Don’t equate difference in opinions with discrimination

With regard to the recent debate over the call to remove an ad by Pink Dot organisers at a mall, a difference in opinion should not be equated with the discrimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Disapproval of a behaviour is not rejection of a person.

That the Pink Dot event is allowed to be held shows that discrimination does not exist. We have been most tolerant of it even if we do not agree on this matter. This annual event is increasingly dividing and polarising our society, and if organisers continue to push their agenda aggressively, the stronger the push back will be from conservative forces in our society.

It is disturbing that some people have alleged on social media that the decision made by the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (Asas) was religiously motivated.

Asas’ chairman, Professor Tan Sze Wee, has since clarified that decisions are made through voting. Does such an allegation mean that our government ministers with religious affiliations cannot carry out their portfolios objectively? Let us be mindful that the majority of Singaporeans follow a religion.

Original letter

During the 2007 Parliamentary debate on the repeal of S377A, PM Lee Hsien Loong said, "Singapore is basically a conservative society. The family is the building block of our society. It has been so and, by policy, we have reinforced this and we want to keep it so. And by "family" in Singapore, we mean one man one woman, marrying, having children and bringing up children within that framework of a stable family unit." 

The government recognizes the pre-political institution of marriage not because it is interested in the romantic relationships of adults but to support the right of every child to be raised by a father and a mother wherever possible. Not every couple has children but every child has a father and a mother. ("Reasons behind request to amend Pink Dot banner unfounded"; 15 June)

A 2014 Institute of Policy Studies survey found that 73 per cent of Singaporeans did not approve of same-sex marriage. Even 64 per cent of atheists disapprove of sexual relations between two adults of the same sex. 

It is disturbing that some people alleged on social media that the decision made by the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) was religiously motivated. ASAS' Chairman, Professor Tan Sze Wee, has since clarified that decisions are made through voting.  Does that mean that our ministers with religious affiliations cannot carry out their portfolios objectively? Let us be mindful that 81.5% of Singaporeans have a religion.  

A difference in opinions should not be equated with discrimination. Our identity is first and foremost a person with intrinsic value. We do not go around defining ourselves by our sexual orientation. Our intimacy with others is not a measurement of our self-worth. Disapproval of a behaviour is not rejection of a person.

The fact that Pink Dot exists shows that discrimination does not exist. We have been most tolerant of what we do not agree on. Pink Dot is increasingly dividing and polarising our society and if it continues to push its agenda aggressively, the stronger will be the push back from conservative forces from our society. 

http://www.todayonline.com/voices/dont-equate-difference-opinions-discrimination