Test 2

Please select your preferred language.

請選擇你慣用的語言。

请选择你惯用的语言。

English
中文简体
台灣繁體
香港繁體

登入

記住我

初到 Fridae?

Fridae Mobile

Advertisement
Highlights

More About Us

新聞&特寫

« 較新的 | 較舊的 »
8 Jun 2015

PM Lee says Singapore is not ready for same-sex marriage

In an interview last week, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed that the country is not ready for same-sex marriage as society is still too conservative.

However, gay people have the space to live their lives in Singapore, he said. "We do not harass them or discriminate against them," he added while replying to a journalist from the Philippines who was interviewing him with other ASEAN journalists at an interview session with South East Asian journalists about the South East Asian Games .


Mr Lee noted that same-sex marriage is gaining acceptance in some developed countries such as Britain, and some states in the United States. He added, "even in America, there is very strong pushback from conservative groups". He compared this to Singapore including "religious groups who push back," which he said "is completely understandable."


PM Lee told the journalists: "The Government view is that where we are is not a bad place to be." He also said: "There is space for the gay community, but they should not push the agenda too hard because if they (do), there will be a very strong pushback."


In the 2011 book Hard Truths To Keep Singapore Going, Singapore's first Prime Minister, the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, PM Lee's father, said he believed homosexuality is in a person's genes: "Some people are that way and just leave them be." Mr Lee Kuan Yew also said homosexuality is "already accepted in China - it's a matter of time before it's accepted here."

Organizers of the annual Pink Dot rally, which attracted 26,000 people last year, have put out an open invitation for Lee to attend the upcoming rally on June 13 to "meet with the individuals, families, and loving couples who form a vibrant part of Singapore's social fabric."

讀者回應

1. 2015-06-08 21:15  
It always amazes me at how often the "not ready" card is played in a national leader's justification for maintaining a negative status quo. Simply tragic.
2. 2015-06-08 21:28  
Main reason is because economic. I am not agree with you. You are the best in Southeast Asia and you must lead others.
3. 2015-06-08 22:07  
Such a coward. Apparently leadership is not his strong suit.
4. 2015-06-09 00:15  
Oh dear, such a good looking... HOT PM Lee..., so coward than valiant? This reminds of Shakespeare's play..."cowards die many times before their actual death, but valiant never tastes death but once..".!!

Meaning this man is dying many times as coward..no guts to be ruler or head of the State. We also call to such a character - "chicken hearted" LoL. Grow up PM Lee, you are too good looking to be so CLUMSY in decent gay society in this world. You will not loose anything in being compassionate towards gay people, we are humans like any other people dude!!!
5. 2015-06-09 02:31  
Who is he to decide what the people of Singapore are ready for... Does he speak for the masses.

In this situation, I am willing to bet the people are more ready then he knows... the changes in USA prove this... look how fast we adopted gay marriage here. No one expected that either.

6. 2015-06-09 14:50  
His honesty is obviously too challenging for those already commented.

The stubborn will challenge his view and say they are ready. This politician will speed things up and calm the waters at the same time.

It's a shame the world is full of idiots, but I'm happy to tolerate them.

Just why to some gay people think they should have the instant right to hurt others sensitivities? It's extremely selfish.
7. 2015-06-09 18:16  
Aren't the Filipino reporter jumping the gun here? sex between men is still illegal in the books in Singapore and here he is asking about gay marriage??? He should have use that questioning opportunity to ask tactful questions to help gay men in Singapore instead ....such as when will the PM help to stop discrimination against gay men in Singapore by repealing section 377A first?
修改於2015-06-09 18:28:34
8. 2015-06-09 18:44  
“The caged bird sings with a fearful trill of things unknown but longed for still”
Maya Angelou
9. 2015-06-09 22:16  
and to think i spent my tourist dollars there as a gay man
they certainly did not discriminate me for that!
so therefore i wont be visiting there again until full acceptance.
10. 2015-06-10 03:40  
The issue is pushing the gay agenda over and above that of others. True love (heterosexual or homosexual) does not need marriage (a man made institution) to justify legalize or recognize it as love.
11. 2015-06-10 05:44  
Yeah, but it's a great way for activists to twist people's minds.

Tolerance of all things is the only way.

And if you don't follow this you shall be shot!! :-)
12. 2015-06-10 12:52  
@nauk888 Its not about 2 people loving and committing that is the matter. It is the Symbol and what it represents that is the issue here.....Marriage is the ultimate barrier of discrimination against gays. Frankly I think a lot of gay people don't really care about marriage. But a lot supported that ideal as an sign of the ultimate dismantling of a last and ultimate barrier of oppression of gays for thousands of years by the religious institutions. Not unlike the demolishing of the Berlin wall....
修改於2015-06-10 13:08:09
13. 2015-06-10 14:43  
Nothing like the Berlin wall
14. 2015-06-12 10:20  
"... [S]ame-sex marriage is gaining acceptance in some developed countries such as Britain, and some states in the United States ..." Duh! "Some"? Why doesn't PM Lee reference Canada, where same sex marriage has been legal for 10 years? Does this make Canada less or more developed than Britain and the U.S.? I would respectfully suggest that the answer is: MORE developed. Maybe PM Lee should check out this web site: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/landscape/entry/c/international

"The Freedom to Marry Internationally" website doesn't list Singapore anywhere. Hmmm .... seems as though Singapore sadly falls into the "less developed" category with respect to this basic human right.
15. 2015-06-14 18:50  
Dude is such a coward. VERY unlike his legendary dad *R.I.P & Respect to LKY*
修改於2015-06-14 18:51:37
16. 2015-06-27 11:09  
"However, gay people have the space to live their lives in Singapore, he said. We do not harass them or discriminate against them,"

Hmm..it is obvious that the word to discriminate has two different meanings in Singapore. What a statement!

Pitcairn Island, with a population of just 50 people, has legalised same-sex marriage to help bring the remote community into the modern age. (SCMP, June 26 2015 page A12). What amazing group of people! (Australia please take note!).

Singapore is far and far away from what a true developed community means, where the word 'to discriminate' has only one meaning.

請先登入再使用此功能。

請選擇新聞及專欄版本

精選個人檔案

Now ALL members can view unlimited profiles!

Languages

View this page in a different language:

讚好

合作夥伴

 ILGA Asia - Fridae partner for LGBT rights in Asia IGLHRC - Fridae Partner for LGBT rights in Asia

Advertisement