I know that this is rather last minute but still, sign the online petition now. It's for a fantatstic cause and I know you want to. Sign it by today 21 October 2007!
DISCLAIMER: I COPIED EVERYTHING FROM MY SISTER'S BLOG SO EVERYTHING HERE IS TYPED BY HER UNLESS STATED SO(:
Find out more information at Singapore, Repeal 377A Now!
The Penal Code of Singapore, in Section 377a, provides for a jail sentence for up to two years should a man be found to have committed an act of “gross indecency” with another man.
What right do we have to impose our views on what is right or wrong on others. We are multi-racial and meritocratic. We have became a nation tolerant of each other’s cultures and religions, yet doing this shows that we are unable to tolerate others sexual orientation. Ironic. I vaguely recall a speech by a local minister saying that the government will learn to be more accepting of homosexuals. Right.
Pro-gay or against injustice? You can say that I am both. Pro-gay to me means being accepting and tolerant of others who are different from me. Against injustice is what I have always stood for. So whichever stand you choose, do show your support. After all, this is our country and we should stand up for what we believe in.
I guess online petitions would generally be scoffed at. I know I used to. There was a recent article in the local newspaper where a reporter seemed rather dismissive of online petitions or facebook groups set up to garner support for various causes. But there are people who have put in time and effort to do up these sites (especially a stand-alone site like repeal377a.com), so the least we can do is show our support, especially if it is a cause that you feel strongly about.
Whatever it is, spead the message if you would like to gather support. If not, there are always plenty of other causes out there. I am sure you will find one that you care about. Feel free to volunteer your time and effort towards a worthy cause. I know I will in the future =)
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10 October 2007
Straits Times
Online campaign to repeal gay sex law
By Chua Hian Hou
An online campaign urging the Government to repeal a law criminalising gay sex has collected more than 2,200 signatures since it started last Friday.
Most who have signed the open letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at www.repeal377a.com are anonymous, but at least 800 have stated what appears to be their real name and about 100 reveal where they work.
The site’s spokesman, Mr Alan Seah, 44, said the online letter was set up by ‘about 20 concerned individuals’ who felt the section of the law is ‘discriminatory and not good for Singapore’.
The former nightclub owner said the group comprised men and women in their 20s to 40s, both homosexuals and heterosexuals.
Under Section 377A of the Penal Code, it is a crime for men to have sex with each other, whether in public or in private.
In its latest Penal Code review, completed last month, the Government decided to keep the status quo on the gay sex law.
A Home Affairs Ministry spokesman said this recognised that Singapore is ‘a generally conservative society’, though the Government would not actively prosecute people under that section of the law.
Those signing the petition were encouraged to state their name, voting constituency, occupation and the company they work for.
While most chose to stay anonymous, many gave their name, stated what they work as and named their employer too.
The signatories range from multi-national company executives to engineers and teachers, as well as several arts personalities, people working in the media and civil society activists.
A 31-year-old Singaporean government scholar working in a statutory board told The Straits Times he is gay and does not expect any repercussions for revealing his name and his employer on the petition.
If there are, he said, ’so be it. I have enough credibility in my area of work that this would not be an issue’. He did not wish to be named in this report.
Research assistant Low Soo Mei, 25, said she signed because she felt sad that her homosexual friends should have to ‘live in fear that they can be prosecuted’.
Gay activist Alex Au said he was pleased with the response and applauded those who gave their name, but noted that online petitions do not have a track record for effectiveness.
Mr Seah found it understandable that most prefer to stay anonymous, although that hurts the campaign’s credibility.
The campaign is expected to get a boost from arts figures like Pamela Oei, Hossan Leong, Beatrice Chia and Mark Richmond, who are producing a rap song which will go onto video-sharing website YouTube within the next few days, said Mr Seah.
He said the petition will be taken offline on Oct 19, and the names of the signatories consolidated and sent to the Prime Minister’s Office.
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Rap Song by Local Celebrities