Not approving of gay lifestyle isn't stigmatisation

MR BRYAN Kwa Jie Wen's letter ("Stop stigmatising sexual minorities"; Forum Online, Monday) sends the wrong message to the public: That supporting gay rights improves public health and that society is the cause of suicide in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Of the 428 new HIV cases acquired via sexual transmission in 2013, heterosexual transmission accounted for 40 per cent of infections, while homosexual and bisexual transmission accounted for 54 per cent of the cases.

Those engaging in high-risk sexual behaviour can go for anonymous HIV testing. In Singapore, no one is denied medical services based on their lifestyle.

Are LGBT activists looking for tolerance or normalisation and, thus, celebration of the homosexual lifestyle?

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in 2007 ("Why we should leave Section 377A alone: PM"; Oct 24, 2007): "Homosexuals work in all sectors... they are free to lead their lives, free to pursue their social activities. But there are restraints and we do not approve of them actively promoting their lifestyle to others, or setting the tone for mainstream society."

Pink Dot has its annual gathering at Hong Lim Park every year. There are student groups "supporting" LGBT youth in our tertiary institutions.

What, then, causes the LGBT community to still feel stigmatised and marginalised?

By not agreeing and supporting their chosen lifestyle, am I considered to be stigmatising, marginalising, discriminating against them or worse, "literally driving them to their death" as Mr Kwa put it?

There are underlying causes as to why anyone chooses a particular lifestyle. Personality, family background and life circumstances contribute to every decision made by an individual.

To attribute the cause of suicide to mainstream society shows irresponsibility and disrespect of life by an individual.

Singapore is a "communitarian" society. The state should shape policies by promoting and upholding things that are good for society.

Unless our society is prepared to accept all deviant lifestyles regardless of the consequences, any meaningful understanding of diversity can only be made via a conception of the common good.