True compassion is found in not repealing S377A

This letter was sent to Voices@TODAY but was not published.

It is neither the majority nor the minority who is always right. In any policymaking, it boils down to logical arguments that point to deriving the greatest good for our nation while incurring minimum cost or inconvenience to those affected ("377A: Remember the golden rule in policymaking"; March 21).    

I would be one of the many to vote for this law to stand, no matter how the society changes ("Govt has no plans to repeal section 377a for now"; March 2).

I have friends who have same-sex attraction and they are just as dear to me. In fact, my concern for them is greater because of the sobering facts that surround the health of people who engage in high-risk sexual behaviour. 

How can I support and encourage a friend to continue in his destructive behaviour when in 2016, 61 per cent of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections were from homosexual and bisexual transmission? Out of a staggering number of 7,140 citizens who are HIV-infected as of end 2015, 1,816 lives were lost because of their chosen way of life. Sodomy laws have some deterrent effect because with more acceptance, any form of consensual sexual behaviour increases. As it is, the whole community has to foot the costs of these diseases.

It is not misconceptions, prejudices or fears that stop me from empathizing with people who struggle with brokenness ("Repeal of 377A won't automatically change people's minds"; March 21). The moment we see a loved one goes down the path of destruction,  true compassion is shown when we warn him.

I cannot deny that there are people who are mean, just like how people say nasty things to me, a person born with a disability. I cannot stop anyone from being offensive. Our dignity and value do not fluctuate with the laws or any societal change. What is critical is to recognize how every behaviour has consequences. 

We should empathize with those who struggle with identity issues. We all do. We celebrate the worth of every individual but we cannot celebrate every behaviour, especially one that causes harm to the individual and the community. There are no ex-Chinese but there are ex-gays. This is a fact which is worth looking forward to.