On Sexual Orientation

An online comment from ST Forum.

Dear MOE,

The AWARE’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education (Trainer’s guide 2007) had been circulating in the internet, and based on its content, it does suggest a Pro Gay agenda which I will elaborate in detail in my following passage.

I do recall the main reason why the Penal Code Section 377A was not repeal based on the reasons I quote from MHA Official statement.
“Singaporeans are still a largely conservative society. The majority find homosexual behaviour offensive and unacceptable. Neither side is going to persuade or convince the other of their position. We should live and let live, and let the situation evolve, in tandem with the values of our society. This approach is a pragmatic one that maintains Singapore’s social cohesion…”

Therefore I find the Aware’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education “Pro Gay” approach in contrary with the Penal Code Section 377A as well as our largely conservative Singapore Society.

Why I view the Comprehensive Sexuality Education Pro Gay?
In page 14, item 2, the Guide states that our law does not recognize homosexuality and deems homosexual sexual activities as unnatural, however, it state quite clearly that homosexuality is perfectly normal. It did not mention like in the case of rape, statutory rape and carnal connection that homosexual acts could still be charge under S377A.

MHA official stand: “Police has not been pro-actively enforcing the provision and will continue to take this stance. But this does not mean that the section is purely symbolic and thus redundant. There have been convictions over the years involving cases where minors were exploited and abused or where male adults committed the offence in a public place such as a public toilet or back-lane.

Whilst homosexuals have a place in society and, in recent years, more social space, repealing section 377A will be very contentious and may send a wrong signal that Government is encouraging and endorsing the homosexual lifestyle as part of our mainstream way of life.”

The Guide had also not shown why the homosexual lifestyle should not be encourage and endorse as part of our mainstream way of life or why the Government had made such a stand?

Based on the Government statistic on HIV new cases, the homosexual lifestyle is the highest risks lifestyle, see the facts for yourself:
In 2006, HOMOSEXUAL population size of LESS THAN 3% OF OUR TOTAL POPULATION HAD CONTRIBUTED TO 26.3% of the new HIV cases of our national figure! (Homosexual is 19 times most likely to cause new HIV case than general male who is not homosexual in 2006)

In 2007, HOMOSEXUAL population size of LESS THAN 3% OF OUR TOTAL POPULATION HAD CONTRIBUTED TO 30.8% of the new HIV cases of our national figure! (Homosexual is 22 times most likely to cause new HIV case than general male who is not homosexual in 2007.)

In the first six month of 2008, HOMOSEXUAL population size of LESS THAN 3% OF OUR TOTAL POPULATION HAD CONTRIBUTED TO 32% of the new HIV cases of our national figure!
Therefore Homosexual lifestyle is a high risk lifestyle and should not be encourage and endorse as part of our mainstream way of life!

In page 17, item 2 of the guide state that, “We do not know the causes of homosexuality or heterosexuality for that matter...” and further to emphasis that “Some scientific studies show people are born like this” period, without stating that there are also a number of scientific studies that show homosexual are not “inborn” as they claim to be and also some scientific studies had cast serious doubt on the earlier studies on homosexual been inborn!

One widely known study is the claim of ‘Gay gene” widely claimed by the gays based on Simons LeVay’s paper.

Extract on LeVay comment: He later added, "It's important to stress what I didn't find. I did not prove that homosexuality is genetic, or find a genetic cause for being gay. I didn't show that gay men are born that way, the most common mistake people make in interpreting my work. Nor did I locate a gay center in the brain. ... Since I look at adult brains, we don't know if the differences I found were there at birth or if they appeared later”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biology...al_orientation

The Guide in Page 17, item 2 also state that “Since lesbian, gay and bisexual people are not ill or abnormal, they don’t need to “cured”?
May I ask Aware, based on what scientific concurrence among all the world’s scientific bodies do you arrive at this conclusion?
I do have scientific studies that prove that there are treatments that may be very sussessful and permanent if one’s is willing to take up, I have personnal witness two close homosexual friends change to lead a perfectly normal happy straight life with childrens of their own and having a wife.

For scientific studies on therapy, see below link;
http://www.mygenes.co.nz/Ch12.pdf

Extract:
Dr Robert Spitzer, a prime mover in the 1973 decision to remove Same-Sex-Attraction (SSA) from the Diagnostic Manuals as a mental illness which are often quote by gays that they are not abnormal or ill, had in fact change his mind after 30 years
After nearly 30 years later he interviewed 200 people who claimed they had change, and he concluded that real and extensive change had occurred in many cases. His studies publish in 2003.
A contrary study done by Karten in his doctoral project to show harm to some people particularly showing up in poorer self-image and suicidal thoughts, but including accounts of people who claimed they had been helped and had changed. His results were very similar to Spitzer’s studies in 2003.

Reference material/sites:
Aware’s Comprehensive Sexuality Education Trainer’s Guide (There are many other sites): http://inspirationfortoday.files.wor...ware-20073.pdf and
http://voicethread.com/#q.b468061.i0.k0
http://www.aware.org.sg/?p=1319&cat=

MHA Official statement regarding rejection to repeal S377A:
http://www.spf.gov.sg/faqs/police_pph.htm

Posted by: cutthecrap at Thu Apr 30 13:37:56 SGT 2009

[To quote Shakespeare: methinks he doth protest too much.

Three European Knights during the crusades were gathered around a campfire and talking about their motivation. The British Knight proclaimed, "We British Knights fight for Duty and Honour!" The French Knight scoffed, and said, "We French, we fight for Love."

Then the two of them looked to the third, the Swiss Knight, and asked, "I hear the Swiss fight for money.

The Swiss Knight said, "Perhaps we each fight for that we most lack."

I cannot understand why a heterosexual would spend so much time and effort compiling information to explain why homosexuality is wrong and heterosexuality is right.

We fight our personal demons. We fight for what we feel we lack most. If we are secure about our identity, we do not need to demarcate it so obviously. It is when we are not secure that we feel the need to fight harder to protect what we are losing.

I know that for me, I like women. If there are men out there who like other men, that means less competition for me. Perfectly fine for me.]

Man killed by falling branch

MR TEO JUN WEN: 'I refer to Sunday's article, 'Man killed by falling branch'. The authorities should take action to prevent these kind of accidents. Trees that are old and have long branches or huge trunks should be uprooted. People's lives are more important. The branch that fell on Mr Noordin Osman was 20m long and the accident took place at the prestigious Pyramid Club in Goodwood Hill. The company employing the workers should also emphasise to them how important it is to wear a helmet as it can save one's life. The victim's co-worker said it was not windy when the accident took place, which proves the branch was too long and heavy to support its own weight. People should pay more attention to their surroundings and the authorities should act as quickly as possible.'


Let us consider the possibility of having the authority, NEA to check on trees with over-hanging branches that are potentially dangerous. I do not see any harm in trimming them. I am sure the operation of the mentioned authority are segmented into zones. Do they check on the trees and identify possible dangers that the trees might pose? We may have a government which is free from corruption but in some ways, they are rather reactive than proactive. It was evident from the food poisoning case. But how it has dealt with the economy crsis, it still has some credit in proactiveness. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: xppsti42 at Tue Apr 28 10:27:13 SGT 2009

[I wanted to counter these two comments, but one can't argue with myopic idiocy. If Mr Teo has his way, no trees above the height of a man will be allowed in Singapore. And the online comment will only accept a 100% accident-free Singapore. ]

Put public health before hawkers' livelihood

April 28, 2009

IN LAST Thursday's article, 'Grading system for hawker hygiene 'sound'', it was reported that a suggestion to take away the licences of stallholders rated 'C' or 'D' was turned down, as these people depend on hawking as their livelihood.

Should hawkers' livelihood matter more than customers' safety? What about protecting the lives and health of consumers? If hawkers value their livelihood, they will shape up - at least given time.

Therefore, it is prudent to set high standards and have a system to meet and exceed standards.

Providing the right infrastructure and environment is no less important than hawkers' performance. The performance of the Environment and Water Resources Ministry, which oversees hawker hygiene standards, should be exemplary and not fall below 'A' grade.

This includes cleaning frequency,

provision of suitable bins, pest control, sanitation and hand-washing facilities (disinfectant sprays should be placed at the entrance of hawker centres), as well as ongoing education of hawkers and patrons.

Better still, the ministry should encourage competition among hawker centres, as is the case with schools that improve themselves by vying against one another in studies and co-curricular excellence.

Jack Chew


Dear Jack,

Simple solution. Eat only at A & B graded hawkers. No one can force you to eat at C & D. Those who find Singapore too bland and safe can dice with death and dine at C & D establishments. It is our only daily excitement. That and watching the AWARE soap opera.

You can also eat at Hospitals food court as MOH has impose the policy on their foodstall operators.

Alternatively, you can try to arrange a coup and set up your own govt, take over as Minister for Env (& water resources), and impose the new standard across Singapore; bring back focus to the NEA, and move the NEA away from being a single issue agency (worrying about hawker's livelihood!) and focus on the true objective of the NEA which is protecting the lazy busy customers who have no time to cook and must eat out.

Chill dude.

Ballot is fairer to all

April 21, 2009
DESIGN, BUILD AND SELL SCHEME

I REFER to last Friday's article, 'Simei condo-style flats: No balloting'.

I believe this news came as a surprise to many people. Of all the Design, Build and Sell Scheme (DBSS) projects launched in the past few months, I believe this is the only one available for booking without the need for a ballot. While those who manage to get in the queue to book a flat will be happy, those who cannot be present will be disappointed.

The HDB's DBSS website states: 'Under the DBSS, private developers will be responsible for the entire flow of the public housing development process - from bidding for the land, designing the project, overseeing construction and eventually, selling the flats directly to eligible flat buyers.'

Apparently, private developers are responsible to sell flats directly to buyers, but who determines the mode of selling? Who determines if there is a need for balloting? Who determines if sales should be on a first-come, first-served basis?

[You so smart can quote the website. But so stupid cannot understand. Already stated: developer will be responsible for selling flat direct. That means developer can decide how to sell.]

The HDB uses the ballot system as demand for flats in Singapore generally outstrips supply, and the ballot system is regarded as a 'fair' means in such situations. Flat buyers also do not need to queue overnight. Balloting also gives potential buyers enough time to consider before making a decision.

[Yes, but this is not a subsidised flat. This is a premium flat sold at market rates or even above market rates. So market rules can apply and there is nothing fair or unfair about it. If the PC show has a special offer with limited stocks that was sold out by the second day, would you say that it is unfair to those who went on the 3rd day?]

Ultimately, is there consistency in the selling of DBSS flats?

[A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.]

Zhou Zhiqiang

Are classrooms bright enough?

I REFER to Monday's article, 'Poor eyesight affecting students' schoolwork'. I am shocked to learn that more than a quarter of students in Northlight School cannot see clearly. While the article provided several reasons for the high incidence of myopia in that school, I suggest the level of illumination in classrooms nationwide be given a thorough study.

Many schools use PowerPoint as a teaching aid. In order to project a sufficiently clear image, the lights in the classroom are usually dimmed. In some cases, all the lights in the classroom are turned off. If students have to take notes, they would be writing in the dark. Needless to say, reading and writing in a dimly lit environment are bad for the eyes.

Projectors used in schools should have sufficient lumen so not too many lights in the classroom need to be turned off when they are in use.

Peck Thian Guan

[Probably a projector salesman. More to the point. Dim lighting may make one eyes tired, but it won't spoil one's eyesight. You wanna go blind, which method will work - sit in the dark for 24 hrs or stare at the sun for 24 minutes?]

School priority scheme penalises grandparents for helping out

April 7, 2009

I READ with disappointment the Ministry of Education's (MOE) policy on Primary 1 registration which seems to penalise - wrongfully - grandparents for helping out in caring for their grandchildren.

Under the current scheme, children living with their grandparents and within 1km of a school are allowed to ballot for a place only under the 1km to 2km category. This seems to contradict the Government's effort to promote this arrangement in the first place.

In 2004, then-Minister of State Chan Soo Sen advocated this set-up, encouraging the elderly to reprise their roles as grandparents after noting that there was a need to step up efforts in promoting intergenerational bonding lest the gap between generations widens.

The very purpose of introducing the Home-School Distance Prioritisation Scheme was to enhance the caregivers' convenience. If that was the intent, why are we punishing them by intentionally reducing the opportunity to enrol their wards in schools that are near their homes?

Should a child be unable to secure a place at nearby schools, grandparents are left with little choice, but to enrol their wards in schools located much farther away.

Use the school bus, one might suggest. But school buses cater only to regular school hours and are not able to accommodate pupils who participate in co-curricular activities.

With the number of families with both parents working set to grow here, especially since mothers are encouraged to return to the workforce, more will turn to grandparents to help out in caring for the children in their absence. A review by the MOE is in order.

Pang Tee Meng

Latest comments
Parents who live with their children got higher priority because they got to get their kids to school before going to work.

In comparison, grandparents who look after the grandchildren usually take up the job because they do not have another full time job.

In addition, this is also a guard against abuse for parents who actually live with their children but opt to use the grandparents' address for applying schools.

It does not guarantee to work out fairly for everyone, but it got some rational behind it.
Posted by: coolbeagle at Tue Apr 07 15:28:39 SGT 2009

[A good rational comment not usually seen on ST online forum comments page. I thought I should save it to remind myself that not everyone who comments on the online forum are cynical twats. Bravo coolbeagle!]