In my previous post, I mentioned that Singapore is not a Christian society but a pluralistic one of which members include atheists, agnostics, Buddhists, Hindus, Taoists, Muslims, and so on. My previous blog-post pointed out a Buddhist Perspective on homosexuality. Below is an open letter to Singapore's Law Minister written by The Humanist Society (Singapore) comprising mostly atheists and agnostics. It shows the perspective of The Humanist Society (Singapore) towards homosexuality and S377A which criminalises sex between men.
In short, Singapore's Humanist Society finds no moral problem with homosexuality and supports the repeal of S377A.
From the previous post on Buddhism's support of homosexuality and from this post on Humanism's embrace of the same issue, this means that the views of those Christians who finds homosexuality immoral is not the only mainstream view of the issue in Singapore.
The Humanist Society (Singapore)
Mr K Shanmugam
Minister for Foreign Affairs
Minister for Law
21 Jan 2013
Dear Minister K Shanmugam,
The Humanist Society (Singapore) was heartened to hear about your
meeting with members of Sayoni, (a Singapore-based community of lesbian,
bisexual and transgender women) on 27th November 2012. We support your
decision to connect with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT)
citizens as a constituent part of our society who contribute to our
economy, protect our citizens and serve our country.
The Humanist Society (Singapore)(HSS) is a registered society in
Singapore for humanists, freethinkers, atheists, agnostics and other
like-minded people. Humanism is a non-theistic ethical life stance
affirming the human right and responsibility to give meaning and shape
to their own lives. It stands for the building of a more humane society
through an ethics based on a spirit of reason and free inquiry through
human capabilities. As part of our objectives, we seek to uphold the
importance of maintaining secular space in the interest of social
harmony, and we encourage respect for all men and women to be free from
discrimination on the basis of race, religion, class, disability,
gender, sexual orientation, age, or nationality.
Over the last decade, an increasing body of scientific evidence has
demonstrated that sexual orientation is part of the human biological
make-up that an individual has no conscious choice over. The
legalization of homosexuality and same sex/gender unions in many
countries has also demonstrated that homosexual relationships are as
healthy and normal as any heterosexual relationship. Consequently, many
countries, including ASEAN countries and international bodies like the
United Nations, are calling for the decriminalization of homosexuality
and the removal of policies discriminatory to LGBT persons. The HSS
supports the review and repeal of Section 377a of the Penal Code, as a
move that would put Singapore in line with international progress and
standards.
We recognize that there are fellow citizens who continue to object to
homosexuality based solely on their personal religious beliefs. While
we recognize their right to do so, Section 377a criminalizes a
significant proportion of gay men whose own religious beliefs do not
conflict with homosexuality, or who are non-religious. We would like to
highlight that Section 377a also applies to LGBT Humanists and
free-thinkers, whose community and beliefs are supportive of their
relationships. We applaud our Government’s efforts in maintaining
Singapore as a secular state that respects people of all religions.
Therefore, we call on the Government to repeal Section 377a. Legislation
based on religious beliefs that are not shared by many Singaporeans
should not have any place in our secular state. DPM Teo Chee Hean
addressed Parliament recently in Oct 2012 that the government accepts
the need to keep religion and politics separate in Singapore and the HSS
agrees with that principle.
We also wish to highlight that LGBT persons, including children, are
often subject to arbitrary discrimination, bullying and harassment,
because of personal prejudices and ignorance. We appeal to the
Government for greater space to raise awareness of and respect for LGBT
persons through public education. The impact of LGBT discrimination is
also greatly felt by the friends and family of LGBT persons, who share
in their struggle for acceptance. As long as Section 377a exists, those
of us who love and support our LGBT family and friends could even be
found guilty of abetting their criminal activities.
We have been encouraged by the Government’s strong stance against
racial and religious intolerance, whether at an institutional level, or
as a result of personal prejudice. We hope that such a stance against
intolerance can also be extended to the LGBT community. LGBT persons are
only seeking to live their lives without the fear of persecution just
as non-LGBT persons do.
In the recent National Day 2012 Message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong highlighted the need for Singaporeans to work together to build an
inclusive society with a heart. In line with PM Lee’s message, we hope
that this is the first step to achieving our goal of inclusiveness and
non-discrimination.
Mark Kwan
President
Humanist Society (Singapore)
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