ST Online Forum: Don't over-estimate the influence of gay themes in the media (Sept 4)

Sep 4, 2007
Don't over-estimate the influence of gay themes in the media

I refer to Joseph Chia Yoong Leong's letter, 'Gay musical should have
come with rating' (ST, Sep 1, 2007).

While it may seem prudent to provide a rating for performances that
feature sub-plots involving homosexuality, I feel this is only a
temporary measure, casting a thicker haze over some issues we should
have considered long ago.

There exists a mentality in society all the way through to the
administration that over-estimates the influence of media. It
discounts the role of parenting, culture and increasing media
savviness of Singaporeans.

Second, Mr Chia's letter exposes a very common misunderstanding. Most
see homosexuality as merely a behaviour that can be rectified through
discipline, be it through counselling, stigmatisation or, many years
ago, shock treatment.

What most of us fail to understand is that homosexuality is a sexual
identity, manifesting itself as a specific sexual preference. Mr Lee
Kuan Yew himself believes it is a biological trait.

As such, a straight person encountering a homosexual person will not
become homosexual.

There are social and religious institutional impediments to
understanding the notion of sexual identity.

These create a selective reading of the issue, putting to waste
reasoning and larger relevant information, both of which could have
empowered us with a wider view of our society and lives.

There are a lot media programmes accessible to children that feature
violence, retaliation, martyrdom, suicide and death. What puzzles me
is the obsession over morality and values, which are subjective and
varied across communities and families, rather than focusing on issues
related to life, death and violence.

There is a serious over-estimation of the role of the media, as well
as the perceived harmful influence of homosexual people.

Are we making decisions based on the love for our children or for the
maintenance of our predispositions and ignorance?

Ho Chi Sam

ST Forum: 'Gay' musical should have come with rating (Sept 1)

ST Forum,
'Gay' musical should have come with rating
September 1, 2007

Recently, my family and I attended the Chinese musical, If There're Seasons..., by The Theatre Practice at the Drama Centre. By and large, it was a good production featuring various familiar songs written by local composer Liang Wern Fook.

While it was a good production, I was very disturbed by part of the story. One of the characters, Ah Qiang played by Sebastian Tan, turned out to have been jilted by his boyfriend in a homosexual relationship. His boyfriend then came back to woo Ah Qiang with love songs pledging his unending love, and even gave up his heterosexual marriage and his relationship with his parents, in order to be with Ah Qiang again.

Given that Ah Qiang was not the main character, and that the homosexual relationship was not even the main story, I wonder if it was necessary for them to be included.

I was even more disturbed because there were many schoolchildren, perhaps on an excursion trip, and families with young children among the audience. The children may not have the maturity to understand the implications of such a controversial subject.

When I checked the musical's website, as well as ticket-seller Sistic's website, there was no rating or information to warn audiences of the musical's content. No wonder there were so many children and families in the audience.

Perhaps this is an area the Censorship Board needs to look into.

Joseph Chia Yoong Leong