Don't turn controversy over HPB's FAQs into 'us' versus 'them', he says
By Melody Zaccheus, The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2014
THE controversy over the Health Promotion Board's (HPB) FAQs on sexuality should not be reduced to an "us" versus "them" issue.
Instead, Singapore should raise the level of debate, and "have a frank conversation about our approach towards homosexuality", wrote MP Hri Kumar Nair in a Facebook note last night.
Still, it is important to realise that information on sexuality should be readily available for people who need it, he said.
"While many have framed the HPB issue as a pro-gay or anti-gay one, let us not forget the reason for the HPB FAQs in the first place: there are people in our society who have questions concerning their sexuality and who are deeply affected by it. Their needs should not be ignored," he explained.
He added that HPB should not retreat from its educational role and should continue providing a channel for those seeking advice.
In November, HPB had put up a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on its website as part of its programme to educate youth on sexual issues. The FAQs feature issues such as gender identity and sexual orientation.
One of them states that same-sex relationships are "not too different" from heterosexual relationships as they both take the commitment of two people.
Since then, a debate has erupted on whether some of the information on homosexuality was appropriate.
An online petition accusing the FAQs of being "pro-homosexuality" and asking for them to be reviewed has since gathered about 21,500 signatures. A counter petition applauding the FAQs has collected about 4,600 signatures.
Religious leaders and institutions have also joined the debate.
Pastor Lawrence Khong, chairman of LoveSingapore, a network of churches, said the tone of FAQs gives an impression that HPB "condones same-sex relationships".
Pastor Lawrence Khong, chairman of LoveSingapore, a network of churches, said the tone of FAQs gives an impression that HPB "condones same-sex relationships".
On Tuesday, the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (PERGAS) voiced similar concerns.
Yesterday, Mr Nair suggested "the battle will not be resolved by the attacks that are usually associated with this issue - one side calling the other 'evil, paedophiles and deviants', and the other responding with 'ignorant, religious bigots'.
"It may be how other societies deal with such issues, but we can and should strive to be different."
He referred to his own experiences in speaking out for the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code, which criminalises homosexual sex.
His stand was based on how the law did not have "the characteristics good laws should have" and not on any "gay agenda".
Yet that did not stop him from being criticised by one side of the debate and hailed by the other.
Both camps, he said, want the Government to give legitimacy to their causes, in a "battle that is not unique to Singapore", citing the example of Canada, which has recognised gay marriage, while others such as Russia have enacted anti-gay laws.
But the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP said this is not an issue the Government can lead in, and it is up to society to figure out its own direction.
"And as time passes, as attitudes change and our knowledge of such matters grows, that direction will invariably change as well."
EVOLVING DIALOGUE
As time passes, as attitudes change and our knowledge of such matters grows, that direction will invariably change as well.
- MP Hri Kumar Nair, on the controversy over the Health Promotion Board's Frequently Asked Questions dealing with homosexuality. He said that it was up to society to figure out its own direction
Focus should be on importance of traditional family unit: PERGAS
By Melody Zaccheus, The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2014
By Melody Zaccheus, The Straits Times, 15 Feb 2014
THE Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (PERGAS) has expressed its disappointment with the Health Promotion Board's (HPB) online FAQs on homosexuality.
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) could "be construed by some as tacit support in normalising same-sex relations", PERGAS' statement on Tuesday said.
It added that the FAQs are "insensitive towards the prevailing view of the Singaporean society".
PERGAS cited a recent Institute of Policy Studies survey, which found that 78.2 per cent of Singaporeans have conservative views of same-sex relationships.
The association also said HPB's message should instead be "directed at the importance of the traditional family unit".
"We hope that HPB will be more sensitive when it comes to this issue in the future and take into account views from Muslim scholars and religious bodies such as PERGAS and the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis)," said executive director Ustaz Mohammad Yusri Yubhi Md Yusoff.
PERGAS noted that, in line with Islam's teachings on love and mercy, it was not ostracising lesbians, gays, bisexuals or transgenders.
During yesterday's sermon at mosques here, Muis emphasised the sacredness of the family unit, as part of the focus this year on building resilient families in the Singapore Muslim community.
Asked about PERGAS' comments, an HPB spokesman reiterated that the family remains the basic building block of society, and that the board "appreciates and notes" feedback from parties who have shared their views.
She said the views will be useful in the board's "continual review" of its public education resources, especially for programmes that touch on sexuality.
Objectors can post own FAQs on sexuality
PASTOR Lawrence Khong and the Singapore Islamic Scholars and Religious Teachers Association (Pergas) are certainly welcome to their points of view ("Raise level of debate on sexuality issues: MP Nair"; last Saturday).
However, it is inappropriate for a government agency such as the Health Promotion Board (HPB) to use religious doctrine as a basis for giving information on matters relating to health and wellness, since Singapore is a secular state.
The HPB has done a good job in seeking out the latest and best informed professional opinions on issues of sexuality, and reflecting that information in its Frequently Asked Questions.
Its FAQs are not that different from similar information provided by such professional organisations as the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
I suggest that Mr Khong, Pergas and others who disagree with the HPB's information develop their own FAQs or other positional statements on sexuality, and post these on their websites. This will allow them to express their beliefs and provide alternative views.
The HPB's FAQs, however, should remain available to the public as they represent the best informed opinion from a secular, professional point of view.
George D. Bishop (Dr)
ST Forum, 18 Feb 2014
ST Forum, 18 Feb 2014