as taken of sintercom here

Illogical comments by minister of state

Letter submitted to the Straits Times on 31 October 2005, refused by the newspaper on 3 Nov 2005.

To the Editor
I refer to the interview the Straits Times conducted with Minister of State Ho Peng Kee on 28 Oct 2005, specifically his comments about gays.



He repeats the claim that Singapore is a conservative society. This claim is suspect firstly because large numbers of Singaporeans think homophobia and discrimination is wrong, and secondly because the government itself, through its own censorship policies deny fair representation of gay people and modern views. To shape public opinion this way, and then claim that public opinion clamours for homophobic policies is disingenuous.

It was quite stunning to read that he feels heterosexuals should not be impeded by the law when it comes to non-procreative oral sex, and "even if they do it outside of marriage, it is still man and woman, which is still part of this mateship," yet he thinks our laws criminalising what gay people do in private should stay, even when they are in committed relationships.

It is extremely difficult to reconcile his views with the Prime Minister's assurance that the government is not homophobic.

The view that only heterosexuality is "natural" is a construct from the time of St Augustine (4th century). It is disputed among biblical scholars. It not universally accepted among Christians today, let alone other religions despite Ho's claim that "all the main religions in Singapore believe it's how we are made."

Just recently, a highly acclaimed Buddhist monk gave a talk to thousands at Bright Hill making it clear that homophobia, which is a form of hate and ill-will, is against Buddhist teaching.

Ho also used the slippery slope argument against repeal of anti-gay laws, when he said, "Once you move, where do you go to? So you'll talk about not just gay sex but also gay marriages, then gay adoptions..."

Throughout history, the slippery slope argument has been used every time anyone suggested any social progress. It was used when education for girls was first mooted, when giving the vote to women or to non-whites were first raised, when abolition of slavery was suggested.

The funny thing is, human civilisation gained strength with each of these moves despite initial fears.
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Background ? the relevant questions and answers from the Straits Times interview with Ho Peng Kee, by reporter Li Xueying, published 28 Oct 2005:

ST: Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) review of the Penal Code will be out at the end of this year. One aspect mentioned previously is the law on oral sex. Is it likely to be decriminalised?

Ho: That one we're looking at. Some of these laws were drafted in the past, so we have to contextualise some of these laws because society changes. It's a big exercise. The various ministries are still working on some of the details.

ST: What's your personal take?

Ho: My personal take is that between men and women, if you are an adult and there's no force, then what you do in the privacy of your bedroom that has no impact on the public, then you do what you want.

ST: What about gay sex?

Ho: We're still a conservative society. It's a slippery slope. Once you move, where do you go to? So you'll talk about not just gay sex but also gay marriages, then gay adoptions...

ST: But using the same argument, that you can do what you want in the privacy of your bedroom?
Ho: That's different because I think men and women having sex is natural. And it is also in a sense consistent with the whole idea of marriage. Of course even if they do it outside of marriage, it is still man and woman, which is still part of this mateship.

ST: As a Christian, do your religious beliefs affect you in your decision making?

Ho: You have to make decisions according to policies, what is right for Singapore, and Singapore is secular.

But as a mature religious person, your values are internalised. That's how you act, speak, present yourself. But you don't think, oh, as a Christian, what should this policy be?

At temples for instance, I attend festivals and so on, just that I don't hold joss sticks.

ST: You said gay sex is 'not natural'. Is that something that comes out of your religious beliefs?

Ho: Yes, could be. Well, I won't attribute it directly. I look at it more as a family bedrock thing, that a family is based on a man and a woman. I think all the main religions in Singapore believe it's how we are made.

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we must all stand up and do something. this panopticon is suffocating! join me my dear friends!