A forum jointly organised by the Independent Singapore and GLBT Voices tackled issues relating to the gay community in Singapore and beyond. The event, taking place on 16 July, sought to allow different groups to engage in direct conversation.

Panelists included Viswa Sadasivan, former Nominated Member of Parliament and a television production, communications training and strategic consultant, Pauline Ong, an executive pastor at Free Community Church, Crispus Ratnam a born again evangelical Christian and founder of Worldwide Victories, and Nicholas Lim who is the founder and administrator of Singapore’s GLBT Voices.

The panelists were asked to comment on such topics as their opinion on the LGBT community and the place of free speech. They also discussed Singapore’s anti-gay law Section 377A and how they conceived marriage.

“I thought this was an excellent platform to present each other’s views in a civil and mature ways,” said one participant of the dialogue.

The conversation remained divisive, however, with Crispus Ratnam commenting that “homosexuality is an epidemic that is affecting the human race.”