Being Gay In Singapore

[Guest Sg-gay]

Why singapore don't allow gay? Can't we have freedom to love.. Alot of my friend from other countries ask me, why Singapore don't allow homosexual?

In phillipines, gov won't give a damn whether u r plu or st8.. Cos leading a good county is their priority not about personal relationship.. ( a Pinoy told me this)

A friend said "Singapore gov too free" 该管的不，不改管的扁扁管"

A friend said this, Singapore very old fashion. Appearance look very fashionable but it's just a cover. Singapore is following the old British law but new British law strip away this homosexual law.

So can't we have freedom to love?

Why can't sg gov focus more on price rising and other country matters?

[derryfawne]

Ideologically speaking, Singapore is a nation that favors social stability above everything else.

It promotes the traditional Asian values that favors the collective function of society over individual interests. Thus, as long as homosexuality is being stigmatized by the society, a nod for homosexuality lifestyle may be deemed as a catalyst for potential destabilizing effect and chaos resulting from hate groups.

This is nothing new. Freedom of expression (including freedom of expressing love, for that matter) has never been the main pillar of the nation. This issue can be observed all the way from Internet censorship down to the subservient nature of press to the government (as opposed to being the citizen watchdog to monitor government administration).

When all is said and done, indeed Singapore turns out to be a country with enviable net of safety and stability. Ends do not necessarily justify means, though. Whether or not the means in question is of justifiable nature... I'll leave that at your discretion.

Edited July 2, 2011 by derryfawne

[briax]

Unfortunately your friend just gave you a half baked story. Two Filipinos friends who are very involved in the LGBT movement in Philippines shared these with me:

a. While the country did not have anti-homosexual laws, primarily because they were ruled by the Americans, the society is heavily influenced by the Catholic Church. And in Philippines, religion is enmeshed in the government policy. If you did not know, they are debating fiercely now on contraception laws in Philippines which the Church rejected flatly, even though the country obviously cannot feed all the people well.

b. Lesbians in Philippines are often harassed by the local authorities. And many angry parents will report to the police that their daughters are kidnapped by tomboys. In these cases, the older lesbian partner will be charged under anti-kidnapping laws, even if the other person is a willing party. In some cases, the police also did nothing to protect the lesbians when their parents arranged "cure rape" of them. In this country, there is a widespread belief that lesbians can be cured after being raped by a man.

c. Another classic joke which my friend just told me last month after he was calling the Health Ministry to look into the rapidly increasing HIV infection rates in the gay Filipinos. The only solution offered was "ask gay men have sex with one person per month" This is from an official who obviously know that the HIV infection rate in gay Filipino men is increasing by two folds annually.

d. Police will use anti-trafficking and anti-prostitution laws to enter saunas, gay clubs and gay businesses forcibly to round up gay men.

Of course, I am not saying that we are living in a perfect gay accepting society in Singapore and the Section 377A is like an annoying piece of antique that should be removed. But before you jump to conclusion that life outside there is easier for gay men, do find out more. You will be very surprised why so many gay foreigners are moving to Singapore, it is safer on the ground and in the society.

[Guest tripod dick]

Why singapore don't allow gay? Can't we have freedom to love.. Alot of my friend from other countries ask me, why Singapore don't allow homosexual?

In phillipines, gov won't give a damn whether u r plu or st8.. Cos leading a good county is their priority not about personal relationship.. ( a Pinoy told me this)

A friend said "Singapore gov too free" 该管的不，不改管的扁扁管"

A friend said this, Singapore very old fashion. Appearance look very fashionable but it's just a cover. Singapore is following the old British law but new British law strip away this homosexual law.

So can't we have freedom to love?

Why can't sg gov focus more on price rising and other country matters?

A HALF BAKED , irresposible statement about the development of gaz movement in Singapore . SOMEONE who has not seen the changes since the earlz 80s from the earlz PLU started bz Alex Au and friends to actively engaged the powers that be, to register a group, to have two waz communications and sometimes strong words, things have slowly developed to what it is today, u have so many gay run businesses like saunas, pubs , clubs.

u think u want free for all, no chains liberation, even the freest countries like scandinavia have rules and laws regulating gay beahviour in public places.

go read up from wikipedia and Yawning bread website, zou must be pretty young thing, 20s i guess.

[briax]

Why singapore don't allow gay? Can't we have freedom to love.. Alot of my friend from other countries ask me, why Singapore don't allow homosexual?

In phillipines, gov won't give a damn whether u r plu or st8.. Cos leading a good county is their priority not about personal relationship.. ( a Pinoy told me this)

A friend said "Singapore gov too free" 该管的不，不改管的扁扁管"

A friend said this, Singapore very old fashion. Appearance look very fashionable but it's just a cover. Singapore is following the old British law but new British law strip away this homosexual law.

So can't we have freedom to love?

Why can't sg gov focus more on price rising and other country matters?

And dun think if there is no discriminating law against gay men, you will have the freedom to love. Hong Kong has removed the law and the society is far from accepting. China has no laws against gay men too, but the government will find ways to harass you for anything. In fact, with or without these laws, you still have to work on your own acceptance of yourself and people still got to make sure the society learn to embrace different sexual orientations.

[riverrobles]

As a Filipino in Singapore, let me say I feel safer here compared to any country in ASEAN (of course except Thailand).

Safer because I don't have that nagging feeling of being harassed by bigots and be bullied. I simply follow the rules and thats it. I've worked mostly in the ASEAN region and I would rate Thailand as 1, Singapore as 2, Indonesia as 3, Philippines as 4 and Malaysia 5 on how free and successful gays can contribute to community (again its just based on personal experience so this can be challenged depending on anyone's perspective).

But in my country, there is false feeling of security. Homosexuals can be seen in any industry be it in government, fashion , film or engineering and be successful but you are not safe if you go to any saunas,gogo bars or movie houses (just waiting for a police raid or a TV news crew for that big scoop). The Philippines is really a very complex case. It's showing to the world it is very democratic but gay-centric laws that would protect gays are still non-existent, it is still a work in progress.

Just imagine, we do not have divorce, the only country aside from Vatican City. Here, the separation between Church and state is blurry. So in Philippines, gays would technically still go to hell (thats one reason I transferred to other ASEAN countries) and now at least I'm in heaven -Singapore.

Happy birthday Singapore! Thank you for taking care of me. :clap:

[Guest Queer Rabbit]

Homosexuals can be seen in any industry be it in government, fashion , film or engineering and be successful but you are not safe if you go to any saunas,gogo bars or movie houses (just waiting for a police raid or a TV news crew for that big scoop).

No wonder most of pinoy gay movies I have seen. The movie will certainly have a bit of that story line showing police raiding those suanas, gay outlets. I didn't quite understand the story with such "police scene" came suddently from nowhere when the gay were having their good times singing, dancing striptease. After what you guys have explained, now I get it. Indeed it is not safe with police given the authority to randomly act on gay people.

In Singapore, the govt is slowly "maturing" because gay people are getting more educated and tend to reason against unjust law imposed on gay rights. The good news is, more gay talent are being imported to help our economy grow and thus we can tap on them to help grow and support Singapore gay community. We want Singapore to be world most intelligent and ultimate gay haven, with or without 377A, so that we can exert more pressure against discrimination from the govt or any segment of this society to force them down.

[cracklesizzle]

In fact, with or without these laws, you still have to work on your own acceptance of yourself and people still got to make sure the society learn to embrace different sexual orientations.

yea, I agree with Briax. To piggyback on it, its better for people to start embracing and accepting the different sexual orientation rather than to have laws in place, causing society to be unhappy with it; especially if the citizens are not ready for such a change. Ultimately, we may be targeted even more by those that have an opposing view on homosexuality. So, its better for people to come to terms with it first, and we as a 46 year old nation, would still have some growing up to do. =)

[Guest inside]

i think the gay community here has to go beyond blaming the law and 377A for human rights and inequality issues. yes, it does serve that inconveniences and might have been implemented upon some of us. but generally, it has not harassed the community to such an extreme.

the main problem lies within the gay community ourselves. how much have we been not arrogant. Singaporean men are known for being bossy and are we supposed to be proud of it? Just because of the general perception that Singaporean men are more good looking, look better, richer, etc?

And even within the community itself, how much have we been supporting each other? what i see is that everyone's racing to be the most famous and the most known through various of means. if we take away the clubbing scene and sauna, what do we have left? of course this does not cover the whole population of the gay community, but looks like the majority does.

how many of those in Pink Dot will march for 377A Repeal?

before focusing on human rights, 377A etc, i think the community has to really evaluate themselves first, especially those who are actively involved in community groups

[Guest Erotictales]

I feel that some of the outreach things the pink community do unfortunately reinforce stereotypes. The first example that comes to mind would be that "contingent" of sorts during one year's Chingay.

I know campiness etc is part of our culture. Still, if you want people to look beyond that, why always flaunt just that?

[Guest Guest 333]

the main problem lies within the gay community ourselves. how much have we been not arrogant. Singaporean men are known for being bossy and are we supposed to be proud of it? Just because of the general perception that Singaporean men are more good looking, look better, richer, etc?

Err, since when Singaporean men are perceived to be better looking?

Another case of self-praising again?

[briax]

i think the gay community here has to go beyond blaming the law and 377A for human rights and inequality issues. yes, it does serve that inconveniences and might have been implemented upon some of us. but generally, it has not harassed the community to such an extreme.

the main problem lies within the gay community ourselves. how much have we been not arrogant. Singaporean men are known for being bossy and are we supposed to be proud of it? Just because of the general perception that Singaporean men are more good looking, look better, richer, etc?

And even within the community itself, how much have we been supporting each other? what i see is that everyone's racing to be the most famous and the most known through various of means. if we take away the clubbing scene and sauna, what do we have left? of course this does not cover the whole population of the gay community, but looks like the majority does.

how many of those in Pink Dot will march for 377A Repeal?

before focusing on human rights, 377A etc, i think the community has to really evaluate themselves first, especially those who are actively involved in community groups

my question will be is there a gay community in the first place? Do the community groups represent the community? Or individuals in the community will come together when there is a need. And i m saying beyond Pink Dot. I might be working in a gay organisation but i never say that me or my organisation will represent the whole gay community. I barely understood the detail of it.

I agreed with you on the part that the community need to evaluate itself, except where and how we start. The community should be more correctly be communities because we are not homogeneous, we are as diverse as the "straight".

What i dun get is your earlier paragraphs about looks, saunas and competitions. Maybe i am a bit more fortunate, i see more lgbt people who did not fit your description. One thing u will need to learn is not to stereotype your own kind. There are more genuine people than u know. :-)

The majority you see and stated is just the surface. And being a sauna goer or clubber is just one aspect of a person, there is always more than side of a person. There is no need to talk about them like they are sinners. The other side of the same person could be the same passionate gay person who is doing his best in making this country understanding us more.

Edited August 10, 2011 by briax

[derryfawne]

my question will be is there a gay community in the first place? Do the community groups represent the community? Or individuals in the community will come together when there is a need. And i m saying beyond Pink Dot. I might be working in a gay organisation but i never say that me or my organisation will represent the whole gay community. I barely understood the detail of it.

I agreed with you on the part that the community need to evaluate itself, except where and how we start. The community should be more correctly be communities because we are not homogeneous, we are as diverse as the "straight".

What i dun get is your earlier paragraphs about looks, saunas and competitions. Maybe i am a bit more fortunate, i see more lgbt people who did not fit your description. One thing u will need to learn is not to stereotype your own kind. There are more genuine people than u know. :-)

The majority you see and stated is just the surface. And being a sauna goer or clubber is just one aspect of a person, there is always more than side of a person. There is no need to talk about them like they are sinners. The other side of the same person could be the same passionate gay person who is doing his best in making this country understanding us more.

Quoted for truth.

[riverrobles]

Of course, I am not saying that we are living in a perfect gay accepting society in Singapore and the Section 377A is like an annoying piece of antique that should be removed. But before you jump to conclusion that life outside there is easier for gay men, do find out more. You will be very surprised why so many gay foreigners are moving to Singapore, it is safer on the ground and in the society.

 

I totally agree on what briax mentioned. I'm one of those foreigners who feel safe being gay in Singapore, having the best offered at both work and play. I do not have this fear lingering whenever I'm in a sauna or bar.

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

Singapore don't accept gays because this country is build and base on one patriarch figure personal ethos and values.

If you know his temperament you will be very grateful that he is even willing to adopt a one eye see one eye close stance in his later years. The divine one seldom compromise for the mortals, just take whatever you have now and work it to your best advantage. The new age has still not arrive yet.

-Don't push it-

[Guest Little Miss Anthropy]

Singapore don't accept gays because this country is build and base on one patriarch figure personal ethos and values.

If you know his temperament you will be very grateful that he is even willing to adopt a one eye see one eye close stance in his later years. The divine one seldom compromise for the mortals, just take whatever you have now and work it to your best advantage. The new age has still not arrive yet.

-Don't push it-

 

 

Actually, our "one patriarch figure" has surprisingly progressive view on homosexuality. 

 

 

http://leewatch.info/2011/02/24/homosexuality-excerpts-from-hard-truths/

 

 

He even quoted Lady Gaga by saying that gays are "born this way." 

 

 

All facetiousness aside, I think derryfawne answered TS's question most eloquently.

[riverrobles]

Actually, our "one patriarch figure" has surprisingly progressive view on homosexuality. 

 

 

http://leewatch.info/2011/02/24/homosexuality-excerpts-from-hard-truths/

 

 

He even quoted Lady Gaga by saying that gays are "born this way." 

I feel safer , safer than ever before. There would be change coming :-) or maybe its already happening with Pink Dot being held every year, the pink establishments sprouting in Singapore and of course the flow of pink dollars. The power is with us .

[gstc82]

Without a doubt, 377a must be expelled! With progress in society, gays will be legalized sooner or later. However, I am worried over the oversealeous conservatives, just look at the majority of comments left by readers of Yahoo Singapore over its reports abt the Pink Dot event.

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

The LGBT community need to have more common causes with the majority (straights) in this country before they can accept us.

We need to foster similarities rather than differences with them in order to truly open up gay liberation movements here.

Always remember the more differences in us with the mainstream society the more ammunition you give to those homophobics, fundamentalists and religious zealots in their side to sway public opinions on gays rights and acceptance.

Just take a look on how this extremists attack LGBT and sway the outlook of those who adopt a neutral stand on things.

Want people to accept and respect you then you have to be a better person in actions, morals and conduct. The largely immature gay population have their work cut out for them.

[gstc82]

The LGBT community need to have more common causes with the majority (straights) in this country before they can accept us.

We need to foster similarities rather than differences with them in order to truly open up gay liberation movements here.

Always remember the more differences in us with the mainstream society the more ammunition you give to those homophobics, fundamentalists and religious zealots in their side to sway public opinions on gays rights and acceptance.

Just take a look on how this extremists attack LGBT and sway the outlook of those who adopt a neutral stand on things.

Want people to accept and respect you then you have to be a better person in actions, morals and conduct. The largely immature gay population have their work cut out for them.

'The largely IMMATURE gay population'?????how do you conclude and judge that the majority of gays in Singapore is immature? what are u implying? your assumption about gays is frivolous and you are judgemental. Once again you who gave you the Moral Authority of 'righteousness' in Singapore. This comes from a man wants Hello Kitty banned and insulted the man in the viral vid FAT man, instead of 'man' and justify it that he IS a overweight man.

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

'The largely IMMATURE gay population'?????how do you conclude and judge that the majority of gays in Singapore is immature? what are u implying? your assumption about gays is frivolous and you are judgemental. Once again you who gave you the Moral Authority of 'righteousness' in Singapore. This comes from a man wants Hello Kitty banned and insulted the man in the viral vid FAT man, instead of 'man' and justify it that he IS a overweight man.

You are the BEST EXAMPLE of what made up of the immature gay folks in SG LGBT community.

You need to think like a straight sometime in order to bridge the distance with them instead of bitching and demanding all the time. Seriously who give a fuck to the minority when they see gays who act like you a screeching banshee 24/7/365.

[gstc82]

You are the BEST EXAMPLE of what made up of the immature gay folks in SG LGBT community.

You need to think like a straight sometime in order to bridge the distance with them instead of bitching and demanding all the time. Seriously who give a fuck to the minority when they see gays who act like you a screeching banshee 24/7/365.

wow, majority of gays behave like me? your accusations against the gay community is getting 'out of hand'.

 

1st- You accused us gays as majority being Immature

2nd- You accused us gays as 'a screeching banshee'

 

are you gay?

[Guest Raiden Alpha]

wow, majority of gays behave like me? your accusations against the gay community is getting 'out of hand'.

1st- You accused us gays as majority being Immature

2nd- You accused us gays as 'a screeching banshee'

are you gay?

Go look in Grindr and jacked for answers to point no 1.

Point 2-I say you are acting like one I never say all, stop twisting words.

Am I gay? Well I don't put label and stereotype myself. I am right now because I like men in this very moment so yeah I am a gay and an enlighten one too.

I answer all your questions. Happy now?

[gstc82]

Go look in Grindr and jacked for answers to point no 1.

Point 2-I say you are acting like one I never say all, stop twisting words.

Am I gay? Well I don't put label and stereotype myself. I am right now because I like men in this very moment so yeah I am a gay and an enlighten one too.

I answer all your questions. Happy now?

Oh yes you accused gays as in point 2.

Lol, you are such a douche.