"Optimists hope that the decriminalisation of gay sex — a yawn to anyone except the homophobic and the gays themselves — will eventually occur. In reality, rather than in law, gays in Singapore today have never had it so good, and should within a short time, become fully-accepted — not just tolerated — members of an increasingly diverse, and therefore vibrant, Singapore community. But if we pat ourselves on the back for being so “bold” as to accept casinos and Formula 1 events into staid Singapore, why can’t the boldness extend to a simple act to enable gays to realise their dream — indeed, their simple right — to be normal Singaporeans like anyone else, no more and no less."
Afterthought:
1. A blogger hopes that more such "alternative views" about how Singapore should go forward will be expressed by other prominent persons in Singapore.
2. Pink is now a colour associated with the homosexual community. For example, there is the Pink Paper, "Britain’s only national lesbian, gay and bisexual newspaper and the biggest circulating gay publication of any kind in the country". This association to pink has its roots in the Pink Triangle, which "was used by the Nazis in concentration camps to identify and shame homosexuals" and "has been embraced by the gay community as a symbol of pride".
3. Yesterday, about three days after Ho's views were published, the Prime Minister of Singapore speaking at the Forbes Global CEO Conference showed why pink is in.
4. Ho noted in his article that "gays are seen to be at the leading edge of the “creative class” — which Singapore is trying to develop as part of its new knowledge-based, creativity-oriented economy".
5. Perhaps, the creative minds, if any, behind PM Lee Hsien Loong's image are indeed sending a message out to Singapore and the world. What more pragmatic way to have it expressed than at the Forbes Global CEO Conference.
6. For reasons I have made known in the past, it is time for Section 377A of the Penal Code to go.
Happiness,
Dharmendra Yadav
Please consider the environment - do you really need to print this?
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