Singapore retains gay sex ban
Oct 24, 2007, 1:47 pm
#16
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Singapore is one of the highly westernized countries in Asia... However, it is also a highly conservative country... My only explanation is that it is cultural and very deep-rooted... And family is in the centre of the big picture rather than self... In my opinion, Singapore as a society is much more conservative than countries like China...
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…
In Rome, do as the Romans do... and in Singapore, do as the Singaporeans do...
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…
In Rome, do as the Romans do... and in Singapore, do as the Singaporeans do...
Oct 24, 2007, 4:50 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 483
Just like temperate deciduous forests surviving well here... Tropical rainforests are doing well over there... If the climate is not suitable for one, the only choice, in view of one's well-being, is to transplant...
Of course it is much colorful out west, there is no denying of that... While back home, it is green green green... Kinda boring... But if u want to add some colors to your life, fly!!! lol
Sorry, but you sound like you have read too many editions of The State's Times and other Singapore government propaganda. Singapore's propaganda is quite refined and many Singaporeans who are not reading serious newspapers have been brainwashed to believe that the Government has actually done a great job.
I could be brainwashed... I'm guessing Snuggle Softerner was added too...
If i were to write this from a small little well on the small island, then u have a strong case... But i'm not... And being away from home does make me appreciate more of the things we have established back home... (I could be one of the outliers)...
The system back home is far from being perfect... and in fact, there are certain things i dont like back home too... But it takes time to evolve... And hopefully for the better...
One of my favorite sayings from my favorite late nite host is that "Show biz is an orgy runs by good-looking people; and politics is one by ugly people"... And i bet u ten to one, people on here are the good looking ones... Hey, we are gay afterall...
So let's leave the politics to the, hmmm, not so good-looking ones... lol But let's put it this way... If they are willing to open up the door to welcome the G$$$ (money from gambling).... There is a chance that they might be opening another door to the other G$$$ (money from gays)... And we have big bucks to spare!!!
And if the govt is indeed all about money and ignore the voice of its people who might be against the idea... Then, there is a very realistic possiblity that that might be a reality in the near future!!!
Oct 24, 2007, 7:35 pm
#18
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From the BBC:
.... Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government did not consider gays to be a minority with minority rights.
.... Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the government did not consider gays to be a minority with minority rights.
Oct 25, 2007, 2:24 pm
#20
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Hehe. Indeed. Singapore is one of the gayest cities I have ever been. If only the gay Singaporeans would come out to family, friends, neighbours and work mates, and all these so-called conservative heartlanders would suddenly know a lot of homosexuals. But the vast majority prefer to stay in the closet.......
Oct 25, 2007, 11:15 pm
#22
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I have been to Singapore and found it spotless, and unfailingly pleasant, but banning gay sex is about as effective as banning rain. It does nothing to stop it from taking place. As long as there have been men there has been gay sex, and I don't think we have taken any civilizations down yet.
Oct 26, 2007, 9:55 am
#23
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 483
Just like temperate deciduous forests surviving well here... Tropical rainforests are doing well over there... If the climate is not suitable for one, the only choice, in view of one's well-being, is to transplant...
Of course it is much colorful out west, there is no denying of that... While back home, it is green green green... Kinda boring... But if u want to add some colors to your life, fly!!! lol
Of course it is much colorful out west, there is no denying of that... While back home, it is green green green... Kinda boring... But if u want to add some colors to your life, fly!!! lol
I guess it is a case of different strokes for different folks... Very much like the case of San Francisco vs Amish Country... U just can't have a Folsom Fair or a Twin Peak Bar in the Village of Intercourse...
Boil down to the basic, it is all about respect individual differences... It kinda reminds me of a printed tee worn by a friend's daughter... it reads "PRIDE = People Respect Individual Differences Everywhere"...
Having said that, I do like to see some changes... Well, more than some... But it is going to take time... And there are indications that some changes had been made... So apart from respect, it also takes some patience...
Hehe. Indeed. Singapore is one of the gayest cities I have ever been. If only the gay Singaporeans would come out to family, friends, neighbours and work mates, and all these so-called conservative heartlanders would suddenly know a lot of homosexuals. But the vast majority prefer to stay in the closet.......
I haven't heard of the term "heartlanders" for a long time... Which is a common thing in Singapore... There are buzzwords being thrown around for a while.. and then kinda forgotten... As a kid, i used to think that heartlanders are someone who stay at a place because his heart is there... As compared to a metropolitan who is there because his interests are there... But the discussion of heartlander vs metropolitan would be way too OT here...
Perhaps, it is true that the majority still prefer to stay in the closet... Come to think of it, that is better than staying in the water closet... Can't help but to think of our dear friend Larry from the potato state... Should we get Larry to participate in this forum and discussion???
Well, I would like to take this opportunity to announce this again...
I'm not gay and I'm not a cowboy... I just nearly broke my back mountin' my bf last nite... I've mentioned before, there is a movie made on that!!! Called brokeback mountin'... Just that the director mis-spelled it...
But within the confine of four walls, u will be just fine... Come to think of it, u could use that as a pickup line... Imagine going up to a cutie and say "I heard gay sex is illegal in Singapore"
Ok ok... I know i need to work harder on my pickup lines... I really suck...
Oct 26, 2007, 5:34 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: UK
Posts: 349
As was in the case of oral sex, no one is going to barge into your bedroom (or wherever) to check up on you, let alone enforce the law.
You should give Singaporeans more credit than that. There is no doubt that there is a certain bit of conditioning (I wouldn't go so far as calling that brainwashing!) but many are intelligent enough to read between the lines and form their own views.
What serious newspapers are you referring to? Surely not the UK ones that the majority of the population seem to read?! We must keep abreast of the latest exploits of Posh and Becks in L.A.; and for political news - David Cameron snogging his wife at the polls, Gordon Brown's terrible dress sense.
I personally think that the law should not exist. Don't know the government's motives but my guess is that the neighbours and religious groups need to be kept happy.
Sorry, but you sound like you have read too many editions of The State's Times and other Singapore government propaganda. Singapore's propaganda is quite refined and many Singaporeans who are not reading serious newspapers have been brainwashed to believe that the Government has actually done a great job.
What serious newspapers are you referring to? Surely not the UK ones that the majority of the population seem to read?! We must keep abreast of the latest exploits of Posh and Becks in L.A.; and for political news - David Cameron snogging his wife at the polls, Gordon Brown's terrible dress sense.
I personally think that the law should not exist. Don't know the government's motives but my guess is that the neighbours and religious groups need to be kept happy.
Oct 28, 2007, 3:58 pm
#25
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On this FT GLBT forum, love the yearly "OMG, how could you, as a gay person, even THINK about going to Singapore?!?"
When in Singapore, walking down Orchard Road, going to the Towel Club (Hotlju2, I didn't see you there!), going online to gay.com's S'pore chatrooms or on Fridae.com, eating at Maxwell Hawker Center, dancing at several all-night gay discos (BKK's close at 1AM), watching the Tranny prostys in Geylang, shopping for 30 seconds at Raffles Place, etc.....the ONLY law that doesn't seem to exist is the one banning gay sex!
By the time you've been to all those places, you've likely already been picked up 10x and had the chance for even more.
Or, am I just THAT easy?
No, the law isn't good. But it doesn't mean the entire place should be thrown away. I still go to US states that ban gay sex or did until they were FORCED to allow it.... I'm guessing that several Latin countries have the same laws on the books, but that doesn't stop me from going there.
It's NOT as if they've arrested anyone for this in Singapore in recent memory, is it? Correct me if I'm wrong--I'm sure someone will!
When in Singapore, walking down Orchard Road, going to the Towel Club (Hotlju2, I didn't see you there!), going online to gay.com's S'pore chatrooms or on Fridae.com, eating at Maxwell Hawker Center, dancing at several all-night gay discos (BKK's close at 1AM), watching the Tranny prostys in Geylang, shopping for 30 seconds at Raffles Place, etc.....the ONLY law that doesn't seem to exist is the one banning gay sex!
By the time you've been to all those places, you've likely already been picked up 10x and had the chance for even more.
Or, am I just THAT easy? No, the law isn't good. But it doesn't mean the entire place should be thrown away. I still go to US states that ban gay sex or did until they were FORCED to allow it.... I'm guessing that several Latin countries have the same laws on the books, but that doesn't stop me from going there.
It's NOT as if they've arrested anyone for this in Singapore in recent memory, is it? Correct me if I'm wrong--I'm sure someone will!
Oct 28, 2007, 4:29 pm
#26
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With the introduction of the Singapore Airlines Suites on the new A380, is there any gay couple here who is willing to "risk it" and book a flight to experience the new "double" beds?
I wonder what would happen if SQ used the A380 on say the SIN-HKG-SFO route and gay sex (behind closed doors in privacy) occured on the HKG-SFO portion of the flight. As gay sex is legal in both HKG and SFO, and illegal in SIN, how are they going to enforce the gay sex laws if one of the Singapore girls caught a gay couple doing it in seats 2D/2G?
I wonder what would happen if SQ used the A380 on say the SIN-HKG-SFO route and gay sex (behind closed doors in privacy) occured on the HKG-SFO portion of the flight. As gay sex is legal in both HKG and SFO, and illegal in SIN, how are they going to enforce the gay sex laws if one of the Singapore girls caught a gay couple doing it in seats 2D/2G?
Oct 28, 2007, 9:49 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2007
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With the introduction of the Singapore Airlines Suites on the new A380, is there any gay couple here who is willing to "risk it" and book a flight to experience the new "double" beds?
I wonder what would happen if SQ used the A380 on say the SIN-HKG-SFO route and gay sex (behind closed doors in privacy) occured on the HKG-SFO portion of the flight. As gay sex is legal in both HKG and SFO, and illegal in SIN, how are they going to enforce the gay sex laws if one of the Singapore girls caught a gay couple doing it in seats 2D/2G?
I wonder what would happen if SQ used the A380 on say the SIN-HKG-SFO route and gay sex (behind closed doors in privacy) occured on the HKG-SFO portion of the flight. As gay sex is legal in both HKG and SFO, and illegal in SIN, how are they going to enforce the gay sex laws if one of the Singapore girls caught a gay couple doing it in seats 2D/2G?
Sounds like they'll be eager to have fun, playful and hip people on board making the most of the doubles.
Oct 29, 2007, 7:27 am
#28
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I wonder what would happen if SQ used the A380 on say the SIN-HKG-SFO route and gay sex (behind closed doors in privacy) occured on the HKG-SFO portion of the flight. As gay sex is legal in both HKG and SFO, and illegal in SIN, how are they going to enforce the gay sex laws if one of the Singapore girls caught a gay couple doing it in seats 2D/2G?
Oct 29, 2007, 9:13 am
#29
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That's my point. When flying SQ between HKG-SFO and the incident occured between HKG-SFO, are they really going to detain the pax until the aircraft returns to SIN and face SIN laws? Even if they get arrested in SFO, will the U.S. authorities agree send the pax back to SIN (especially if they are U.S. citizens)?