Discrimination is against behaviour, not the person

This letter was sent to Voices but was not published.

It is misleading of Ms Jolene Tan to assume that the accused in the extortion of an older male teacher was 'enabled by the atmosphere of secrecy that our society has imposed on LGBT people'. (Legal, societal discrimination leaves LGBT people vulnerable to abuse; Jan 19). Is the society to blame for any abuse or criminal act done by people in homosexual relationship?

Any married person fears exposure of adultery as it rightly threatens the person's reputation and job security. (Man pleads guilty to extorting $197k, gifts from male teacher he had tryst with"; 12 Jan) All MOE educators are to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the integrity of the profession and the trust placed in them by students, parents and the community. This is a case of adultery that casts doubts on the teacher's character. Can a teacher who cheats on his wife be entrusted to teach and model the values of honesty and responsibility to the next generation? This is one of the critical issues that needs to be resolved by MOE.

The words 'stigmatization', 'discrimination' are malleable terms used by gay activists to incite strong emotions that are not based on truths. It is now very common to see same-sex couples behaving affectionately in public. Just as it is for heterosexual couples, indecent public acts are prohibited by law. As Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in 2007 (Why we should leave Section 377A alone: PM; The Straits Times, October 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." The Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) also ensures that employment is fair and based on merit. 

The accused and the victim met through an online web portal TREVVY, which was set up in March 1999 to connect the gay community in Singapore. There are gay clubs and bars here, not to mention Pink Dot's annual gathering at Hong Lim Park. There are student groups openly supporting LGBT youth in our tertiary institutions. Where is the 'atmosphere of secrecy that our society has imposed on LGBT people'? 

Same-sex relationships are routinely censored in media representation for good reasons. The government ministries recognize that the family must remain the basic building block of Singapore society and more support will be given "to create a conducive environment for Singaporeans to start families and raise children, enjoy family life and experience meaningful family ties." (Expect more marriage, parenting support in 'pro-family' Singapore, Channel News Asia, Jan 20) As President Tony Tan Keng Yam rightly said, "Children are our hope and future". The government is interested in the continuity of life, in the common good of the society, not in our romantic lives.   

Every person has intrinsic value. A sexual orientation that goes against nature is a presenting problem. It is caused by many underlying factors that deserved to be look into, to help the individual understand that his sexual orientation is not his identity. I am one of the many who will never be ready to accept any relationship that is against nature. It is the behaviour or lifestyle of the person that we discriminate, not the person. The progressiveness of a society relies on clinging on to timeless moral values like fidelity in marriage, true compassion, responsibility and telling the truth in love to those who are broken.