Tag Archives: Wearwhite

SINGAPORE - Communications and Information Minister Yaacob Ibrahim has instructed the National Library Board to place two controversial children's books in its adult section, instead of pulping them. "The decision on what books children can or cannot read remains with their parents. Parents who wish to borrow these books to read with their children will have the option to do so," he said in response to queries

I do not believe homosexuality falls in the category of issues which should be excluded. In fact, neither does the NLB. It says it carries such books in the Adult section. But I think most neutrals would agree that children should read books with controversial themes supervised. I do not agree with the argument that destroying books is akin to censorship, and that all censorship is bad.

But gay Singaporeans say they've never had it so good. Although nightspots like Taboo have existed for years, the emergence of a gay "district" like Tanjong Pagar was unthinkable a few years ago. Now the government closes one eye to the existence of these places as long as the patrons behave. If the laws are still weighted against them, gays reason that the government has its compulsions. "Singapore is an island nation surrounded by Muslim states. It would be too provocative to repeal any anti-gay laws now," explains Addie Loh, on of Taboo's owners.

THE animal kingdom's most famous gay couple has split up. Silo and Roy, the cohabiting penguins of Central Park Zoo, are no longer an item. But the affair ended when Scrappy, a new female penguin, moved into the neighbourhood and caught Silo's eye. "Silo and Roy stopped spending as much time together or building a nest," John Rowden, the zoo's head curator, told The New York Post. They blazed a trail for six other gay penguin couples at the zoo.

Bring your child and his/her favourite books down to the National Library atrium (outdoor area, near the Hanis cafe), where we'll all be reading together. Copies of And Tango Makes Three and Who's In My Family? will be available to share. If you have copies to share, please bring them along too. And if you have a stuffed toy penguin, do bring it along too. <(")

Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has announced it has removed the "buddy system" from its combat doctrine with effect from today (10 July). In a press statement to the media, SAF spokesperson reiterated they are constantly reviewing its training procedures to ensure the SAF is "keeping up with the times". The "buddy system" is a traditional military doctrine which requires individual soldiers to function in pairs during training and operations to ensure safety and accountability.

Dear A.S.S, Please see the attachments. I have attached the children book "And Tango Makes Three". It was removed from National Library Board shelves recently for being "anti-family". I am sending this to you because I want Singaporeans to decide what to read for themselves and not subject themselves to PAP censorship.

Children's books are not the right forum for a discussion on alternative lifestyles. In a 2009 statement, the ministry explained that schools do not promote alternative lifestyles to students, and that its framework for sexuality education reflects the "mainstream views and values of Singapore society, where the social norm consists of the married heterosexual family unit" ("Why MOE suspended Aware project"; May 7, 2009).

Their withdrawal on this basis should be a cause for concern. It goes against the values of tolerance and the embracing of diversity — which we should strive to impart to children — while also imposing the values of a particular group on the masses. Given that the books are pitched at a young audience with adult supervision to be expected, instead of withdrawing them, parents should be allowed to choose whether their children have access to them or not.

We have watched the media’s one-sided coverage regarding NLB’s decision to pull out two books from its shelves and are dismayed. NLB’s decision to remove the books has nothing to do with inclusivity but everything to do with children’s interest. Children are unable to evaluate homosexual content and stimulus at their age. They are also one of the core clienteles of our libraries. NLB owes them the responsibility to be prudent in the selection of books. It is only right that NLB acts upon its duty of looking after the interests of children.