Tuesday, October 23, 2007 @ Tuesday, October 23, 2007
If you guys have read the newspaper..u will understand the information tat i had paste down here...
Universality of non-discrimination argument50.
Sir, that was the petition. I will now speak on why I support the repeal of 377A, quite apart from its unconstitutionality.
51. Contrary to how many have sought to frame the issue, the repeal of 377A is not a gay issue.
It is not about gay rights. It is not just for gays, or friends or relatives of gays.
52. No. It is about fairness, justice and non-discrimination.
It is about tolerance, understanding and inclusiveness.
It is about upholding the fundamental protections afforded by the Constitution, the basic pillars underpinning our country. These are issues for all Singaporeans.
53. The response to the petition bore this out.
The signatories were a broad and diverse group, showing that the issues cut across all lines and resonate universally with people.
Straight and gay, male and female, young, middle-aged and old, civil servants, professionals and students, religious and non-religious – they all signed the petition. They all understood the guiding light of treating others as you want them to treat you. They were united by the common belief that 377A is unfair, unjust and wrong, and hence should be repealed.
54. And such lengths they went to, to convey the strength of their belief.
So many, including straight men, went out to collect signatures on their own accord. They did this voluntarily, without being asked. An 18-year-old student collected 70 signatures. Two others collected 150 each.
55. Madam Tan, a 63-year-old mother of two heterosexual sons, collected signatures from her peers. She took it upon herself to do this. She believed that she needed to do it,
“for a healthy attitude towards life”. She collected five signatures.
56. Apart from the petition, there was also an online open letter to the Prime Minister calling for a repeal of 377A. This open letter, which collected 8120 signatures, was handed to the Prime Minister’s Office earlier today. A Mr Goh signed it, and he articulated the universality of the issue:
“I must admit that I am somewhat “homophopic”, [sic] but I believe that nobody should be discriminated against [for] his belief, or in this case sexual inclination. If they make me uncomfortable, I just don't mix in their social circle.”
57. I do not know anything about Mr Goh, but I am humbled by his principled stand against discrimination. It is the right and noble path, standing fast to our principles even in the face of personal dislikes.
Surely we can all learn from him?
--xoxo,
Imaginarist
Imaginarist
