Misconceptions of HIV And Double Standards
I am writing in reply to Dr Thio Su Mien letter dated Dec 17 2004, “Police did right in rejecting gay party”
The reader supported the police rejection of Snowball Party because she believes that such parties upset mainstream conservative values.
In creating a modern gracious society that tolerates diversity, including sexual minorities, Singaporeans need to resist and reject the mindset of “mainstream conservative values” and apply it to everyone.
Just consider this scenario. If we pander to just the “conservatives” and not tolerate the other end of the spectrum, how then can our society flourish and convince the more liberal-minded citizens to contribute?
Readers need to note that the party aforementioned is a ticketed event, which is not susceptible to the general public. Hence, the people who are attending Snowball, is likely to know the party well and unlikely to be affronted by same sex intimate behaviour. In such a situation, it is highly questionable that the average conservative Singaporean will witness any conduct that they find morally offensive.
Moreover, Fridae.com has successfully applied permits during the past few years for similar parties without any fanfare. This rejection creates doubts as to the consistency and type of standards that PELU applies to, especially with regards to large - scale events.
Dr Toh also commented that such parties encourage same sex behaviour which indirectly contributes to the HIV epidemic.
According to the Ministry of Health website, of the 138 cases reported in the first 6 months of this year, 132 cases acquired the infection through the sexual route with heterosexual transmission accounting for 65%, homosexual transmission at 23% and bisexual transmission at 8%.
It is erroneous to believe that gays are the leading cause when the straight population is not immune to the epidemic as well.
Moreover, if we are to follow along her line of argument, we will need to close down all bars, nightclubs and pubs which sees some form of close interpersonal contact, be they straight or gay, as it will lead to the spreading of HIV.
This will however be unimaginable because we do not want a Singapore that imposes draconian restrictions on its citizens.
HIV can affect anyone and should not be discriminated based on a person’s sexuality. While conservative society promotes monogamity or in certain cases, sexual abstinence, such ideals are impractical and may backfire。Hence, it needs to be preached in moderation. That is why Action for AIDS, the only AIDS advocacy group in Singapore, encourages condom use.
If Singapore is intent on building an inclusive, gracious and tolerant society, the general public and mainstream conservatives will need to stop imposing their values and double standards on the other minorities.
Charles Tan
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ST Forum
Dec 17, 2004
Police did right in rejecting gay party
THE decision of the police not to give a licence for the Christmas 'gay party' planned by Fridae.com ('It's no go for planned Christmas 'gay party' '; ST, Dec 9), as this undermines the public interest, is to be strongly commended.
Given the alarming Aids epidemic Singapore is facing, any event which would threaten to aggravate this problem and endanger the public health cannot be allowed.
The police noted in their press statement that they had noticed same-sex couples 'openly kissing and intimately touching each other' during other Fridae.com-organised events. Furthermore, they noted that the use by patrons of toilets meant for the opposite sex suggested most patrons were 'probably gays or lesbians and that the event was almost exclusively for them'.
As Straits Times Senior Writer Andy Ho noted recently: 'It is homosexuals who engaged in condomless anopenetrative sex that are culpable of spreading HIV in Singapore', causing the 'second wave of HIV here and worldwide'.
To facilitate or allow such activities to carry on unchecked would constitute a gross breach of the public trust and be highly irresponsible. The Aids problem cannot be ignored.
Blatant flaunting of homosexual activities is offensive to the conservative mainstream which wants to see enduring standards of public decency and morality upheld - it would be regressive to allow this to degenerate.
It is heartening to read that the police authorities will be scrutinising applications for similar future events with an eye to protecting the health of our nation and our social well-being. Such vigilance warrants the nation's gratitude and thanks.
Thio Su Mien (Dr)
