Article: Minister says gay sex should be legal
SINGAPORE'S powerful former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, has questioned the country's ban on sex between men.
He acknowledged the possibility of a genetic link to homosexuality.
"If in fact it is true, and I have asked doctors this, that you are genetically born a homosexual - because that's the nature of the genetic random transmission of genes you can't help it. So why should we criminalise it?" the Straits Times quoted Mr Lee as saying.
Under Singapore law, a man who is found to have committed an act of "gross indecency" with another man can be jailed for up to two years, though prosecutions are rare.
But Mr Lee - who is also a minister in the cabinet led by his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong - said Singapore should not actively pursue homosexuals who engage in sex.
"Let's not go around like this moral police... barging into people's rooms. That's not our business," he said.
Authorities in Singapore have routinely banned gay festivals and censored gay films, saying homosexuality should not be advocated as a lifestyle. But, despite the official ban on gay sex, Singapore has a thriving gay scene.I am particularly fond of his fascination with the "possible genetic link to homosexuality", though it has been very carefully phrased as "If in fact true ...". What would this mean for homosexuals in Singapore? Would the information gatekeepers finally allow true information to flow freely and open the gates of possible future acceptance. For many Singaporeans, if Lee Kuan Yew says it's true, then there must be an element of truth. At least this might instigate a new water cooler topic rather than the mundane TV talk.
Is this political talk or a genuine plea for a change in mind and attitude. Is there real gay hope? Will Singaporeans care?
3 comments:
This site is interesting too:
http://www.yawningbread.org/arch_2005/yax-420.htm
Hi Jason,
Thank you for pointing this site out.
I have been reiterating this breaking news to my foreign friends and most are shocked to hear that homosexual sex is illegal. When they asked me what the charges are and how can they arrest two men having sex, I said that they used good looking undercover cops to trap gays into committing a public offence. They were horrified.
This link proves what I had said is true. It is disgusting because intimacy between two consensual people is private and to use a trick like entrapment is immoral.
We have come a long way and though this is a sign of the smallest of breakthroughs, there is a still a long road ahead.
Another sad case to share on entrapment used in Sg:
http://www.yawningbread.org/apdx_2006/imp-270.htm
I remembered the poor parents were even planning to sell away their flats to raise funds to pay off the penalty incurred. He has to pay back the govt $$$ for breaking his bonds (which in the first place was not his choice, but was forced to discontinue his studies).
Fortunately, he is allowed to continue with his medical profession:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/262847/1/.html
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