No to LGBT discrimination

What Amanda has failed to realize is that we are not advocating our sexuality to the general public but asking the legislators to decriminalize homosexual act. They are two different things and it is often confused or conflated by those who are not familiar with these issues.

December 6th, 2014 | by The Independent

By LGBT Activist

I refer to Amanda Lee’s article, “LGBT Activists, stop your hooliganism!.” it smacks of homophobia and reflects the kind of discrimination faced by the LGBT community here and around the world.

What Amanda has failed to realize is that we are not advocating our sexuality to the general public but asking the legislators to decriminalize homosexual act. They are two different things and it is often confused or conflated by those who are not familiar with these issues.

Making a stand is not hooliganism, it is a way of generating awareness. The LGBT Activists have successfully brought these issues to the fore. If not for the petitioning from the LGBT community and the holding of placards at the Human Rights seminar, the general public would not have been aware of the kind of discrimination that we face today.

There is a reason why some countries have gone ahead to decriminalize homosexuals. And it is not because of materialism or capitalism. It is done to ensure no group is precluded from participating in the economy as a result of their sexual orientation. This is just and equitable.

The problem with discrimination of homosexuals especially at the workplace or in business is that they not given equal opportunities to participate in the workforce. This is not fair for people like me.

I do run into people like Amanda from time to time and I’m enraged by what they say. I’m tempted to lash out at them but I also know that it’s not going to help if I behave as obnoxiously as them.

It is in time like these that I choose to take the high road, to sit them down and explain to them that the world is large enough for all types of people and there is no need to discriminate based on race, colour or sexuality.

Lastly, I wish thank Amanda for giving me the opportunity to come out and put my opinion out there in the public domain.

This is a user contributed article and does not represent the views of TISG

SOURCE theindependent.sg