Rilek1Corner

Tag: LGBT

  • Walid Jumblatt Abdullah: Don’t Let Secular Fundamentalism Be The Norm

    Walid Jumblatt Abdullah: Don’t Let Secular Fundamentalism Be The Norm

    I refer to the letter “Efforts of Pink Dot ambassadors should be lauded, not condemned” (May 13). I take issue with the statement that “it is important to not let religious-driven emotions cloud our judgment when it comes to contentious issues such as this”.

    It is problematic for two reasons: It assumes all religious beliefs are based on “emotions” and are therefore irrational; and it promotes the idea that in our version of secularism, ideas based on religious or moral convictions should not enter the public discussion.

    Each one of us has a code of values that defines what is moral or not, and which can be based on religious or non-religious ideas. Neither is inherently more rational or emotional than the other; both sets of values must be open to scrutiny and critiques once they enter the public domain.

    Every citizen has a right to air his/her views as long as they do not violate any law. Religious-based views, as our Prime Minister has said, can be aired in the public domain and can contribute towards public discourse.

    To dismiss one set of values before it is properly discussed, and to disallow religious-based opinions from entering the public realm of ideas, sounds to me like secular fundamentalism, which is not the version of secularism Singapore practises.

    However, I agree with the letter writer that there is no room or need for attacks on the Pink Dot ambassadors’ personal character. One must discuss the issue itself and not attempt character assassinations of those championing a particular cause.

    At the same time, just as the ambassadors have a right to propagate their beliefs, others must be given the same right to critique their actions. Doing so based on reasoned arguments should not be equated with personal attacks, and is to be expected when entering the public domain.

    It must be noted that religion is dear to many people, as much as freedom and notions of liberalism are to others. Expecting religious people not to base their judgments on their beliefs is, unfortunately, fallacious.

    Discussions on notions of morality and what is acceptable will be here to stay and will probably intensify in the coming years.

    I hope all sides will remain civil in this discussion and that none will be discriminated against for whatever beliefs are held. All sides must also make it clear that attacks on one’s character should be avoided under any circumstances.

     

    Source: www.todayonline.com

  • Mohd Khair: Disrespectful Of Pink Dot To Feature Muslims As Ambassadors

    Mohd Khair: Disrespectful Of Pink Dot To Feature Muslims As Ambassadors

    As a Singaporean, I have friends, neighbours, colleagues, associates, clients and vendors who come from all walks of life, regardless of race, language or religion. And that’s typical of any Singaporean.

    We respect each other’s religious beliefs, social customs and ethnic practices.

    Non-Hindus know that the cow is a sacred being among our fellow Hindu Singaporeans. We respect that belief. We don’t poke fun on it. We don’t provoke by asking our Hindu friends to promote any activities that demean the sacred cow or that promote the consumption of cow. That’s NOT what we do as Singaporeans. We respect each other. We don’t make fun nor offend nor provoke each other’s cultural, ethnic or religious sentiments. Even if there are Hindus who consume beef, hypothetically speaking, we Singaporeans take that as an exception rather than the rule. If such Hindus were to do it, again hypothetically speaking, they could do it within their private spheres and we Singaporeans don’t generalise that Hindus now consume beef. That’s blasphemous.

    Likewise, non-Muslims know that our fellow Muslim Singaporeans do not consume pork. We respect that belief. We don’t poke fun on it. We don’t provoke by asking our Muslim friends to promote any activities that glorify pig or that promote the consumption of pork or that suggest that pork is halal. That’s NOT what we do as Singaporeans. We respect each other. We don’t make fun nor offend nor provoke each other’s cultural, ethnic or religious sentiments. Even if there are Muslims who consume pork, hypothetically speaking, we Singaporeans take that as an exception rather than the rule. If such Muslims were to do it, again hypothetically speaking, they could do it within their private spheres and we Singaporeans don’t generalise that Muslims now consume pork or that pork is now halal in Islam. That’s blasphemous.

    Likewise, the organisers of this year’s pinkdot event are well aware that the lgbt lifestyle option is not Islamic and is not accepted by Muslims in Singapore. And yet, as in previous years, they keep on featuring Muslims as if the lgbt lifestyle option is part of being Muslims. Featuring Muslims as ambassadors of pinkdot and advocating that such act is laudable are instead provocative and confrontational. They know and yet again disrespect the cultural, ethnic and religious sentiments of Muslims in Singapore. They know and yet again provoke.

    Isn’t that blatantly disrespectful?
    Isn’t that outrightly confrontational?
    Isn’t that very unSingaporean?

     

    Source: Mohd Khair In We are against Pinkdot in Singapore

  • Homosexual Undergraduate Jailed And Fined For False Declaration, Blood Found Infected With HIV

    Homosexual Undergraduate Jailed And Fined For False Declaration, Blood Found Infected With HIV

    An undergraduate who falsely declared that he had not had sex with another male when donating blood was jailed for 15 weeks and fined $10,000 on Monday.

    The 23-year-old had pleaded guilty to the offence at Bloodbank@Dhoby Ghaut, Health Sciences Authority, at Dhoby Ghaut MRT station, on Dec 19, 2012.

    He cannot be named due to a gag order.

    Investigation showed that the defendant had declared that he had not “had sex with another male” when he in fact had been having a regular sexual relationship with a male partner since 2010. He also had sex with a male stranger sometime in December 2011 after a few drinks.

    The blood he donated was found to be infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus or commonly known as HIV.

    His lawyer Christine Sekhon had asked the court to consider a short detention order (SDO) for the young offender to minimise the stigma and disruption to his studies.

    But Deputy Public Prosecutor Joshua Lim said the SDO was entirely inappropriate in cases of this nature where the principles of general deterrence must apply because of issues of public health and safety.

    He reiterated that the prosecution accepts the defendant’s explanation that he donated blood only because he was asked at short notice by his two other friends to join them to donate blood.

    The sentence of jail and fine sought by the prosecution, he said, should not be seen as the prosecution taking a more charitable approach to such offences. Indeed, if an accused person uses the blood donation procedure for cynical purposes such as blood testing, the prosecution will seek a significantly higher sentence.

    To ensure that patients’ lifelines are not compromised or jeopardised, he said the court must send the unequivocal, unmistakable and unambiguous message that the law does not, cannot, and will not be lenient with a person who is economical with the truth during blood donation, and who, in doing so, puts the nation’s valuable blood supply at risk.

    District Judge Lim Keng Yeow said it is patently obvious that it is irresponsible and reprehensible to lie concerning the questions posed to potential donors.

    “Innocent persons who have to depend on donated blood should never be put in danger by what is administered to them. They and their families should never even be put in fear that the blood they receive could cause them grave harm rather than do them good,” he said.

    The maximum penalty for the offence is a $20,000 fine and two years’ jail.

     

    Source: www.straitstimes.com

  • Efforts Of Pink Dot Ambassadors Should Be Lauded, Not Condemned

    Efforts Of Pink Dot Ambassadors Should Be Lauded, Not Condemned

    I refer to the report “Varsity students to launch independent LGBT network” (May 8), in which the ambassadors for this year’s Pink Dot event were announced.

    Some activists and individuals from certain religious communities have since reacted harshly, to the extent of attacking the ambassadors’ personal character, calling them heretics and questioning their religious values.

    The outburst and name-calling are uncalled for. While religion plays a role in shaping the public’s opinion on morality issues, it should not be the only determinant.

    This is especially important in Singapore’s context of a secular and diverse society, where the views of all faiths and belief systems should be given fair consideration, even if some of these are in the minority.

    For comparison, a Muslim lawmaker in Australia, Mr Ed Husic, recently supported the legislation of same-sex marriages in the country, despite his religious convictions, because he understands the importance of the issue to the lives of some.

    The Pink Dot ambassadors speak on behalf of LGBT people and their families, transcending race, religion and social class. It is a brave effort that should be lauded, not condemned.

    It is important to not let religious-driven emotions cloud our judgment when it comes to contentious issues such as this. Otherwise, we will not be able to have discussions in a mature and civil manner.

     

    *This article was written by Hairol Salim and first appeared on Voices, Today, on 13 May 2015.

    Source: http://www.todayonline.com/

  • Pelajar Remaja Hubungan Sejenis Di Malaysia Pampangkan Gambar Meraka Di Media Sosial

    Pelajar Remaja Hubungan Sejenis Di Malaysia Pampangkan Gambar Meraka Di Media Sosial

    Tergamam seketika tatkala melihat beberapa gambar yang agak meloyakan ini. Mana tidaknya, sudahlah sejenis, dibuatnya pula sign ‘Love’ ala-ala K-Pop. Mau terbeliak biji mata dibuatnya.

    Gambar pasangan remaja songsang ini mula tersebar di laman sosial menunjukkan betapa intimnya mereka berdua.

    Remaja ini didakwa pelajar sebuah kolej swasta di Melaka ini juga tanpa segan silu ber’papa’ ‘mama’ dengan pasangannya itu serta memuat naik gambar mereka secara terbuka di laman sosial.

    Menurut sumber, gambar-gambar ini diperolehi dari aplikasi pesanan ringkas, WeChat.

    Penularan LGBT di kalangan belia semakin menjadi-jadi. Justeru, ibu bapa digesa memantau aktiviti anak-anak terutamanya telefon pintar mereka.

    Golongan belia amat mudah terpengaruh dengan benda/budaya baru. Yang mana, pada mulanya mereka hanya memberikan alasan mahu mencuba. Tetapi apabila sudah menikmati ‘kesedapan’ yang tidak terhingga, mereka akan terus menerus terjerumus lebih jauh sehingga sukar untuk kembali ke pangkal jalan.

    Mohon siapa yang mengenali pasangan songsang ini, nasihatkanlah mereka agar kembali ke pangkal jalan.

    Source: http://wowberita.org