I am writing in regards to the sensitive topic of LGBT. I understand that some of you may not support it, or that some of you are downright against it/sitting on the fence, therefore I hope some of my insights and thoughts might affect your opinion towards LGBT.
I know that I may receive harsh criticism for this, but I felt that I needed to share my thoughts and perhaps, even if it is little, make a change.
Firstly, I would like to start off with a simple question: How has LGBT affected you? What did the gays and lesbians do to you?
Personally, I have a bestfriend who is gay. He has not been a negative influence on me, in fact, he brought great joy and fun in my life. And I am still straight, for your info. That is why I am upset that he cannot freely love his partner and has to migrate out just to marry him. For those who say that man and man, woman and woman are unnatural, let me pose you a question. Can you decide who you love? Can you decide how your sexual orientation turns out? The answer is no. They didn't ask to be gay. You didn't ask to be straight. And if you think it is unnatural for two people to love each other, even though they may be unable to procreate, then what about us? If you think about it, has mankind ever been natural? We cut down trees, wear clothes, talk. We innovate, build, and use technology. How is any of that natural?
In the past, discrimination against the African Americans were rife. Slavery was found everywhere, but then people managed to defeat this. They managed to liberate a huge number of slaves and make slavery illegal! Therefore, why can't we do the same thing? We can make a difference! Change comes about everyday, be it in a small or a huge way. It is time to let go of our traditional thinking, and advance to become better humans. I may be naive, but I believe that all Singaporeans are kind-hearted, gracious, accepting and open-minded. For those who are still against LGBT, I am not asking you to suddenly become accepting of them, but rather let them do what they want. Who are we, mere humans, to decide what others do in their private life? Think of your current lover or crush. Imagine, if you were not allowed to love them because of others. How would you feel? This is a question of empathy.
Let me give you an example. You do not like this person, but do you go out of your way to bully them? You do not like to eat durians, but others do, do you go out of your way to convince them that they HAVE to stop eating durians as well? I think you get my point. You may not like something, but you do not have to force your opinion on others. The same goes to me, I cannot force my opinion on you. However, what I hope you can do is to let the LGBT people do their own thing. Leave them alone, stop the hate.
Regarding Section 377a, I am not a lawyer. But I know one thing - that everyone deserves human rights and to love who they love freely. It is unsightly to oppress people. Furthermore, I have always known that laws were made for the betterment of civilisation. To govern how we live and to give us peaceful lives. Therefore, I do not understand how LGBT, LOVE has affected us in any negative way? How will it bring our society to a downfall? Is love supposed to be criminalised? Discrimination is wrong, I think we all know that.
I am but a 16-year-old. I do not understand many things. But I have hope for the future. I believe, strongly, that we change for the better. I love Singaporeans, and I believe that they are gracious. But, as I have mentioned before, I cannot force my opinions on anyone. If after reading this you still do not want to even allow LGBT to happen, I understand. However, I hope that most of you will be able to have the courage to stand up for these people, the suppressed. I am willing to, even though I may face harsh insults, because I know how it feels like not being able to live your life freely.
Kudos,
:) Young
TRS Contributor