected the application, the authorities reiterated that foreign entities must abide by our laws and not fund or support events that concern our domestic matters. Do you think this is necessary to make Pink Dot free from "foreign intervention"?

At my first Pink Dot in 2013, I turned up at HLP in black, surrounded by a sea of pink. I've managed to get it right every year since. Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS), on the other hand, is still getting it wrong.

I write to you today with a heavy heart. I have been and always will be a Singaporean Son. Someone who has done his part to play a constructive role in society. Having done my duty to the country in the highest capacity that I could. However, something that I have learnt as of late is that my country will never stand by me.

ASAS also cited the SCAP’s General Principles, specifically under its “Family values” section 10.1, where advertisements should not “downplay the importance of the family as a unit and foundation of society.”” In what way does the advertisement breach “community support and respect for the individual”; and “consensus, not conflict”? Is this arguably, in contravention of the United Nations’ resolutions on the protection and discrimination of LGBT rights passed on 30 June 2016, 2014 and 2011?

Cathay Cineleisure has been asked to remove the subtitle, "Supporting the Freedom to Love", from its Pink Dot 2017 poster following an online controversy over the advertisement.