Archives for December 2016

On media coverage of LGBT issues

28 December 2016 by

A student working on his thesis project requested our opinion about how the lack of diversified representation in mainstream media affects the perception of LGBTQ people in Singapore. This is our email reply:

The Humanist Society is not a prominent local LGBTQ organisation. It is an organisation dedicated to issues concerning the non-religious segment of Singapore’s population.

However, we have spoken up on national issues such as laws concerning homosexuality as the debate often involves scientific evidence and Singapore’s secular space, two areas which we are concerned about. In addition, Section 377a criminalises a significant proportion of gay men whose own religious beliefs do not conflict with homosexuality, or who are non-religious. Section 377a also applies to homosexual Humanists and freethinkers, whose community and beliefs are supportive of their relationships.

The Humanist Society does not track recent media coverage of LGBTQ topics nor study the invisibility of some parts of the community. However, based on our general observations, the Singapore government is aware that the conservative majority in Singapore are still uncomfortable with the LGBTQ community. The impact of this majority can be seen in many policies, including media policies set by national regulators such as the IMDA.

This results in the lack of positive coverage for LGBTQ individuals on visual mediums such as TV. However, for cinema and print, in general, there’s more space for neutral or positive portrayals of LGBTQ individuals. The government adopts a light touch with regards to internet regulation and LGBTQ communities have used the internet and social media extensively for publicity. The Humanist Society itself has also written extensively to newspaper forums.

We do not know how exactly media portrayal of LGBTQ individuals has affected public perception of LGBTQ community in Singapore. There could be other factors influencing public perceptions, such as religious beliefs, personal experience, the lack of information about LGBTQ within sexuality education in schools, and the continued existence of section 377a itself.

Large numbers of Singaporeans trust the mainstream media, despite the rise of alternate media. The 2012 Edelman Trust Barometer has found that 65 percent of the informed public in Singapore trust the media — an increase from 59 per cent in 2011. Thus, the mainstream media still has considerable impact in informing public’s view of LGBTQ communities.

The Humanist Society hopes there can be a gradual increase in space to raise awareness of and respect for LGBTQ persons through public education and media coverage. LGBTQ persons, including children, are often subject to arbitrary discrimination, bullying and harassment, because of personal prejudices and ignorance. The impact of LGBTQ discrimination is also greatly felt by the friends and family of LGBTQ persons, who share in their struggle for acceptance.

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RSIS Event Report: Offence, Blasphemy and Humanism in Singapore

23 December 2016 by

HSS President Paul Tobin delivered a workshop titled “Offense, Blasphemy and Humanism in Singapore”, part of a workshop organised by the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) which is part of NTU’s S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and supported by the National Security Coordination Secretariat (NSCS) which is part of the Singapore Prime Minister’s Office.

RSIS wrote up our talk in their event report.

https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/RSIS-Social-Fault-Lines-HR.pdf

HSS did a separate writeup here:

https://humanist.org.sg/withstanding-the-offense-quake/

Snapshot of article:



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Tatt Si’s speech at the EU Delegation to Singapore

10 December 2016 by

lreuhrd_1204

Our President Tan Tatt Si delivered this speech at a dialogue regarding the ‘Freedom of religion or belief in Singapore and ASEAN’, organised by the EU Delegation to Singapore on Dec 9, 2016, at Raffles Hotel. Photos courtesy of European Union Delegation to Singapore. [Read more…]

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Jerry Coyne at Yale-NUS College

9 December 2016 by

Written by Nic Das, photos and video by Tatt Si

Professor Jerry Coyne took part in a dialogue regarding evolution, science and faith at Yale-NUS college. Dr Philip Johns from Yale-NUS moderated the dialogue, held on the evening of November 1, 2016. During the dialogue, Dr Coyne argued that the scientific method and religions are incompatible means of understanding the world. It is also difficult to separate science and religion into two neat categories answering different life questions because religious makes scientific statements. Dr Coyne also addressed several questions during the QnA segment.

[Read more…]

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White Ribbon Letters: Letter to Jay

1 December 2016 by

In 2016, the Association of Women for Action and Research (Aware) launched White Ribbon Letters, an initiative to encourage men to pen their thoughts about creating a more gender-equal and violence-free world for a young boy or man in their life. It encourages men to be positive role models for the young men and boys in their lives by redefining masculinity and manhood in more compassionate and inclusive terms. Our President Tan Tatt Si (left) contributed by writing this letter to his eldest son, Jay (centre). Tatt Si’s wife, Betty Chew, is seated right.

You can view the original letter in PDF or read the letter below:

“Dear Jay, my first born,

Since mom revealed she was pregnant with you 22 years ago, I’ve watched you grown. You, and younger brother Jin’s arrivals are the happiest moments of our lives.

Father-son relationships are special, and grandpa and I are still very close. A man of a bygone age, his prejudices run deep, and some of these memes rubbed off on me, e.g. wanting a male offspring to carry on the family name, when a girl is just as much blood line. Gramps has never been physically abusive, something that I appreciate and deliver the same to Jin & you. Violence tend to run in families with a history of that. “Do unto others what you want others to do unto you”, the Golden Rule says.

You were a lively boy, getting into trouble when given a chance. As a toddler, you once smacked an older Malay girl on her back. Besides shocked, I was bewildered, wondering where mom and I had gone wrong ? Racism, ageism, misogyny, what was it? Eventually, we felt your action was “innate”, for you also had a similar tyrannical hold over Jin then. However, you grew into a caring older brother. This is when I knew you learned the Silver Rule: “Don’t do unto others what you don’t want to be done unto yourself .”

A society is defined by how it treats its weak; a person, by how much restraint he wields when he has power. You will learn, as you meet more people, to savour differences, and to forge commonalities.

Being alone in the UK can be daunting, but we know you are now fully equipped to deal with the challenges in life. Temptations are part of life, and you must guard yourself and others, always. A few pints at the pub may sound innocuous, but be vigilant of herd mentality and peer pressure, especially when drunken women feel like easy preys. Never just be concerned about what is legal, but about what might be hurtful, to others and to yourself.

Rules and edicts these are not, not from a father to a son at this new stage of our relationship. I find comfort that the young man reading this letter now, will question things and internalise the conclusions, and the resulting actions will be honourable, and with dignity.

Love, Papa ”

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