Singapore retains gay sex ban
Oct 23, 2007, 11:33 pm
#1
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Singapore retains gay sex ban
From the BBC:
Singapore's parliament has voted against a proposal to decriminalise sex between men, despite receiving a petition signed by thousands of people. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government did not consider gays to be a minority with minority rights. In a rare speech to parliament, he said Singapore was a conservative society, and he wanted to keep it so.
While many countries in Asia are moving in the right direction, Singapore decided to take a few steps back. A sad day for gays in that country.
Singapore's parliament has voted against a proposal to decriminalise sex between men, despite receiving a petition signed by thousands of people. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government did not consider gays to be a minority with minority rights. In a rare speech to parliament, he said Singapore was a conservative society, and he wanted to keep it so.
While many countries in Asia are moving in the right direction, Singapore decided to take a few steps back. A sad day for gays in that country.
Oct 23, 2007, 11:41 pm
#2
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Wonder if they have been to Steam Works?
IMHO banning and really banning are two different things. Beside if they would really ban something I don't believe that there would be much of a difference i.e. Arab countries.
IMHO banning and really banning are two different things. Beside if they would really ban something I don't believe that there would be much of a difference i.e. Arab countries.
Oct 24, 2007, 5:09 am
#3
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Along with no press freedom and extreme penalties for drug offenses, the criminalization of gay sex is a great black mark on a country I otherwise generally respect and admire. For all its glittering success, Singapore is really just a corporatist-fascist one-party (practically one-family) nanny state.
I'll take some liberty with my economic growth, thanks.
Oct 24, 2007, 8:35 am
#5
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And they've just legalised it. Personally I choose not to support countries where I am so strongly discriminated against in law. While it might be the case that a blind eye is turned to activities that are technically illegal, the legal position that remains gives governments and police carte blanche to steam into gay bars, clubs, saunas whenever they want to curry some favour with religious groups.
Oct 24, 2007, 9:16 am
#6
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My NY friend and I have been comparing notes… And we kinda agree that Singapore as she is now, is pretty much in the same shoes as NYC in the early 50s or 60s… A lot of gay things are being done in a hush-hush manner… It is a case of do-it-and-don’t-get-caught… I pretty much doubt there would be an event like Stonewall that would liberate the small island state in the same way the empire state had in terms of gay acceptance… But from what has happened in the recent years, the island is making some progress in that direction… Be it in a slow, highly metered manner…
Is it sad??? Maybe so for those who have enjoyed the freedom and kinda take it for granted … But it is something we have to go through very much like how “GLBTization” is attained elsewhere… Now, my biggest worry is that other nations start sending battalions of “rainbow warriors” in attempt to liberate their fellow “rainbow people” from the “oppression”… I’m not an expert in sociology… But I believe it is very delicate and highly-interlinked, just like the game of JANGA… A small manipulation of the building blocks might disturb the whole structure and u can’t really predict the outcome…
And they've just legalised it. Personally I choose not to support countries where I am so strongly discriminated against in law. While it might be the case that a blind eye is turned to activities that are technically illegal, the legal position that remains gives governments and police carte blanche to steam into gay bars, clubs, saunas whenever they want to curry some favour with religious groups.
In Rome, do as the Romans do... and in Singapore, do as the Singaporeans do...
Every individuals are different simply because that's what makes them an individual... And i guess the same thing applies to countries too...
Oct 24, 2007, 10:15 am
#10
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Oct 24, 2007, 10:21 am
#11
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Just asking, would these laws stand up to a constitutional challenge? There are lots of archaic state and local laws in the U.S. that wouldn't withstand a constitutional challenge but remain on the books for one reason or another. No such privilege (let alone rights) in Singapore.
Oct 24, 2007, 10:37 am
#12
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Which is fine if you're a tourist and you can decide where to go and where to spend your money. It's a bit tough if you're a young person growing up there.
Oct 24, 2007, 11:50 am
#13
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Oct 24, 2007, 1:12 pm
#14
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Wonder if they have been to Steam Works?
Am I missing out on an inside joke or is there a Steam Works in Singapore too? I thought they were only in CA, PR, Toronto, and Chicago??
I am not a regular patron, I just, um, kinda know this...
Am I missing out on an inside joke or is there a Steam Works in Singapore too? I thought they were only in CA, PR, Toronto, and Chicago??
I am not a regular patron, I just, um, kinda know this...
Oct 24, 2007, 1:23 pm
#15
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It is actually Towel Club that seems to email me reminders to visit them every week or so.
Just Google Towel Club and you will find their website.
Last edited by holtju2; Oct 24, 2007 at 5:05 pm